Kodiak’s Assistance Training ~ Applying What We’re Learning
Kodiak and I have had the chance to actually apply what we’re learning.
There have been many times when I’ve utilized the “paws up” command to put on or take off his Halti or backpack, to turn on or off his blinker or to get my keys out of his pack, but we haven’t really had a chance to utilize “pick it up” in a ‘real life situation’.
Practicing the command “pick it up”, he has picked up and brought to me, a tea towel, a hand crocheted doily, a wash cloth, a paper plate, a pen, a tablet, the house phone, the remote control, my keys, a clicker, a crystal figurine, my neck pillow, a decorative pillow, a sock (when folding laundry), the mail, a magazine, a DVD cover, his collar, his leash, a wrist watch, a meatloaf mix packet, a jar of spice, a fork, and a jar lid.
On Wednesday night we were able to put this command into ‘real time’ practical use WITHOUT commands.
I was unwrapping a Glade flame less candle and a piece of the plastic packaging fell on the floor in front of my feet, near the toe kick of the cupboard. Before I could ask him to pick it up and bring it, Kodi had it in his mouth and was offering it to me.
Today, while preparing dinner, I raised the control arm of my power chair so I could access the oven more easily and the rubber joystick fell off. As I was uttering the words ‘pick it up’, Kodi had already picked it up and was offering it to me, on my lap.
He is starting to get the idea that when I’m in the kitchen and things fall on the floor, I need them back and he has to retrieve them for me.
We used ‘paws up’ today, so I could put his Halti on him before we went for our evening walk.
He’s becoming more comfortable on our walks when confronted by loud children, loud vehicles and strangers – whether they are walking or riding bicycles. He’s able to walk past loud, barking dogs, some of whom sound quite ferocious, without making a sound or lunging in their direction.
He’s “heeling” on his long lead as we walk out to go potty and is sometimes able to do so when we are going to the car for a ride.
He’s responding somewhat consistently to “heel”, “lay down”, “wait”, “stay”, “pick it up”, “bring it”, “off” and “paws up”. We’re still working on “drop it”, “come” and “quiet”. We’ve successfully mastered “sit”, “shake” “go inside” and “high five”. We are 90% consistent with “leave it” when walking through the neighborhood.
He is doing wonderfully, as he’s 9 months old this week.
