Posts

Our first "official" post for Teacher's Pet! Why isn't Promise a Certified Service Dog, and then, What Is He Actually?

Image
I took a big step today, personally, regarding Promise's training. I bought a special vest and two "Service Dog in Training" patches to go with it. I can't wait until it arrives and I get to see how Promise reacts to the vest. We will incorporate this into our training so that he realizes the vest equals the expectation of specific behaviors. I feel it's important to post a disclaimer here: I will never present Promise as a certified service dog unless, by some bizarre happenstance, he ever happens to be actually certified. Promise will upon reaching the appropriate age, be required by me to pass a therapy dog evaluation. He will then be an "Evaluated Therapy Dog" and a "Owner-Trained Facility Assistance Dog", with the latter term one that is made up simply to help people we meet understand what he does. Service Dog certification is a lengthy process that requires an exceptional dog and then gives that dog an exceptional purpose and expec

May Entry Summary

Image
*this post is a type-up of my diary entries for the dates listed. Pictures are from the dates listed as well. Private information such as names of students, etc, was left out. However, as it pertains to Promise all information is written exactly as I wrote it at the time* We have started our training class! There wasn't a puppy course so we are in simple "Basic Manners" class. We're working on leave it, heel, sit, stay, come, etc. I'm not overly concerned about teaching him heel this young, we are mostly playing a lot of games where I reward him when he's near the heel position. He is doing very well with everything else, and I am planning on having our trainer evaluate him as a S.T.A.R. puppy at the end of the session. He's up into the teens with his weight now, and gaining a little bit every day it seems. His legs are growing so much! He is extremely comfortable with my students, and even seems to prefer their company over mine on occasion. I tell m

Diary Entry April 1st-8th

Image
*this post is a type-up of my diary entries for the dates listed. Pictures are from the dates listed as well. Private information such as names of students, etc, was left out. However, as it pertains to Promise all information included here is written exactly as I wrote it at the time* Promise is more interested in toys this week. I took him to Petsmart and let him ride around in the cart--socialization is so important, especially since I am hoping he matures into a temperament that will make a good therapy dog. He is not sleeping well at night. Neither am I. I have chosen a couple of my students to help out with taking him on potty if they are at a break-point with their work. In the classroom he seems to understand that he needs to self-entertain to a certain extent. Proud of the little sucker! We made to the vets as well, and he finished up his last round of tapeworm medicine. He is now officially parasite free! He is also up to 11lbs now.

First Week Entry March 23rd-31st

Image
*this post is a type-up of my diary entries for the dates listed. Pictures are from the dates listed as well. Private information such as names of students, etc, was left out. However, as it pertains to Promise all information is written exactly as I wrote it at the time*  Very first photo I brought home the puppy after school on Thursday evening. He weighs about 9lbs, and is eating well right off the bat. I took him to work with me Friday, bringing along his puppy pen so that he could nap and play without disturbing my students. They nearly lost their minds over him, and he was just as pleased to receive all of the attention. I have taken him all this week too, and he continues to do well. I have lined the pen with puppy pads to catch accidents, and have a small area of grass I’m comfortable taking him out on during breaks. I’m letting him run loose inside my classroom but carrying him everywhere else—or bringing the stroller and wheeling him around. He seems to lik