Abby Sidewalk

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Abby Sidewalk Bergamasco Shepherd / Bergamasco sheepdog,
Successfully trained to respond to an AAC device,
First quadriplegic & nonverbal dog trainer in training.

And let the fireworks begin, folks! Over the years, I’ve desensitized Abby to the noise. I’ve created a positive reinfor...
05/07/2024

And let the fireworks begin, folks! Over the years, I’ve desensitized Abby to the noise. I’ve created a positive reinforcement history to the sound, and that’s why she gets excited. Now, she looks forward to it because she knows treats are on the way. That’s why she’s so chilled in this picture. Happy 4th of July!

I have a crazy dog🤷🏻‍♂️ it’s 97 degrees out, and she wants to be inside when I have AC running for us.She literally goes...
04/07/2024

I have a crazy dog🤷🏻‍♂️ it’s 97 degrees out, and she wants to be inside when I have AC running for us.
She literally goes out for like 20 minutes, comes in, drinks, chills on the vent for 5 minutes, and goes back out. I’m about to put her shoes on and or put her on the treadmill/do some training with her

Today, I worked with Abby on the treadmill for a bit before taking her to Safeway. She was perfect as a service dog. I h...
27/06/2024

Today, I worked with Abby on the treadmill for a bit before taking her to Safeway. She was perfect as a service dog. I had to remind her to leave a few items alone, and she listened immediately. I praised her for it. As I was loading up the car, a woman approached me, saying I shouldn’t have corrected Abby. I ignored her, focusing on Abby's training and driving. My direct support professional stepped in, explaining that I was training Abby. The woman mentioned her daughter’s six-week dog course and thought I was doing it wrong. When she realized I wasn't going to engage, she walked away.

Dogs respond to behavior, body language, and vocal intonation. They learn commands when tied to specific behaviors. If you see a service dog working, please leave them alone.

24/06/2024

Over the past month, I’ve been working with Abby on the treadmill. Initially, she was hesitant because she couldn’t relate her past treadmill experience to the one I got. This weekend, I found a way to have her walk on it continuously by using a lure placed just out of her reach. My staff moved the treadmill underneath her, compelling her to walk. Tonight, my on-duty staff member started the treadmill, and Abby continued walking even after he took his hand off. This is a huge milestone! As she realizes she can satisfy her running instincts on it, she’ll be more willing to use it on her own.

Note: I’m using the treadmill backward to help her get used to it. Once she understands what to do, I’ll turn it around so she can walk on an incline and develop a proper stride.

23/06/2024

If someone wants to private message me about how I am training Abby, then that’s fine. If someone wants to ask me about dog training, then that’s fine. However, please don’t private message me to have a random conversation. Please keep it on the dogs and training.

17/06/2024

On Friday, I got an automatic door opener because my caregiving company had safety concerns about my professionals leaving me alone and the need for me to have a way to exit my house independently in case of an emergency. This weekend, I practiced with Abby on staying inside despite outside distractions. Tonight, when I heard a neighbor’s dog barking, I decided to train with Abby as she was eager to bolt out and join in the barking. I put her in a stay and practiced it. She did so well! I’m very proud of her!

I wonder if you can guess it? 🧐
07/05/2024

I wonder if you can guess it? 🧐

05/05/2024

Watch the AMAZING PROGRESS that Abby’s accomplishing with Drop, Stick, Spilt, Push methodology! I raise my level when she does the cue for 5/5.

Hello there!My name is Kevin O'Brien, and I own this adorable Bergamasco Shepherd named Abby. A little bit about me:I ha...
05/05/2024

Hello there!
My name is Kevin O'Brien, and I own this adorable Bergamasco Shepherd named Abby.
A little bit about me:
I have a brain injury called Cerebral Palsy that leads me to be a nonverbal man and a quadriplegic. I have the around-the-clock care team provided by the state. I got Abby at 11 weeks old and sent her to my trusted trainer for the first 7 months of her life. I got her because I wanted an extra layer of protection. Additionally, I needed a service dog for crowd control, opening doors, getting my caregivers on cue (command), and providing me sensible protection at my physical therapy when the trainers have to leave me for a minute by her jumping up onto the table and laying down on me.
Abby is fully trained to respond to a Tobii Dynavox. She is the first herder in history who listens to a synthetic voice. Additionally, she is learning how to respond to my actual voice, as I can talk a little without my communication device.
I'm currently getting my CDTK certification through Catch Canine Trainers Academy. I'm their first student who is nonverbal and a quadriplegic, but I am passing my exams with flying colors. After my CDTK certification, I want to obtain my SDC certification, so I can professionally train service dogs as well as the typical household pets! I can't wait to show other people who are quadriplegics that dog training IS a possible career, regardless of their disability and how involved it may be!
For now, though, I'll be posting about how I train Abby.
If you have Instagram, follow us there, too! See you at the next post!
👇🏻
https://www.instagram.com/abby_be_at_by_my_side/

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