Grateful for all I’ve been blessed with, enjoying them accordingly. The dogs + the beautiful Saturday weather ✨🫶🏻
*wonderful friends + boyfriend not pictured*
Sharing this afternoon with Blue, a Boxer who is a pack member that I’ve been working with for over a year, was particularly special and joyous. When we met, Blue was hyper vigilant, high in flight, incredibly insecure in both new and familiar environments. I watched him crouch on the sidewalk a few blocks from his house when a plane caught his eye during our first session. He’s not that dog anymore and I couldn’t be more happy for him!
Structure, intentional lead work, dedication and commitment - experimenting to see what worked and always keeping how he felt vs the “behavior” at the forefront of interventions is what led to this change in him. A dog who can relax alongside power tools: staple guns, air compressor, table saw, etc. without so much as a flinch. Explore and play while remaining connected to the human. He’s come so far and though he’s not without hiccups, it’s important to celebrate the victories, so hats off to his humans! The road ahead is bright ✨
To qualify and be protected by the ADA, ACAA, FHA one must be considered a disabled citizen of the US, which basically means you are physically disabled or have a clinically diagnosed disabling condition with symptom onset. Disabling conditions present in many ways including a decrease or temporary suppression of any physical or sensory or intellectual capacities, manifesting itself in absences, anomalies, defects, losses, or difficulties in perceiving, moving, hearing, seeing, etc. Ex/ Panic Disorders, Clinical Depression, PTSD, Narcolepsy, Diabetes, Deafness, Epilepsy, etc. The dog is trained in at least one task that directly assists the disabled in mitigating their diagnoses symptom(s) — ex/ deep pressure therapy, early medical alert, medication retrieval, tactile stimulation, etc. These dogs and their handlers are protected under the aforementioned government agencies and federal legislation to gain nation-wide public access once seasoned and certified. A certified dog is one who is not only task trained but public access trained and tried — these dogs are non-reactive to environmental triggers that the average dog will find distracting or even stressful. The dog is only protected under these agencies when under the care of the handler, handler being the diagnosed “disabled” citizen for whom the dog supports.
An SA handler practicing their right to public access with their dog may be subject to questioning in line with: “what are the task your service animal has been trained for to aid with your disability?”
Service dogs aiding with physical disabled individuals and service dogs trained in psychiatric related aid have equal public access rights and the latter should not be confused with an emotional support animal as ESA dogs are not trained in task work.
And now you know!
I’m here to remind you that the walk is far more significant than a source of physical exercise, physical exhaustion, it’s arguably the most valuable relationship building interaction you have with your dog every day. So I ask you this, what are you telling your dog by the way your walks go together?
Which resonates with your current walk?
A. Walks the walk, but doesn’t talk the talk: This is the dog that isn’t labeled a “puller” but if you were to stop abruptly, they’d meander right along until realizing you had stopped after continuing forward a few paces ahead of you.
B. Squirrel? *head dodges back & forth, eyelids taped wide open*: This dog pulls, fixates, likely to even be vocal — super hyper vigilant about their environment. Animals, cars, anything on wheels, screaming / fast moving children, etc. get this dog’s engine revving. You’re simply there to hold a leash, pick up poop, and hope to god you don’t slip on ice or get tugged into the frog pond (geese season is upon us).
3. Deer In Headlights: This dog is good with an immediate potty upon exiting the home and then heads back for the house immediately OR will cautiously walk with you but is nervy, constantly checking their rear, tail is low and likely even tucked under their torso. They likely pee a little when greeted, flip over onto their back for dogs and/or people.
I have so many more of these, but I’ll get to the point —> all of these dogs are missing leadership on their walk & in their life. Dogs are hierarchal pack animals, they require a confident guide, innately. The walk is only one piece of the puzzle, but a significant one. Pay attention on your next walk. Are you guiding your dog through the environment or letting the environment steer your dog?
>>link in bio for training inquiries<<
📢 This legendary audio is courtesy of my good friend, @steve_rondo who sent me an enthusiastic video of him leading AND serenading a group of dogs 😆🫶🏻
✨connection allows for more access✨
Let’s start looking at freedom through the lens of a guide.
Why should my dog follow me?
Have I set that expectation?
Am I a consistent guide in the home, outside of the home, in new situations, amidst the monotony of daily routine?
A guide worth following is always present in offering their support both preemptively and reactively.
Set precedence to follow before you set the expectation of unmanaged freedom.
This is what it’s all about. Likeminded people gathering with their dogs, for their dogs, supporting each other. Thank you all for another wonderful Sunday morning, there’s nowhere else I’d rather spend my time than watching you grow and cheering you on.
We’ll be meeting for our next Jac’s Pack Walk on Sunday March 19th — I hope to see you there!
🫶🏻 for dogs & their people
Working Blue on the @ecollartechnologies mini educator during a rainy afternoon last week #ForDogsAndTheirPeople
A little feel good clip for Wednesday. For me, nothing beats letting your dog rip around outdoors enjoying the sunshine and fresh air together. If I could, I would help everyone to experience this feeling, but it’s up to you and the work you want to put in. I can help you get there, I want to help you get there 🫶🏻
