Posted on: in [ Service Dogs in Training ]
Ellie's Journey
Stage 1 Introduction
Hi there, I'm Ellie! I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. I am from Golden Dream Kennels. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Angie.
Throughout Stage 1, I will learn the basics obedience, public behavior, and a lot of socialization. I understand that it takes a very special dog to complete the program as there is a high standard to become a Service Dog. I am aware that I may be one of the dogs whose purpose is outside of service work so I will be updating my profile on a monthly basis for all that would like to follow my journey through the program.
August 2020 - 2 months old
This month I officially began training to hopefully become a service dog someday! I was raised from birth at Golden Dreams Kennel by a wonderful woman named Angie. Lucky for us, Angie will now be my volunteer puppy raiser for the next 8 months! First we will work on learning my name, walking on a leash, and potty + crate training!
September 2020 - 3 months old
Angie and I are ready for fall! I have begun going to work with her and let me tell you, it is "ruff" sleeping on the job all day long!
October 2020 - 4 months old
I made my first visit to church with Angie! Besides walking in and walking out, nobody would've known I was there. I was quiet as a mouse and fell asleep shortly after getting settled!
November 2020 - 5 months old
This month I transitioned out of my foster home with Angie due to some unforeseen circumstances. I am going to miss Angie bunches and can't thank her enough for everything she's done for me since day one! My new fosters' names are Chris and Rob. I am excited to get to know them and see what we can accomplish together!
December 2020 - 6 months old
Now that I've settled in and gotten into a routine with my new foster family, it's time to get to work! We have begun training in public and I'm a rock star. I love to play outside when we get home and take off my vest. I'm also a big snuggle bug! My fosters say I learn commands quickly and am currently working on recall and cradling, as well as holding commands for longer periods of time.
January 2021 - 7 months old
Although I am advancing well in my training, I'm still a puppy at heart. At this month's puppy training class, I did great holding my "down" command while other dogs and their handlers circled around me, but it was tough to focus on my handler when there were toys right in front of me. I'm going to keep working on it! I'm great at the commands "visit," "stand," and "paw."
February 2021 - 8 months old
I do great at performing the "place" command on my mat, especially during meals. I don't beg for people food at all. I go to church each week and am sometimes featured during worship! I am working on staying calm when people approach to greet me. I just get so excited and want to meet them. I also get very distracted outside and am working on refocusing my attention back on my handler.
March 2021 - 9 months old
My fosters and I participated in a public group training session at Menards this month. We worked on ignoring distractions such as strangers approaching us, performing the "place" command on new items such as plywood, and appropriate leash work. I did great! I've gotten much better at heeling both inside and outside, and making more eye contact with Chris and Rob as we walk. I'm improving on the "touch" command. I get pretty excited when people greet me and am working on controlling that.
April 2021 - 10 months old
At puppy class this month, I was fairly distracted. While performing the "place" command, the training staff at Retrieving Freedom was walking around and throwing toys, and I so badly wanted to get off my board and play. I had to be redirected and will continue working on this. I have visited several public places lately including Target, the local police department, the Kansas City airport, Lowe's, Kohl's, and Walmart.
May 2021 - 11 months old
I continue to get distracted by other dogs during group training sessions and enjoy when I can let out extra energy during play sessions with other service dogs in training.
Stage 2 Introduction
Wahoo!!! I have officially been entered into stage 2 training, and I am so excited! Over the past 10 months I have had the opportunity to see the RFI mission first hand, and can’t wait to dig deeper in the mission of changing lives through my training for veterans with disabilities and children with autism.
During this Stage, I will work closely with the RFI professional training staff to solidify my understanding of intermediate tasks and the foundation of future commands to help mitigate a disability. Follow me through this stage learning how I continue to make an impact!
June 2021 - 1 year old!
This month I celebrate my first birthday! I have begun working on the "touch" command and am doing well with it! I go to church every week, and frequently go to Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and even visited the Jazz Museum in Kansas City! I also had to say the most difficult "see ya later" of my life (this far) to my wonderful fosters. I can't thank them enough for all they've dedicated to my training over the past several months! Now it's time I learn new things at the Retrieving Freedom facility during the second stage of training.
July 2021 - 13 months old
I love spending my days training with the other big kids (service dogs in training in the second stage just like me)! I had a weekend visit with my original fosters. It was great to see them again! They said I am heeling much better, making good progress with the "touch" command, don't bark at or tug on my leash when I see other dogs around, and learned to stay a bit calmer when people greet me. We went to a Kansas City Royals baseball game and I was at ease the entire time!
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