ASPEN Service Dog In Training

Aspen is one of our home-bred pups that is back for custom Service Dog training. She will be partnered in her new role with her disabled little girl in a few weeks.

Here are some short clips of Aspen working in a public location.

Steep Open-stair descent

While we humans aren’t usually plagued by stairs that are hung with open space remaining between the rungs, a dog’s perspective is quite different. With their lower stature, they can see right through the steps which can be unnerving for some dogs. With a bit of practice, Aspen sailed through the challenge with easy. In this clip it almost appears that she’s intentionally timing her movement to be in perfect rhythm with Robert’s steps.

Tight Spaces

Service Dogs often have to negotiate tight spaces. An example would be a public toilet. At the Menard’s Home Improvement store we visited, Robert found a shower stall with a large seat (it actually looked like a toilet to me!) where he put Aspen through the paces of remaining calm and relaxed. She is also required to remain sitting or in a down position (which ever she’s been instructed to do), regardless of the handler’s movements. It’s important that a Service Dog learns to take verbal or visual cues, but to refrain from triggering on the handler’s body movements.

Remote Stay

In this next quick clip, Aspen has been instructed to lie down while her handler is “shopping.” When Robert drops the leash you can seen Aspen rock on her hip and relax which is a wonderful sign that she recognizes she’s been asked to stay in place for a little while and she might as well get comfortable.

The Toy Isle Distraction

Dogs, including Aspen, love toys. But, when working with their handler, Service Dogs must not fall prey to being distracted by such things. Aspen understand her role well.