Zoe Is Placed!

What an amazing thing! Zoe has been placed with her new family and is helping Bev with her service dog skills. Even better, she now lives on a lake and has a pontoon to ride on! I couldn't think of a better place for her to have gone. As much as we miss her at our house, she is completely happy in her new home. We do get visits once in a while!

Practicing

These are videos taken at Jordan Elementary where Zoe is going one or two times a week to "practice" her skills with a young person. Teagan has been kind enough to allow Deb and Zoe to interrupt her studies and spend some time on skills Zoe will need to use once placed. Enjoy!

Zoe Goes to Skateville

We had a nice time watching family members do a little skating and a little falling! Zoe wasn't allowed out on the floor, but she did enjoy watching everyone. Not sure she appreciated the really loud music though! She does love "her" kids...

Names and Nick Names

Really, how many names can a dog have?! Here is a list of most of the names Zoe is called and responds to.....

Zoe(pronounced zo-ee)

Zo

zozo

zozo bean

zoe bean

zoe bean banana

jojo

zso zso

peanut

peanut butter (the "t's" are pronounced as "d's")

Squishy face - truly must try and get a picture of this one!

Is there something wrong that I can't just stick to one name? I think it has to do with the different parts of her personality that shine through. She's sometimes very serious and sometimes hilarious.

Go, Find, Bring

I have been working with Zoe on these commands...which if she didn't move my slippers, boots or towels in the first place we wouldn't have to be doing! Actually, this will come in very handy when she is placed as there may be a need for her to go and find something - right now slippers, but later maybe it's keys or a phone to call for help.
We're also working on "generalizing" commands which means she understands the command in various contexts (at home, in a store, outside). Next we begin much more intensive proof training so that she's solid on her commands no matter what distractions happen to be going on around her...food, toys, other dogs, loud noises.
She is getting closer now to leaving and it is such a poignant time. As excited as I am to see how great she will be, there's also a sadness in letting her go. The closest I can equate to this would be children going off to college or getting married and starting a new life. The good thing for me is that I will know where she is going and will be able to see her periodically.

CGC Success!

I am happy to report that Zoe and I took the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test yesterday and passed! I was so proud of how well she did. She's made great progress in her ability to control the urge to run/drag me to see either a person or another dog. We had one small glitch with her being in a new place and needing to sniff out corners as we were on our walking nicely exercise, but she suddenly seemed to realize what she was supposed to be doing and became the heeling princess - bouncy, tail wagging and watching me. Very cute! While this test isn't like being in an obedience trial, it's a nice way to show that your dog can behave and be a good "dog citizen". I encourage everyone with a dog to take a short class and see how they do on their test. :)
I have been working with Zoe on turning on a light switch by using a junction box I made with a light switch attached. Something we learn as we train dogs is that just because they do something "perfect" at home, it doesn't mean they understand it is the same request I'm making at the shopping mall. The same applies here in that her turning on the switch with her nose while I hold the box is not the same as turning on the switch on the wall. So I am now holding the junction box up against the wall and will begin moving it higher and higher until I can transfer this to the actual light switch. She does turn the lights off by using her paws.

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Healthy New Year!

Just Working

I'll have to get a picture of this; I've been working with Zoe on helping with the laundry. I have a stacked washer/dryer, so she goes into the washer below and pulls out items, hands them to me and I put them in the dryer on top. She really enjoys doing this..although, sometimes the socks are taken for a walk-about before bringing them back to me! What is it about socks?!
We're also working towards taking our CGC. She will do everything fine, except meeting a person and meeting another dog right now...she just gets SO excited to see them and doesn't want to wait until we get to them - she wants to pull me to them to say hello, then she sits properly. While it's nice that she's good about meeting, I need her to understand she must wait for me. We're also working on her finding my phone and bringing items to others. It really is a fun time right now! I can't wait to see her reaction to the snow soon - she loved it last year when she was a little girl, I can imagine how much fun she'll have this year! And at least then my yard won't be dragged into the house every day on muddy feet. :)