You may or may not know that I volunteer for a non-profit organization that connects people with disabilities with service dogs, free of charge. Typically, their young puppies will enter the local Prison Training Program (for a few months) to learn their basic training. This program is amazing because the prisoners learn a new skill (dog training) and spend their time helping train these young service dog hopefuls and make a positive impact on society.
Unfortunately, the organization got a litter of puppies right when the COVID-19 lockdown happened, and these cute 8-week old labs couldn’t go to prison for their training! When they sent an email asking if anyone could help take a young black lab puppy, without even thinking, I said I would help!
Logically, I knew it was a lot of work. But who could say no to helping that cute little face?
Just like ANY lab puppy, Dodger was INSANE. He constantly wanted to chew EVERYTHING. He was a land shark…trying to bite my arm, heels, hair. He hated walking on the leash, and was TERRIFIED of stairs.
Fast forward to Dodger who is now 9 months. He walks calmly on a leash next to me, he walks up and down stairs, he knows how to sit on his mat calmly while I work, and is generally a great dog. He’s still a puppy so still is working on dog distractions (he loves to play), but is overall an AMAZING dog.
Was it a lot of work? 100%. Was it worth it? 100%.
Dodger will be leaving in a few months to continue along his service dog journey. It is definitely bittersweet, but I wanted to share this story with you because even puppies who were bred to be service dogs do not arrive “trained.” Just like any other puppy, they bite, chew, bark, and do “dog stuff.”
It’s up to humans to stay consistent with training by practicing daily, and puppy proof their homes so they can’t chew any expensive furniture!
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