Working Dog Poll

[jabear]

Since I am getting ready to test Bear for his CGC and TDI title, I was wondering about the level of interest you have in making your dog work for his/her pleasures in life.  I'm also contemplating a new idea for my school so your input would be greatly appreciated.

[jabear]

Hahahaha..henc e his full name huh Tina?

[Newf Lover]

We have gotten Drake on the road to be cart trained, but we only took one class.  I don't know how many he has to take to be certified.  He took really well to it and I want to build a cart soon.  I'll have to dig up some pics, they are so cute!  As for the water training, we haven't done any "official" work, but we take him to the water and have him retrieve constantly and "save" us while he has the energy to do so.  But no boat work yet.  It would be fun to get him certified later on, but before he gets too old.  He's going to be 4 next year, I can't believe it!

[lilysmom]

I think a working dogs biggest pleasure in life is to work. 

We're working on getting lily certified as a therapy dog now.

[Anakalia]

I think working dogs are a great idea.  Gives them something to do and I think it makes them feel important.  We take Koby to the nursing homes in our area and he LOVES it.  He doesn't need any certificate here, we're a little piddle town! lol  Yes, he's normally very psycho, but once he gets into the nursing home he's a whole different dog.  He knows what is expected of him and does it flawlessly!  When he's there he's the kindest most gentle dog I've ever seen and everyone loves him.  He's perfect height of those who can no longer get out of bed, he goes right up to them and lays his head on their bed so they can pet him.  Nothing's better than seeing a terminally ill patient, or an elderly person who can no longer walk get that happy gleam in their eyes when Koby's around.  It's the best!   

Andi

[Anky]

It was decided that Sanity's going to start training to be my service dog.  This is partially because of my Orthostatic Hypertension and mostly because I want him to come into stores with me.  Muwahahaha.  But seriously he's good about knowing when something's going to happen and he braces automatically for me to lean on and to help me up.

Hobo we use for sledding which is awesome because he's SOOO little but he can pull so much and he loves it too.  We found an awesome (CHEAP) place to get our gear.

http://www.chinookwind.com/chinook_store/store.html

[Gypsy Jazmine]

We have gotten Drake on the road to be cart trained, but we only took one class.  I don't know how many he has to take to be certified.  He took really well to it and I want to build a cart soon.  I'll have to dig up some pics, they are so cute!  As for the water training, we haven't done any "official" work, but we take him to the water and have him retrieve constantly and "save" us while he has the energy to do so.  But no boat work yet.  It would be fun to get him certified later on, but before he gets too old.  He's going to be 4 next year, I can't believe it!

Samson & Pippin will be cart trained...I want them to pull my kids on a sleigh & enter them in town parades...What kind of pulling harness are you getting Drake?...Do you think I could use a mini horse harness for my guys?...I have the diagram for building a lightweight training cart if you are interested...I'd have to snail mail them to you though unless I can take pics with my digi cam & somehow make that work...I am really 'puter stupid...lol!

[ZooCrew]

I really want to get Keiko certified for therapy work, but will wait until after we move.  Her temperment is so perfect for it, and she absolutely loooves attention.  I would like to do the same with Gunther when he is older and calmed down a bit.  He's too skittish at this point to be thinking about it at least for a couple of years.

I also would love to get Keiko hooked up to a sled.  I already rollerblade with her (although I need to get a new brake) and she loves it.  She would be so good at it, and  a musher friend of mine gave me a good link for a nice small sled.  This link also has weight pulling and carting harnesses.

http://www.blackicedogsledding.com/

[doglover]

We have started the process training our dogs for thrapy and we might trainig Molly for carting. we also plan to do obedance and rally-o. I have thought about the service dog because I have Degenerate joint disease, but ireally want to take her every where with me .
Jenn

[BabsT]

I will put some titles on my dogs...ATTS and CGC I hope and go from there

[lilysmom]

For someone who is blissfully ignorant, like myself, what do all the acronyms stand for?  ie.  ATTS, CGC, etc.   

[jabear]

CGC is canine good citizen
TDI is therapy god international

I dunno about ATTS though...maybe assistant therapy something??

[henrysmomma]

I hope to get a corso soon and begin working it in schutzhund, search and rescue and so forth. Cart pulling looks interesting to. I'm currently trying to get a hold of our local police department so I can volunteer for the quarry program and maybe learn some training techniques from the trainers. If anyone has any advice that would be great too. 

Rose

[Anky]

CGC is canine good citizen
TDI is therapy god international

I know you think highly of Bear but isn't that a bit much Jamie?

[The Brindle Pack]

Tyra got her CGC a couple weeks ago and we continue to work with her.  At this point we are looking at doing the reading program with her. 

Today was great work for her as we go to the farmer's market on Thursdays for socialization and today there was this sweet little boy that was loving all over her.  His head was lower than hers and she would just nuzzle around his neck, it was just too cute.

Cindy