Today we went out to Riverside to work on a practice test for the the DELTA therapy dog renewal. The wife of the couple, Elizabeth Hall, whose house I went to needs to renew with their big golden. Her husband, Lewis, renewed a year ago. Another woman came with a 12 week old golden puppy she's raising for guide dog training. She has another dog she needs to renew.
The Halls have two other dogs, one a very old Lab, the other a 15 month old Lab, they're raising for guide dog training. Matilda was fine with the young pup, but the 15 month pup drove her crazy. Finally I just put Matilda on a down while we talked about the test.
Here are some things for me to remember for the test.
I should be sure to take Matilda for a pee before going in.
The brush I bring should be clean, no hair in it.
I should bring a non favorite toy, one without a squeak.
Before the test I should tell them I like to have her offered a treat in a flat hand.
During the test I should role play. As I walk I should pretend to greet people as if in a hospital.
When they do the physical exams, the gentle and the rough one, it's OK for me to kneel down beside Matilda and reassure her.
When I change from Matilda's leash to the long line and then back to her leash, put two leashes on and then pull off the second one so she is never without a leash. Put her leash around my neck. Keep hold of the long leash when I recall her. Take her back to the starting box in the long line carefully so neither of us gets tangled and then change back to the Matilda's leash.
Always keep a loose leash.
If I have to tell her "leave it" for the toy be sure to say it in a friendly up beat voice.
I don't think I need to bring the long line, but maybe I will.
We need to work on adult group hugs and getting bumped from behind.
When we got back we went straight to the Pooch Park. As a fundraiser they were taking pictures with the Easter Bunny and selling toys and other things. I bought a toy and Matilda had her picture taken. Then we went to the Pooch Park where she really did pretty well.
Matilda with the Easter Bunny on her Birthday
The Halls have two other dogs, one a very old Lab, the other a 15 month old Lab, they're raising for guide dog training. Matilda was fine with the young pup, but the 15 month pup drove her crazy. Finally I just put Matilda on a down while we talked about the test.
Here are some things for me to remember for the test.
I should be sure to take Matilda for a pee before going in.
The brush I bring should be clean, no hair in it.
I should bring a non favorite toy, one without a squeak.
Before the test I should tell them I like to have her offered a treat in a flat hand.
During the test I should role play. As I walk I should pretend to greet people as if in a hospital.
When they do the physical exams, the gentle and the rough one, it's OK for me to kneel down beside Matilda and reassure her.
When I change from Matilda's leash to the long line and then back to her leash, put two leashes on and then pull off the second one so she is never without a leash. Put her leash around my neck. Keep hold of the long leash when I recall her. Take her back to the starting box in the long line carefully so neither of us gets tangled and then change back to the Matilda's leash.
Always keep a loose leash.
If I have to tell her "leave it" for the toy be sure to say it in a friendly up beat voice.
I don't think I need to bring the long line, but maybe I will.
We need to work on adult group hugs and getting bumped from behind.
When we got back we went straight to the Pooch Park. As a fundraiser they were taking pictures with the Easter Bunny and selling toys and other things. I bought a toy and Matilda had her picture taken. Then we went to the Pooch Park where she really did pretty well.
Matilda with the Easter Bunny on her Birthday
Was the Delta Dog test so involed last year?
Actually, it was two years ago we took the test. I guess they have made the test tougher, but I have heard the woman giving the test is very nice and wants to help the teams pass.