RJ

RJ's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I'm RJ. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are "Faith," who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and is now fostered by the Sanderman family, and "Olaf" of RidgeView Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Maddie. 

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 2019 - 2 months old

 

This month I was able to transition from my breeding foster home to my puppy raiser home. Maddie will be training me for the next 8 or so months. I am excited to get to know her and see what we can learn together! First, I am focusing on potty training, crate training, and learning my name.

September 2019 - 3 months old

  

My foster Maddie says I am a silly, playful boy who is very curious and there is little that I am afraid of. I love to lay around and sleep all day while occasionally playing with other RFI dogs. I can often be seen walking around the Wartburg College campus with Maddie, who is a student there. I have mastered the commands "sit," "down," "heel," and "place." He is also becoming a pro at "load," "wait," and "here."
 

October 2019 - 4 months old

  

The month of Halloween brought lots of new adventures. I got to visit a pumpkin patch and dressed up as a dinosaur and a bumblebee!

November 2019 - 5 months old 

 

I've been getting lots of exposure to different places and environments including a hockey game and attending dance team practices with my foster. I'm learning to ignore distractions in particularly loud environments and keeping my attention on my handler. 

March 2020 - 9 months old

This month I was able to celebrate Maddie's birthday with her. Our time together at Wartburg College has ended early due to a global pandemic. We moved to her hometown and I've enjoyed having her relaxing at home. We aren't able to work in public much, but I'm still learning lots at home.

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! 

June 2020 - 1 year old!

This month I celebrated my first birthday! It is a bittersweet milestone, because turning one means I have learned all I can in my foster home, and I'm ready to turn in for full time training. I have transitioned to the training facility in Sedalia, Missouri to work with the trainers at RFI. I want to give a big thank you to my foster Maddie for teaching me all I need to know in order to take this next step!

July 2020 - 13 months old

I'm having so much fun learning in Missouri with the professional training staff!

September 2020 - 15 months old

 

I continue to work with the trainers at Retrieving Freedom and something new happened this month - I went to my first weekend foster home! I had so much fun. I'm mostly well-behaved, but I need to work on not jumping on people when I get excited, when my vest is off. This month I began training at a new program - Citizens Against Spouse Abuse (CASA). I go weekly with a day foster named Joylynn. 

October 2020 - 16 months old

I worked with a trainer at a banquet event. I behaved perfectly! Everyone in attendance was surprised with how calm my overall demeanor is and how I ignored all the sights and sounds that seemed distracting. On the weekends, I spend time in volunteer foster homes. This is a great way to relax after long weeks spent training.

November 2020 - 17 months old

 

My weekend fosters always report how well-behaved I am when in their care, especially when we travel into public. In general, I'm a docile dog who handles well with new people.

December 2020 - 18 months old

      

As I prepare to transition into a new phase of training, I had to say "see ya later" to my friends at CASA. I transitioned back to the Iowa training facility and have been working diligently with the trainer!

January 2021 - 19 months old

 

I went home with a Holiday Foster over New Years and got a great report! My foster Michael says I behave perfectly while out shopping - I didn't get distracted at all. 

February 2021 - 20 months old

 

This month I went home with a first-time weekend foster. I was a wonderful dog for them to begin their journey in fostering! I had excellent behavior at a loud volleyball tournament, throughout church, and wasn't bothered at all with an ambulance siren 30 yards away. I need to work on my vocalization, especially when it comes to riding in the car.

March 2021 - 21 months old

  

A few times per week, I train on the campus of Wartburg College with a trained student handler.

April 2021 - 22 months old

       

When I'm not busy working with Wartburg College student handlers or my trainer, I enjoy outdoor play sessions with other service dogs in training. I'm so glad the snow has melted so we can run around and burn off extra energy! I have been working on learning new tasks and go on public outings with the trainers. 

May 2021 - 23 months old

  

I have been working hard on my retrieve tests and enjoy picking up most objects. In order to pass, I have to successfully receive over a dozen items varying in texture and size. Here I'm picking up a cell phone and a pen!

Stage 3 Introduction

I'm so excited to be a part of the Retrieving Freedom training program! During this stage I will begin to meet potential recipients, learn final training tasks, finish up a role in the impact programs, and complete the 100 required one-on-one hours with my future recipient. This stage is a 4 to 6 month process, and I understand there is a chance that I might not complete the program due to health or performance. I'm looking forward to sharing with you about my first visits with potential recipients, trips into public, and other highlights throughout my final stage of training.

June 2021 - 2 years old!

    

I love being outside and tend to get distracted by typically distracting things - other animals, loud noises, etc. but I never bark or show interest, I just tend to watch. Eventually when I turn my attention back to my handler, I am praised and given a reward for keeping quiet and finding my handler.

July 2021

 

I spent the Fourth of July weekend with a wonderful foster home! We participated in many festivities. I had so much fun swimming in the lake (on leash!), walked in a dog parade, and knew when it was time to relax. I'm still working on controlling my whining in the car.