I started with one of the older service dogs in training, the houndiest looking/acting lab I’ve ever met, then walked a puppy and an older adolescent with the apprentice trainer when he got back from work. It was great! I’m finally getting a feel for the way they do things, and it’s becoming more habituated. Definitely a great learning experience. It’s so different working with other dogs that aren’t Susie, in so many ways. Different temperaments, huge size difference, and just generally the fact that I don’t have a raport with them initially. I take it for granted how easy it is to work with Susie because she knows me, how to read me, she’s good at interpreting what I want.

I really would like to get a litte more involved with the organization, so I talked to the apprentice trainer about some of the events coming up, and I think I’m going to try to attend one of their events at a local middle school, where they go and teach the children about dog behavior/body language, training, care and general dog stuff. It sounds really cool and really beneficial to the community, from what I heard about it, so it should definitely be a good first event with them!