Silken Service Dog Divo

27/07/2022

06/11/2020

I love his bright eyed focus!! I don’t think he cared for my treats though!

20/09/2020

Sighthound and his cat

30/08/2020

Divo went out today for the first real training practice since Covid. Because I dont drive, we have had very little practice with entering and exiting vehicles. He definitely needs some work. He is awkward getting in and hesitant getting out. Especially if the vehicle is high off the ground. He practiced a down/under while waiting which he did very well at. He greeted and met our fellow trainee and we left for a field trip. We went to a pet supply store. Out doors he did very well with indicating up curbs and down curbs. Pulling nicely into harness, handled the automatic doors like a pro. . His stand-stays and bracing was excellent. His directionals were good but he was a little distracted. He did a nice job following Cage and seemed more than willing to follow him. Was not fazed by fish/birds, etc.. was distracted by really good smelling bones at nose level. Unfortunately, his downs were not good either at side or in front along shelves.. weak spot. .. we then went to the grocery store and did the outside round as practice. He did well with traffic in the store although he likes children. One person was sniffed- corrected him and he went on. nice straight pulls, good on directions. carts coming toward him and weaving in traffic was pretty good although he was a little hesitant on the ones that came close from the sides. Good with deli area, meat area, nose going a mile a minute in seafood area but payed attention and did really nice. On the way out we were crossing the other doorway area and he did a traffic check when a cart came hurtling at us. Cage did one in unison .. Good dogs both!!.. Very nice curb indicates to the car withonly one slightly lazy upcurb indicate.. still awkward on entering and exiting car. slightly better on settling in footwell, although still a bit clingy.

26/08/2020

Small practice today.. some unders at the clinic and a good be run with the tricycle!

23/08/2020

Divo had a new lesson today! He was a big help to a young GSD who let him be the good example for greetings! He was a little scared at being barked at but looked to me , asking if it was okay! He did some nice unders but needs more work to be steady with continuous barking at him. Good Boy Divo!

06/03/2020

After mastering his down cues , we are starting to add a “ put your head on paws to it. In a couple sessions he has figured it out although we don’t have duration yet. I also found out that he will NOT eat Swiss cheese.. but will do almost anything for roast beef lunch meat.. his confidence level is quite a bit higher and he is even able to run with the bike without getting too wound up! Although he is a bit hesitant when we are close to the parked cars. He will actually duck away from them.. kinda odd. I love how much he thinks about things and is so much better the next time we try it! Positive training sure encourages k L aren’t learning!

22/02/2020

Divo met a fellow SDIT today who will be a training partner. He was a little intimidated with the big Doberman nose.. So odd as he is the most over the top dog running and wrestling at home.. he definitely needs a little more confidence around other dogs. He was very polite but timid in his greeting.. We will be doing his first outing tomorrow if the weather doesn’t wreck it.

10/02/2020

Ooh forgot to add.. he doesn’t mind water! The streets were running melt off and he plodded through .. no problem! He also worked on easy on the slick icy spots! So many of my dogs made such a fuss about water and going around instead of through! Love ya Div!

10/02/2020

Feb 9th.. a gold star day!
Divo loves snow!!
When our ride came he actually put his front feet into the car but couldn’t figure out how to get the back in. This is marvelous considering he would back away and refuse to get in! The little short rides are helping! I boosted his butt in and while he is still awkward about riding, he is getting better! He does think he needs to be partially in my lap!!
We had a short session focusing on retrieve with a paint roller cover. We shaped 3 good retrieves and a lot of pick up and drop. One was actually to my hand and he earned a big jackpot! Pretty good for a half hour!

Later we had a class with a dog defensive Doberman named Rigby. He was a good boy and it went well with her. Divo still goes into freeze mode when dogs rush the fences. He is improving but had a moment of “stuck” at one point. When we passed by there again he kept enough focus to respond to his on by cue. He is also learning the cue forward to pull in a medium steady pull forward in a straight line. He weaves a lot less and is starting to understand that when he is on my right that I expect a steady light/ medium pull and that it is okay and that on left he should heel.. he was too nervous to do any sits but had nice waits at curbs and is getting the concept of lining up to the edges. Nice stand and a waits with no fidgeting. Needs some work on sniffing and trash trolling! Not a surprise there! Got back and did some practice down and unders with another dog in close proximity..getting ready for group/ restaurant outings in the future! So happy with his sassy little self! He loves being my special boy!

31/01/2020

Found out that Divo works enthusiastically for carrots!!! What a goof!

29/01/2020

Divo has been coming along nicely. He is a funny boy! He has been working on stopping for curbs and is starting to get it more consistently. We also have been working in getting dressed. He still occasionally say “what is this thing again? And why do I have to wear it? But most of the time seems oblivious to his vest. He is no longer ducking when getting dressed and is starting to understand the cue for going to work. We have also been working on staying in a long down for meals and ignoring distractions. As well as cat distractions. I do need to watch verbal corrections as he tends to shut down. And oddly enough, I feel that he decided I was his person this week. He is so joyous when I call him Although we need to work on full fledged body jumps!! Nothing like 45 lbs of enthusiasm running straight at you!

07/01/2020

January 6,2020

First day to leave him and go to work.Had a rough night with my Borzoi with the aneurysm. He was good overnight even with the stress of her condition.. was good about whining if he needs out. Starting to introduce toileting cues using association. Won’t see results on that for a long while. Stopped in at lunchtime for a quick potty trip. Did well. Did chew a little on his new mat and chewed a bit on toy food dish. Going to give Kong tomorrow. Short lesson because of sleepless night . Worked on looking at me for name.. a bit distracted but I’d give him a solid 7 out of 10. Will work more tomorrow.

07/01/2020

January 5,2020

Introductions went well. He thinks Natti is his new best girl. He likes playing with the Zois and greyhound but intimidated Aisling....believe it or not! Better with goats, still ignores ducks but had to be called off chicken. Plays appropriate. Crating willingly today. He also got food toy bowl and really liked that. Worked with recalls in yard.. he likes that he can get paid. He was not pushy with group recalls. Introduced Go to house cue. Seems to already know it. He is good at ignoring cats. Just letting him settle into routine today.

07/01/2020

January 4, 2020

Brought Divo home today. I did have to lift him into the car as he definitely has a car aversion. He rode home on my lap. To help with his car sickness we used meclizine and I held him on my lap in the back seat. As he looked at things we named them for him and he gradually settled down and curled up next to me. He is most worried on corners and when starting and stopping. He did relax enough to take treats when we were nearly home. Was a drooling a bit but overall pretty good.

When we got home he was a bit funny in that he saw Pudge the cat waiting on the bench by the gate and staring at him.. was a little unnerved. Went to main yard, walked around, went around house to back. He got within 20 feet of the goat fence, stopped dead in his tracks.. I swear he said “Aliens!!”. I like that he didn’t bolt! Intro with Cleo went normally.. he was respectful when she wanted him to back off. Didn’t want to crate willingly but was calm once in. Ate well. Slept calmly and quietly. Good recall in yard.

07/01/2020

It’s official! Divo will be joining me as my new SD prospect!! His evaluation went nearly perfect and our personalities seem to mesh well.

The things we tested/observed:

Met at a local shopping center (on the busiest weekend of the year!!) that also has housing incorporated. Lots of foot traffic and other dogs..
He was a little bit carsick drools but this should resolve with age and he seemed to recover fairly quickly. Excellent match in height and pace. He has medium food drive.. not over the top, but also very willing to take treats. Soft mouth. Good on lead with a small amount of pulling which is actually good for the light guide work I need. Ok with large flappy objects above his head. Ok with people running up and petting him unexpectedly. No flinching or startle reaction. Good with children (understatement). Fine with dogs in singles and groups , small and large,walking by. A little concerned with walking with shopping carts, but recovered after a few minutes. Fairly respectful of space but snuggly too. Needs work on not trash trolling on sidewalks, especially gum or ci******es! Ok with sounds of electric doors and escalators. Respectful of cars but not afraid. Fair on attention when distracted. Good on body handling including feet, butt, tail, teeth. A little hesitant about training vest but willing to try.. will need more familiarity. Dropped objects did not elicit startle reflex. Learned touch cue in about 5 minutes. Does not like down cue, but reasonable sit and stand. Overall impression was charming, unflappable, slight bit of stubborn that was overridden by food drive, a bit independent, a willingness to “partner up” once he decided I was fair and had a good pay scale with benefits! Grin. Confident in himself. Handsome and Charming.

I want to thank Tina Klahn for the foundation work that has set much of his basics. I am looking forward to the adventure. I don’t think you have any idea of the good foundation you laid. And another thanks to Jennifer Ceballos, his breeder. I hope he makes Tekita and Zander proud.

07/01/2020

Posted for December 23rd, 2019

It’s official! Divo will be joining me as my new SD prospect!! His evaluation went nearly perfect and our personalities seem to mesh well.

The things we tested/observed:

Met at a local shopping center (on the busiest weekend of the year!!) that also has housing incorporated. Lots of foot traffic and other dogs..
He was a little bit carsick drools but this should resolve with age and he seemed to recover fairly quickly. Excellent match in height and pace. He has medium food drive.. not over the top, but also very willing to take treats. Soft mouth. Good on lead with a small amount of pulling which is actually good for the light guide work I need. Ok with large flappy objects above his head. Ok with people running up and petting him unexpectedly. No flinching or startle reaction. Good with children (understatement). Fine with dogs in singles and groups , small and large,walking by. A little concerned with walking with shopping carts, but recovered after a few minutes. Fairly respectful of space but snuggly too. Needs work on not trash trolling on sidewalks, especially gum or ci******es! Ok with sounds of electric doors and escalators. Respectful of cars but not afraid. Fair on attention when distracted. Good on body handling including feet, butt, tail, teeth. A little hesitant about training vest but willing to try.. will need more familiarity. Dropped objects did not elicit startle reflex. Learned touch cue in about 5 minutes. Does not like down cue, but reasonable sit and stand. Overall impression was charming, unflappable, slight bit of stubborn that was overridden by food drive, a bit independent, a willingness to “partner up” once he decided I was fair and had a good pay scale with benefits! Grin. Confident in himself. Handsome and Charming.

I want to thank Tina Klahn for the foundation work that has set much of his basics. I am looking forward to the adventure. I don’t think you have any idea of the good foundation you laid. And another thanks to Jennifer Ceballos, his breeder. I hope he makes Tekita and Zander proud.