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Babs and Beau’s Journey
Because Otherwise-abled Doesn't Mean Un-able:
A Pup-date: November 8, 2023
Hello, dear readers! It's me, Beau, the service dog in training. I've embarked on an exciting new journey recently, and I can't wait to share my experiences with you.
Today, I want to talk about a pretty awesome task I've been learning - taking off Mom's socks.
Click HERE for a quick video
You see, being a service dog means I'm here to help Mom with her daily life and make it a bit easier. So, when she decided it would be super handy if I could remove her socks, I was up for the challenge. It was a bit tricky at first, but I've been making great progress.
Mom has been working with me, and we've been following a structured training plan. The video you'll find below shows some of our training sessions where I practice "taking" and "tugging" on her sock to remove it. It's a skill that not only makes her life more comfortable but also strengthens our bond. And, oh boy, it's so much fun!
Training for "Take It" and "Tug It".
Let me give you a sneak peek into the process. Learning "Take It" was the first step. When Mom says "Take It," I gently grab the sock in my mouth. It was a bit tricky to understand that I should be gentle, but with Mom's encouragement and a lot of patience, I got the hang of it.
Next came "Tug It." This is where I pull the sock to take it off. "Tugging" on the sock required me to learn control and finesse, so I don't rip the sock or pull too hard. Mom also says I need to be gentle and not grab her toes - even though she cannot feel them doesn't make them free for nibbles. Ya know, it's all about timing and balance.
Bonding and Communication:
Through this process, mom and I have grown even closer. We're learning to communicate better, understand each other's cues, and trust each other. The video attached to this post showcases our teamwork in action. It's not just about getting the sock off; it's about the connection we share.
The Importance of Positive Reinforcement:
Mom uses positive reinforcement, like treats and praise, to reward me when I perform these tasks correctly. It helps me understand when I'm doing a great job and encourages me to continue learning and improving.
The Final Goal:
Our ultimate goal is for me to assist mom in taking off her socks independently. We're still working on it, but with each training session, I get a little closer to making her life just a bit more convenient.
Mom says we will work on 'putting socks on' after we have mastered taking them off!! Which is good cuz cold weather is here and mom seems to be cold all the time.
Learning to remove mom's socks has been an exciting and rewarding journey. It's a demonstration of the incredible bond that can exist between a service dog and their owner. I'm here to assist mom with her daily tasks and make her life better, one sock at a time.
Stay tuned for more updates on my training journey, and remember, we service dogs are always learning and growing to be the best companions we can be. Thanks for reading about my adventures, and stay tuned for more paws-itively pawesome updates!
