Dog Community

Tyler was AWESOME today!

Posted : 3/4/2007 6:05:47 PM

I'm so proud of Tyler! Today was his first visit to the assisted living facility where Mom lives and he was just wonderful. The day was sunny, bright and actually warm so he waited in the van until after lunch and then came in and joined us for Bingo.

He greeted everyone nicely, never uttered a sound, and in general, acted like he'd been visiting this kind of place all his life. Never flinched at a cane, a wheelchair or a walker. I've had my old walker sitting in the livingroom for about a week now, and used it a couple times, just so he wouldn't see it as scarey, but I haven't a clue where the cane is, and I don't HAVE a wheelchair, so couldn't get him used to either of those. When we walked in from the van I had a chat with him, told him we were gonna visit Grandma and lots and lots of OTHER grandma's and a few grandpas and that he needed to be on his very best behavior. And boy, was he ever. *I* knew that he was a bit nervous around so many new people, he was drinking a LOT of water, but no one else could tell. Mom wrapped up a bit of her leftover pork tenderloin for him, but he wouldn't touch it....nope, not while he was "on the job".

When I opened the ice cream parlor he went out on the deck outside with DH, took a little walk and then came back to the deck. The gate was closed so he could safely be left there so DH could have some ice cream, and with the huge windows, he could see us, so he was content. He had a bowl of water and his vanilla ice cream out there too. [

] The only problem he had was the floor of the ice cream parlor....it's linoleum tiles, and Tyler has issues with bare floors, likely from those people he lived with for a couple months and he was afraid of that one. If I dropped the lead and kept going, he'd follow, but if he had a choice he was gonna avoid that floor!

ONE of the ladies was a little nervous about Tyler.....one out of about 20 folks who came to Bingo today. She was going to sit at a further table where she wouldn't be able to hear, so I introduced Tyler to the OTHER folks at that table and then Katie decided he was ok with her too. Tyler was absolutely the hit of the day. Heck, I could have NOT played kickball with them, or bingo or done the ice cream parlor....they were all just so thrilled to see a nice, big guy that they didn't leave him alone for long! And the entire staff fell in love with him as well.

So, guess Tyler will be going every weekend from now on. A good time was had by all, and that's what matters! [

]

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/4/2007 6:24:26 PM

Good job Tyler!!

It's funny -- some folks can enjoy "watching" the dogs -- but don't want to touch them. Some folks are terrified to be NEAR them (especially those folks down here who may have lived in a ghetto of vicious "outside protection dogs" *sigh*). Some just can't wait to pet them!!

You tend to socialize your dogs with "new stuff" anyway -- so the fact that Tyler had seen the walker ... he generalized to wheelchairs and other 'stuff' like that pretty easily because you've exposed him to lots of 'new' things.

Generally - if you take your dogs places and you tell them what to expect and they are USED TO seeing 'new stuff' -- then *more* new stuff is just WOW -- Undiscovered NEW COOL STUFF! They tend to view new stuff with patient curiosity rather than fear because the initial hurdle is teaching them not to 'fear' new things.

They get to a point where they trust YOU ... if Mom says this is a good place to go and I'll see Gram and other grams and well -- Mom's not gonna steer me wrong!!

I will never understand people who never take their dogs anywhere and they then feel so powerless because the dog hates going to the vet. Gee whiz -- take them occasionally. The more you 'take' them the better they behave in the car, the better they learn to cope and the easier it all gets.

when David and I were first married he was *terrified* to take the dogs anywhere -- it tooks me a while to talk him into letting them 'go' -- and he knew *I* took them all the time to do errands and short car trips. It took a few times of him being extremely nervous for him to really see that the dogs weren't going to turn ino Cujo or go completely bonkers (because we don't let them get out of control at home either), and now he enjoys taking them as much as I do I think.

Working in a nursing home is easier than in an alzheimer's facility. With alzheimer's and dementia you do have to be more careful because people will be more apt do very unexpected things (like suddenly hit out at a dog or scream or whatever). That, too, is very very do-able, you just have to multi-task less and make sure you keep it more one on one wit people so the residents reaction with the dog is never unsupervised (I mean very closely supervised) for even a moment.

But the dogs DO learn incredible patience. It's like they adopt this idea when they go to a facility like this that these are special people and special rules apply. Sounds like you had an awesome first time, Tyler!!

glenmar

Posted : 3/4/2007 6:39:23 PM

I noticed that today, Callie. Some were happy to watch the pretty boy, while some REALLY wanted to pet him. And one gal sat at the very closest table to him to be closer to him so she could lure him over to her every now and then!

Tyler would be a remarkable therapy dog. Truly he behaved as if this is just something he's ALWAYS done. His only fear was of that darned floor. Several of the staff wanted to give him treats (pork or cod) but I told them, you can try, but he will NOT eat when he thinks he's working. And he didn't, despite my encouragement. Well, ok, I guess I should admit he thot he should jump up for a nap on Grandma's bed......but, a simple off was enough to change his mind.

I'm so proud of my boy I could just about bust my buttons!

ron2

Posted : 3/4/2007 7:45:48 PM

I'm so proud of my boy I could just about bust my buttons!

As well you should be. He is quite the ambassador. The home. The MS Walk.

Tyler rocks!

glenmar

Posted : 3/4/2007 8:27:32 PM

It's just unbelievable to me that THIS is the pup who boomaranged back to us cuz he "couldn't be housetrained, couldn't be crated, was destructive, fought with the other dogs and ate holes in the carpet...oh and has something wrong with his feet, legs or hips".

This is the most laid back boy and while he truly enjoys meeting new people, he isn't all in their faces like Shadow would be, or barking in excitement. He is just honestly the neatest boy, and someone didn't LIKE him?? Couldn't TRAIN him? Especially since he left my home house AND crate trained??? He wouldn't even take one of his toys from the toy basket. We had a PARTY when he took a milk jug out of the recycling one day to PLAY with.....yep, just the worlds worst dog.[:@] Maybe in some alternate universe........

I shouldn't be surprised by him, but gosh, with the MS Walk and his total focus, and today with all those new faces and STUFF at the home, well, he's surprised and thrilled me yet again!