Maybe we aren’t ready yet…
Theo here! I’ve got some bad news…I guess I’m not going to school after all. Mama took me to Petsmart again today and it was not a bit fun. There were too many other dogs there. I almost bit Mama one time because I was so stressed out. I guess Mama doesn’t want me to bite one of my class-mates, so she said we will have to rethink our plans for school. She said something about finding a ‘behaviorist’ first. Whatever those are. All I know is that I get really really scared around strange people, especially kids, and dogs. I just remember how mean people used to be to me and it makes me worried that these new people are going to be mean too. Mama said she still loves me oodles, but maybe I need to be a ’stay-at-home’ pup, at least until she figures out a better way to handle me.
Anyway, Oliver is going to take my spot at school! (he needs all the help he can get BOL) Mommy wants to eventually get him in CGC classes and maybe even certified as a therapy dog! Oliver, unlike me, loves everybody and everydog. He is very gentle and sweet. I think he would make sick kids feel a whole lot better about themselves. Plus, if he is certified, Mama can take him to school with her when she starts her job in a year. How much fun would that be!?!? If any of you other pups does therapy work, Olie and Mama would love some advice about gettin’ started! Mama says that if it goes well with Oliver, she might try turning Mr. Jack into a therapy dog too! I don’t know about Phoebe though. I guess if the sick kids like getting peed on…. 
May 31, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Hi guys! My guys are not not certified therapy dogs, but when i go to the County Home as a social Worker on the weekends, I do take either Daisy Mae or Shed (the worlds mellowist mutt!). Daisy is really not crazy about it and did bark a few times in the past. I want her to be more socialized and the clients LOVE her, so we have persisted. Today she went to a big auction at the Fairgrounds with me, and it is really paying off as she was good with the strangers (but did bark at a poodle!). Shed was just born mellow, and she puts up with the lowest functioning clients attempts to pet and kiss her! It is very nice to share the dogs with others and I know you will love it! Hugs, Ruth
May 31, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
I took both Amy & Brandy to classes at Petsmart. I would never go on Saturday mornings, though. The store is just too busy and hectic and too many distractions. I took them to classes in the evenings during the week. It is much more quiet and less stressful for them.
May 31, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Oscar is a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International. I would reccomend taking classes that are geared toward getting you and your dog ready for the theapy dog test. Socalize him to as many different and strange things as you can such as peices of hospital equipment such as wheelchairs walkers strange noises and people who may move or act in different ways they are not use to. All the hardwork pays off therapy work is so much fun Oscar loves it and he comes home tired. If you have any questions feel free to pm me.
ashley and oscar
June 1, 2008 @ 5:50 am
I wouldn’t give up on Theo just slow down with him a bit. May be you could start by taking him where you knew there would only be a few people and keeping him back where he could just watch them. You’ve done great with him so far and good luck with Oli and getting him certified for therapy.
June 1, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Theo we have great faith in you.