Big News

Mini pack walk with Erin and Maeve and Wendy and Elisha.

It's been a busy week and we have exciting news! Izzy is scheduled for her Therapy Dog Certification Test on July 17! I really didn't think we would be testing when she was this young, but I think she is ready. We can retake it and it will give us good feedback so it will be helpful even if she doesn't pass. I am nervous though! The timing is really something and makes me think Emmi is guiding us. We are doing the test almost 2 years exactly from Emmi's last therapy visit at the Airport. She really rallied for that visit, but it was really apparent to me that it should be her last visit as I could tell how exhausted she felt.

We tried a drop-in intermediate class this week. There were 5 other dogs, two were quite reactive to other dogs. It was a very different training style (but still positive reinforcement based). The environment was chaotic. I think it was really good for Izzy. She remained calm and focused on me in a new environment with all kinds of things going on, dogs barking, and lots of new people. She even followed all my commands. As I wrote in my last post, I've really focused on function with Izzy versus obedience, so this was different for us. However, she followed her commands and walked on a loose leash. I was really impressed with her. Not sure if we will do that class again but maybe just to give her the exposure.

I did get a message today that we are ready. We ran into someone we see frequently on our walk. We talked for a bit and Izzy waited patiently. I asked Dee if she'd like to pet Izzy and she said yes. Izzy walked up to her and gently leaned against her. We hadn't actually stopped and talked with Dee for several months. She immediately exclaimed that Izzy had made so much progress and that it was "like night and day". I remember the last time she pet her, Izzy pulled to her, was super excited and tried to jump. She spent a lot of time petting Izzy and told me about her 2 labs. It is always amazing to me the things people remember and share as they pet a dog. Dee had not shared that with me before. Izzy was so patient and just kept gently leaning on her. We even had a dog pass by and aside from looking at him, she did not react at all. Dee said Izzy was a great therapist. I really think this was a message that we are ready. It was just what I needed.

Izzy had a play session with Maya this week. Maya is more mature and doesn't appreciate it when Izzy plays rough. She finally told her that. Izzy stopped then tried one more time and Maya let her know it wasn't OK again. Izzy stopped being rough after that and played much more gently with her. Izzy is such an amazing dog. I love the way she modifies her play to the dog she is with. Enjoy this short clip of them playing.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/3bd094_2884632f69a445abaf7875d56ffcb97a/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Izzy and Maya