First Walk (beside wheelchair)

Today SSD Torino and I went to the bus stop and back to pick up one of Gail's Day Care children. This is a big deal because it was his first time walking on a leash beside a wheelchair. Lots and lots to learn for this little pup but over all it went well. We took 27 minutes to get to the top. Clicking every second he maintained acceptable position meant a very very slow walk. He did great not panicking when the leash got tangled under his paw. We would simply stop, I would call him up on my lap, and by tossing the rewarding for coming "Up" in the right direction, he would untangle himself! The walk down the hill was much better, only got tangled twice! We plan on loose leash training every day that the weather permits us walking to the bus stop! I am very pleased to also note some other things about the walk. Torino did not bite my feet once (we've been struggling with this - he is breaking skin when he bites!) nor did he have his terrible sharky tendencies. Treat taking isn't perfectly gentlemen like but getting better. He also showed very few stress signals. Panting and tail down were the only two noted.



He is getting very tall! We go to the vet on friday for shots and then we'll be stopping by Matt and SSD Owen's. I'll try to get some pictures then since my mom will be there to handle the puppy I should be able to take some!

Torino Goes to Super Pets

Well Torino rode to the pet store on the front passenger seat.... Being treated the whole way down 501... It is about a 15 mint. ride... He actually was doing his downs by the time we got there.... He pranced into the store.... I tried him in the shopping cart...He wanted no parts of that..he was a big boy and wanted to walk... Well he was just like that lab on the Super Pet ad... He acted like he owned the place.... I of course bought him a new squeeky toy... I am sure his big pals will destroy once they find it...Uncle Winston stole it the second we came home...Any ways back to our first pet store... He sniffed all the treat bins, but came and sat every time I called him..Lots of treating going on through that area... He sat the whole time I paid... Out the door into the wind... He was a very happy puppy.... Oh and no accidents in the store... On the way home he barked a few times but settled down about five mints. into his ride.... All in all it's fantastic to have such a brillant Lab puppy... He is now sound asleep in his crate I am sure dreaming of the place that has all the treats a puppy could imagine....

Barking

Just thought i'd note that our only "problem" with Torino has been his barking. He insists on trying a nice hardy "bark" before sitting or laying down. If none of those work to get our attention he is jumping up. All of these issues are to get NO attention what so ever from us. We do not want these things to become a habbit.

Torino learned down today!



Working with him is such a treat. He is incredibly eager and so sweet! He has been offering his "sit" all the time and rarely takes being asked twice for it. We practiced in the parking lot at Paws Abilities as well as outside and in the house. So, I decided that it was about time to start the next command. I began by clicking him for every natural "down". In a span of 10 minutes he did it twice. HUGE party with lots of treats. Then it was potty and crate/rest time for awhile during dinner. Afterwards he was ready for another fun training session. We worked again for a maximum of 10 minutes and by the end of them he was offering "downs" on his own left and right! We got out a ton of toys and brought the other dogs out for some play time after the training session, when to my surprise the little guy was insisting on laying beside me intently watching me waiting for his reward!

Today SSD Torino went to Paws Abilities to be a part of their Puppy Petting Zoo! His crate fell apart half way there, and surprisingly enough he was an angel the entire 1 hr ride! He curled up and slept the whole way. He'll be back tomorrow for another full day of petting!

We've been focusing our time mainly on recalls and attention. So far, everything is going wonderfully!

He got to see his first puppy raiser this morning. She was delighted to hold him as we talked about how great of a pup he is!

SSD Torino was born December 27th, 2005



He was donated to Susquehanna Service Dogs by Guiding Eyes For The Blind.

Torino is my mom and I's fifth puppy from Susquehanna Service Dogs. We have raised three other labradors and one "Boodle" A poodle/Boiver mix. Our first labrador was discharged (and is now our pet) because of EIC. Our second is a therapy dog, and the Boodle was discharged because of aggression. He is now living happily with a wonderful family. Our last puppy was only with us for a short period (about four months). He was surrendered by his first family, claiming he was "out of control". SSD Bond is now in his final stages of training and will be placed as a Hearing Dog.

This blog is going to be updated by my mother and I about SSD Torino's training progression! It will also feature all of his freaking cute as anything pictures.