Puppy Class

Last nite Jim and I went to a Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) puppy training class to meet the puppy raiser for Licorice, the dog we are hoping gets released.  The puppy raiser wanted to meet us because she is the person they contact first if Licorice gets released and then she can tell them she has a family lined up for her.

When we were walking up to the building we saw a lady with a young pup in training and I asked her where to go.  She pointed me in the right direction and we headed in.  Along the way she asked me if I wanted to raise a puppy and I responded, "no, we are hoping to get a released dog."  And she said, "Licorice?  I am her puppy raiser!".  So if you believe in signs then this was a good one!

We chatted with her for about 10 minutes in the parking lot and by the end she was asking if we would adopt her too!  She loved what we do with our dogs - backpacking, boating, hiking, swimming, camping, walks everyday!

When we were chatting we got to meet her new pup - 3 month old Lois!  What a kook!  She had that crazy, wild eyed lab look.

After chatting for awhile we went into the training class just in time to see "play time".  That is where they bring all the dogs outside, take off their vests and let them loose in a free for all doggie chaos.  And then they call them back, make them lay down and be calm.  It was a hoot to watch!  Jim got some video that I will try to upload.

After that they came in for some training.  They worked on stairs (you can see a stage in the back of the picture that they walked up the stairs and then down the stairs on the other side), walked by a toy, and walked by a pile of kibble.  Towards the end, they all down stayed their dogs right by the kibble and right by other dogs.  That was funny too because all of a sudden someone would decide to get up and lay on someone else.

The last thing they did was show the puppy raisers how to teach the dog shake, roll over and visit (put its head in your lap).

Licorice has 3 more months of training and could be released at anytime.  Her raiser thought that if she did get released it would be because of her prey drive.  She said that of the 15 puppies she has raised (yes - that is right - 15 puppies!) that Licorice had the strongest prey drive of any of them.  She said that when they went for hikes she would constantly be on the look out for prey - which is not what they want a service dog doing.

So - keep your fingers crossed.  My thinking is that this is a win win situation.  If she gets released we get a great dog.  If she does not get released someone who needs her gets a great dog!