GAP Dogs had 9 service dogs out training in the Southwest Plaza Mall last night. We started out at the entrance to Sears where we were given our instructions. “As always feel free to support these businesses by shopping in their stores, but remember your first objective is training. Please enter at least 2 stores while you are here. We are working on heeling, long stays, and leave it. This is also a great opportunity to practice using an elevator and there is a pet store located at the other end of the mall. Okay everyone have a good time!”
Everyone walked clear down to the other side of the mall. All the way to the pet store. It was full of all kinds of puppies. While I personally don’t like to see puppies for sale at the mall, it was a great opportunity for all the dogs to work on ignoring distractions. So of course we took advantage of it, by touring the store a few at a time. Most of the dogs did pretty well.
On our way back, we found several benches that were perfect to have the dogs practice lying beneath them. We put each of the dogs under a bench, asking them to stay. A few dogs weren’t too sure they wanted to get under those benches. Once they were under the benches though they all did an excellent job on a long down stay.
