by Deborah O.
Member since:
July 12, 2007

Getting ready for a dog citizen class

December 18, 2007 08:35 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 32

I am getting my dog Santos ready for this dog citizen class, the first step into turning him into a therapy service dog. Santos is learning to sit on command, however he is fighting it all the way. All of the commands he has learned with lightening speed but sit and laydown are going alot slower. However, it is getting slowly better each day.

I am getting Santos use to wearing a canine dog pack, also not something he was keen on but that too is getting better. I have uploaded pictures of Santos with saddlebags on to show you what a wonderful dog he is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments: 32

Toni V. Dec 18, 2007, 8:39am UTC
Santos is a beautiful dog! I don't think I would want to sit down or lay down in that snow either. LOL. Great article and pictures!
Good luck, keep us updated.
Deborah O. Dec 18, 2007, 8:50am UTC
Thank you Toni, he has hard time sitting in the house LOL
Deborah O. Dec 18, 2007, 8:50am UTC
Thanks Human Katherine
Peter C. Frank Dec 18, 2007, 8:51am UTC
Best of luck with this, Deborah. When I was in the hospital after my accident, they provided therapy dogs three times a week, and it really helped as I missed not being able to see our dog. And just having the dog there was calming and soothing and helped me deal with being on complete bed rest for nearly three months. It's a wonderful thing that you're doing and I"m sure you'll be rewarded ten-fold for the effort and energy that you're putting into this volunteer effort. From someone who's been on the receiving end of this therapy, I thank you very much!
lots of hard work training shepards, good luck....they are really good once they have accepted the job though, thanks Deborah!!!
now I'll go look at the photos.........
Deborah O. Dec 18, 2007, 9:01am UTC
thanks Peter, and Randee! I am so proud of this big guy
hey Deb, he really looks like a great dog, you lucky debbil.....
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Dec 18, 2007, 9:04am UTC
This is wonderful! Good luck to you and Santos.
Whothehell Cares Dec 18, 2007, 9:07am UTC
He's a handsome guy, good luck Santos!
shannon k. Dec 18, 2007, 9:08am UTC
he can stand still for photos, that's a good start.
ChrisJerri S. Dec 18, 2007, 9:24am UTC
This is great and beautiful dog.
Kimberly Ripley Dec 18, 2007, 9:29am UTC
Oh my goodness....your Santos looks JUST like my Philly!! I wish I knew how to post a photo within this post...I've seen some people do it. No kidding...they look so much alike!!
Amy C. Dec 18, 2007, 10:48am UTC
This is absolutely awesome! Santos is so cute! I hope he does well as a service dog!
Your right up the street from me! I live in Wallingford!
ness m. Dec 18, 2007, 11:17am UTC
He looks a star in his saddlebags I have 2 greyhounds and they suffer with the cold so wear coats in the winter, they have a problem with sitting because of their shape, so they stop at the side of the road as sitting is not physically practical for them.
Can you tell me what are a service dog we don't have them in England?
Sarah (I want points) Dec 18, 2007, 2:01pm UTC
He looks like a wonderful dog! I hope that he does well!
Heather W. Dec 18, 2007, 4:29pm UTC
That's great he is training to be a service dog. He's a beautiful dog.
CyberGwen ! Dec 18, 2007, 5:07pm UTC
He is beautiful! I am sure that he will be the star of his class:)
Jim F. Dec 18, 2007, 5:58pm UTC
Deborah, great looking pal you have there. I must share this little experience I had with one of my dogs one time. I have trained a few in my life time and ran across this one that did not like to sit or roll over either. I worked this (I thought hard headed rascal) for a while trying to get this simple task taught. This K9 would do anything you asked but, sit and or roll over without reluctance. Geez, I talk a lot. But, the bottom line is, while at the Vet's office for a routine check-up we discovered my little friend had hip dysplasia and it would simply hurt the creature to sit. In this cause, yes I was a dork, as you say. Santos, looks to have a lot of German Shepard in his gen pool and this is a common ailment among that breed. I would get him checked out for your peace of mind and his comfort level. Good luck on such a noble venture you guys are undertaking. Later.........Jim
Deborah O. Dec 18, 2007, 6:54pm UTC
Hi Jim, my thought too, he had Xrays done three weeks ago, and no hip problems what so ever.
But the good news, today he is sitting on command with a success rate of 4 out 5 perfect sits, and down is 5 out of 5. Good progress if I say so myself
David The Nighthawk B. Dec 18, 2007, 6:55pm UTC
He doesn't look very happy lol :P

He'll learn eventually though :)
Marianne M. Dec 18, 2007, 9:34pm UTC
Good luck!
Sue M. Dec 19, 2007, 12:22am UTC
That's wonderful! Beautiful dog!
arun tp Dec 19, 2007, 2:54am UTC
Thank you for sharing. Nice dog.
Linda B. Dec 19, 2007, 3:36pm UTC
Santos looks so Beautiful. Shepards and mutts are my favorite.
→ Victoria ← Dec 19, 2007, 9:10pm UTC
He's a really pretty dog, Deborah, and so well behaved!
Deborah O. Dec 22, 2007, 3:43pm UTC
Thank you, everyone.
Dawn G. Jan 1, 2008, 12:35pm UTC
German Shepards make great theropy dogs. They are very smart and stong. The pictures are great as well.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jan 4, 2008, 7:29pm UTC
Santos is a beauty! Good luck.

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