Bowden had a busy month filled with training at the training centre and various field trips. He continues to learn the foundations to make him successful as a PTSD service dog. He has learned to alert to a leg bounce and is working on discriminating when it is appropriate to chin target a leg. He will frequently try to rest his head on your leg just because, and has mastered the sad puppy eyes, hoping for a piece of food! We continue to work on body targeting and have added in movement to ensure he remains connected to the handler. Bowden is a gem to train!
When not at the training centre, Bowden visited YouthLink Calgary Police Interactive Museum to visit children attending their camp twice this month. He enjoys the attention and pets, but was quick to show them his impressive drooling in response to being around food. He also accompanied one of the CPS VAST handlers and their dog to a Calgary Public Library branch. We ended the month by spending the weekend at Day of the Dog. He got to practice ignoring distractions (people and other dogs) and practicing his alerts and obedience in public.
This coming month, we will continue to diversify the alerts and clarify what to alert to.
Thank you for your support of Advanced Dog Bowden. It is greatly appreciated!
Advanced Training Location: Calgary, AB
Submitted by: Stephanie, Advanced Trainer