You're likely being flooded with Coronavirus articles from every direction. I am too. One thing I haven't noticed much of though, are articles aimed at service dog owners with advice on how to adapt to these challenge suddenly being thrown at us. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place. Our lives are being impacted in what seems like insignificant ways to the "healthies" but what are dramatic ways to us. Many of us no longer have access to routine medical treatments that are necessary to maintaining our daily functionality. The few people we're normally able to hang out with to feel slightly normal we're now cut off from and restricted to virtual life only. It is not the same. From people whose lives went virtual years ago, now being told the only flesh and blood people we rely on to keep us sane have been kicked into the virtual world too is beyond not okay. On top of that, we have these amazing, hard-working dogs at our sides, who we've put thousands of hours into training so that they can accompany us into public and help us be more independent and less home-bound, who are now, also, suddenly forced into isolation with us. They're being told they can't do their jobs with business as usual either. Sure they still do a ton of work at home, and are going to be at our sides helping us through this, but all the skills we've worked so hard to teach them like how to ignore screaming children, dropped food in a restaurant, lying under a cramped table for an hour, doing polite greetings or ignoring people altogether, moving at a tight heel, opening door buttons, and so much more are not going to be a part of their weekly routines for quite a while. That's difficult on us AND them. I designed a graphic aimed at helping those owner-training their service dogs, or working with an fully trained program service dog, learn how to problem solve in these changing times. Right now, each one of us has to step up and think a little more like a trainer, and a little less like an owner simply holding the reins. Many teams have been cut off from their trainers, or have been working without one for a while now. Whatever your story is, this graphic should help you. This is a jumping off point for you. A way to get your gears working. My advice is to print this list, and use it to help you make your own list that is more specific to your team and your routines. Below is an example portion of my list for Robbie...
This is a chance to strengthen your bond with your working partner. Give them exercise, playtime, settle time, mental challenge time, and bonding time. Some teams are even supplementing training with trick training, agility work, and extra tasks - anything to fill the void and work with their dog on engagement and focus. Together, you will get through this and I'm willing to be we'll all come out having learned something about each of our teams and what we're capable of. Additional Service Dog Coronavirus ResourcesHow to Clean and Sanitize Your Dog's Gear - Also, common sense, don't let people touch your dog if you do go out. We also put disposable rubber booties on Robbie that could easily be washed or thrown out when we went out the other week.
1 Comment
Jean Morgan
4/15/2022 01:21:20 pm
Thank you for this information it is very helpful. It really has helped you are looking and not finding like me. Thanks will help tremendously.
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My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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