Keeper's turn at a bath

It wasn't quite a truck, but I keep trying to do more now that I'm not working, and I keep knocking myself into pain and sleep down cycles. I'm too stubborn to take the hint after all these years and take it easy.

Stress yawn. She sees no cookies, and knows the bath will soon start.

Hopeful look at the camera. Maybe this is just a weird photo op?

Shampooing and another yawn.

Now it's conditioner, and a more relaxed photo.

Asking very politely to come out now. I don't know what I'd do if she tried to bull her way out.

Even slicked down with conditioner, she's got a hairy tail.

Giving a good shake after

Hello. I would like cookies now.

Post-bath FLUFFY. (bonus Twist photobomb)

Duncan gets a bath

"I was promised cookies?"

"The cookies were a lie."

His butt almost looks like modern art when he's wet.

And, the "wait, there really are cookies?" face.

He smells like coconut now. Tomorrow, assuming I don't feel like a truck hit me, it's Keeper's turn.

Laundry!

Today was the first day I can remember doing laundry since I had confidence in Keeper's retrieve [1], which means that today was the first day Keeper helped load and unload the machines. Super pleased to report that she reached right into the washer to get things from the way back (Duncan was very goosey about that). Keeper seemed unfazed. It's very interesting to see where her confidence is coming in, and where she's in need of a little cheerleading.

She picked up large items, small items, wet and dry items. She did try to keep picking up things intentionally left on the floor for the next load, because she doesn't understand the routine at all, but she did really well with it, and it's nice to know she can. Duncan was jealous, so they got to alternate turns. He's still not ready to retire, but he seems slightly more willing to share the work.

[1] Generally, while I had a job, I put my energy there, and my mother was fantastic enough to take over. Since I don't currently have a job, I'm doing more around the house, with the help of the dogs.

IHOP writers' group

Usually we do a holiday get-together with my writers' group in December, but this year was a bit delayed because of work schedules. So we went to IHOP instead of the library tonight. Keeper was a bit confused, though she sat down as we waited for a table, then she tried to take me out the front doors. 

Head to the left of the table support. Close, but not ideal.

Head and shoulders to the right of the support post.
Much better.

Makes sense from her training. Go in, sit down, wait, leave. Changing it up to go in, sit, wait, go to a new location doesn't happen. She followed the group in, then tried to go in under a booth, not the tables we were at. Got her under the tables, sort of, let her get comfortable with the feet under the table, then set her in farther, so she was clear under. 

She was tucked completely under for the vast majority of the meal. It took a little bit, but she got to where I needed her to be. She's not like Duncan. Cramming herself into small spaces and draping over table supports doesn't seem to be second nature. Or maybe she just needs more experience. Time will tell. 

She did pretty well, though she did try to beg from Shannon a couple times. I may need to feed her before we go to restaurants.

One of the older guys in the writers' group finally realized Keeper is working for me. He seemed surprised I'm not training her to hand off to someone else. It's one of those weird in-between things. It's nice that I look competent, but it's also odd that when she's marked "SERVICE DOG" that he would assume she's in training.

Shortly before we left, the waitress sat people at the booth that had confused Keeper, about an arm's length from the table were Keeper and I were. As we got up and left, they were super surprised that a dog that big popped out from under the table.

What she looked like from the booth end of the table.

I think it may be my favorite 'magic trick' and hearing "I didn't know there was a dog there!" continues to amuse me.

Keeper led me out to the checkout counter, then tucked at the counter, and led on out as I answered a few questions (got another "Is that a Saint Bernard mix?"), and finally Keeper did a nice leadout to the car. It's really nice to have her be steady on her own after being confused earlier. She tries so very hard to be right, and do what I need.

She was extremely disappointed when we got home and her dinner wasn't ready and waiting for her like it usually is on writers' group nights.

Dogs of War Episode 5

Watching Dogs of War on A&E, with Ron and Sabot. First episode I have watched, so I don’t know if tasks are shown in different episodes.

In a lot of ways, it’s heartbreaking, because the idea of the program is that the vet, with PTSD and anxiety, is given an untrained dog, and works to get the dog public access ready. Getting a dog out enough to get the training time it needs when the handler has PTSD and is avoiding going places for fear of triggering the PTSD is really freaking hard.

When faced with going out, the idea of declaring his disability is too much for Ron, and causes a panic attack. He tries going to church (one of the few places he could legally be thrown out of), and while no one says anything or appears to notice them, Ron thinks everyone is staring at him, and he bails on his wife.

Not all disabilities do better with a public use service dog. Not all handlers are meant to owner-train. I really wonder what would have happened if Ron had been partnered with an already trained dog, who reacted to his anxiety with deep pressure, or distracted him from their very first meeting. Sabot looks to be very well behaved, but does not, as of the trip to the church, have a default task response to Ron’s stress levels. Nor did I see any sort of response once they were home.

Psychiatric service dogs need to do more than just be there. Not only is it the law that a dog do work or tasks (and being there for comfort does not count under federal law), but if the dog does nothing, it is generally useless for anxiety. By drawing attention the dog can provoke and exacerbate the psychiatric symptoms. A trained dog can be a lifesaver, no doubt in my mind, but the dog has to do more than just be there to be useful. Tasks allow dogs to be an amazing source of help. Emotional Support Animals (animals for comfort, who do not do tasks) not only don’t have public access, but are not as effective for helping a handler deal with stress and anxiety.