Rascal

Rascal's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

 Hi there, my name is Rascal.  I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are "Rose" who is fostered by the Feckers family, and "Sage" from Texas Moonlite Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Kaitlyn. 

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.   

SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Retrieving Freedom staff have been working closely with Andrew and Shirley Kahn to help sponsor my training. Andy and Shirley graciously donated toward a Puppy Head Start Sponsorship, which provided them the opportunity to give me my wonderful name! I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their generosity toward my training. I hope to make them proud!!

September 2019 - 2 months old

 

I was so excited to meet my new foster Kat this month! Together we are going to learn lots and work hard in order to best prepare me for the next stage of training.

October 2019 - 3 months old

  

My favorite things are chasing leaves and cuddling with mom but no one else. I like playing with my best friend Page all day, everyday. I am super smart, but sometimes I only listen when I want to. I am are working on place and stay, and I am learning quickly.

November 2019 - 4 months old

 

I have been working so hard on the "place" command and have it down pretty good! I have also been working on my impulse control with the "leave it" command. Look at me ignoring all these fun Christmas ornaments!

December 2019 - 5 months old

This month I got to hang out with my mom Rose and littermate Darla during a foster Christmas party. We had our photo taken with Santa! Santa said I have been a very good boy this year.

January 2020 - 6 months old

Happy New Year!

February 2020 - 7 months old

 

I like to go to work with my foster, Kat. She is a lifeguard so it is teaching me self-control. Since I love water so much, I am working on not being tempted by the splashing water. I am able to play in the water when it's bath time!

March 2020 - 8 months old

 

I have been working on perfecting the "watch" command, where I make eye contact with my handler. This helps me ignore distractions around me so I am able to do whatever my handler asks me to. When my vest is off, I'm able to play and relax.

Stage 2 Introduction

Woohoo! I have officially been entered into stage 2 of 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!

July 2020 - 1 year old!

   

I celebrated my first birthday this year. Since turning into full time training at the RFI facility in Iowa, I have spent many weekends on home visits with my breeding foster, Charlotte. She threw me and my sister Darla a 1st birthday party with our mom Rose!

August 2020 - 13 months old

  

This month has been full of transitioning my training back into public, weekend foster homes, reuniting with my breeding and volunteer foster homes, and plenty of play time!

November 2020 - 16 months old

  

During the week days, I work on various tasks with my trainer at the Retrieving Freedom facility. On the weekends, I go into weekend foster homes where I'm able to experience new environments that I may not be able to with my trainer. This month I was able to go to the office with my weekend foster. I got distracted a few times but she was able to redirect my attention where it was needed.

December 2020 - 17 months old

 

I continue to venture into weekend foster homes. I also participated in the monthly training class at the facility with weekend fosters! 

January 2021 - 18 months old

  

I've been working consistently with my trainer. I'm maturing a lot!

February 2021 - 19 months old

March 2021 - 20 months old

April 2021 - 21 months old

     

A weekend foster, Caleb, took me to experience many new things this weekend! We watched a parade and a soccer game. Of course we saved time to play. We went to a church service where it took me about 20 minutes to settle in, but then I relaxed the rest of the time. In general, sitting still isn't my favorite thing to do. I love playing and performing commands, so I have to frequently be reminded to lay down or sit still. I am great at the "place" command, though! I am patient and leave the gentle leader alone when it's on my nose, though I tend to whine when I get bored.

May 2021 - 22 months old

     

I was able to go to the office with a weekend foster again. I remembered the building! I was attentive and listened well to commands. I need to work on not walking so fast on leash - I tend to want to lead the way. I lay quietly through meetings at the office where I barked at things that startled me (the rolling trash can and vacuum). 

June 2021 - 23 months old

 

July 2021 - 2 years old!

This month I celebrated my second birthday!

August 2021

My friends and I are all smiles after a fun play session! Our trainers make it a priority to let us play together after we finish training. It shows that we can appropriate play with other animals and allows us to get extra energy out before we take a well-deserved nap.