It Takes a Village

Watching kids at the park.

I reflected on Izzy's progress this week and realized it really takes a village to raise a puppy to be well-socialized and to be able to become a therapy dog. This week Izzy saw her vet on Monday. He and the staff at our vet clinic have been such a big part of Izzy's journey. She is totally comfortable going into the vet's office and being examined. We have her on a diet that includes fresh-cooked food and also several supplements that her vet has worked with us on. This week I flushed her ears and trimmed her nails and I think all of her exposure to these things when she was a young puppy have made such a difference.

Wednesday we went to her Dog 3 class. She has made such great progress through the classes she has taken at Training Spot. She walked past all the dogs and through new areas of the building with no problems other than some excited pulling. Her early experiences with puppy playgroup have helped her become a dog who plays well and has no issues with other dogs.

Wednesday afternoon, a friend brought her dog over to play with Izzy. Izzy loves to play and I am so appreciative of my friends who bring their dogs out to play with her. I think this has really helped her be the social and easy-going dog she has become.

Friday, she went to LuckyDog Day & Night Care for her private Adventure Park. I am so appreciative that they have this option for dogs who have not been spayed/neutered as she could no longer participate in regular daycare after 6 months of age unless she was spayed (which I totally understand). Izzy loves going on her adventures! Working with the staff there and the other dogs has continued to help with her socialization and training. Check out the video below in which Izzy makes several appearances. Today we went on a group walk with others from Training Spot. There must have been 20 other dogs there. It was a great experience. A new place, lots of dogs, people, bikes etc. Izzy did great. She did not react to any of the dogs, even when they barked, people, strollers, trikes or bikes (even her first electric bike).

After the group walk, we went to a nearby playground to give Izzy more exposure to children. While nobody approached her, she got to watch lots of children run and play and yell and cry and was curious but relaxed the whole time.

She has made such amazing progress and she's only 10 months old. I am so thankful for all the people in our lives that have helped us on this journey to becoming a therapy dog team.

Watch for Izzy. She runs through several times.