Kiyla lives with two dogs, Dexter and Ernie. She has learned a lot from them – how to find the best seat on the couch, where to stash your favorite stuffed toy, and how to get mom to open the back door.
She tries to thank them for their help in strange ways, usually by trying to nap on their laps. After a recent rain shower, Kiyla helped Dexter “dry off” by licking all of the rain drops off of his coat.
Kiyla is picking up more and more skills that will help her when she moves to VMRC. One of those skills is her “go to mat” command. Using this command, staff can help Kiyla offer quiet comfort to those who could just use her company, while keeping her out of the way of staff, visitors, and equipment.
We’ve also been working on “wait.” Kiyla is a smart girl – she’ll wait on her mat until she’s given the “ok” or “free” command. This is one of the last skills she’ll need to master to earn her Canine Good Citizen certification.
Lately we’ve also been working on teaching Kiyla to greet people on the side, rather than right in front. This way, she won’t trip up anyone in a walker, or risk getting run over by wheelchairs. She is picking all of this up so quickly – I think she is ready for her big trip to Harrisonburg and wants to make sure nothing is holding her back!
In this video, Kiyla demonstrates some of her skills; kennel up, sit, and down.
She even ignores the distractions of my dog Ernie, who covets her treats!
Last Saturday, Kiyla and I met Sue at a local outdoor mall to work a little more on her “public” training. Kiyla was very excited to see Sue, and smell all of the smells in the courtyard, but she soon settled down and showed Sue all of her good manners.
We visited Three Dog Bakery, every dog’s dream, where she got her harness professionally adjusted. She also sat on command and ignored the temptations in the store (both of the food and canine variety), and was rewarded with some yummy freshly baked treats.
Sue and Kiyla
After a bit of shopping, it was on to leash work. Kiyla kept trying to sneak a peek at the beautiful hound dog she saw in every store window (aka her own reflection!), and did very well on her leash. She still has a little work to do, but especially near the end of the walk she did very well.
Kiyla and I walked a few more laps around the outdoor mall – the day was GORGEOUS, and we needed to walk off some of the treats Kiyla had earned during our time with Sue. We saw janitors with their cleaning carts, noisy babies in big strollers, a lady in a wheel chair, and a very cute puppy. Kiyla saw them all, and went right back to the task at hand – walking with me.
Kiyla waits under the table during lunch
A few laps, and it was time for lunch. I ordered lunch to go at Panera, and Kiyla and I settled down at a little table in the sun. She was extremely well-mannered, and lay down under the table while I ate. Again, kids ran by, two very big golden retrievers walked by, and Kiyla just kept her “down stay” under the table. Even when I got up to chase down some napkins caught in the breeze, she stayed put.
Kiyla has learned so much so far, and she is trying very hard to be the perfect dog. We still have a little more work to do, but I know she will be a great addition to the facility.
A typical session with Kiyla lasts 5 – 10 minutes. Here’s a peek into how she’s learning to “leave it.”
Teaching Kiyla to “Leave It” from Sarah Clinton on Vimeo.
I’ve got a treat in my hand, and she only gets it when she ignores it, or “leaves” it. This is quickly becoming her favorite thing to do, because all she has to do is ignore the treat, and then she gets it!
Kiyla and Dee
Dee Bogetti came to the house today for another training session with Kiyla. It seems like just yesterday she and Sue were here, but I was eager to show them all of the progress Kiyla has made since their last visit.
Kiyla was, too, especially since Dee was holding treats!
Since Thursday, we’ve been focusing mainly on Kiyla’s sit, down, leave it, watch me, and follow commands.
During the week, Kiyla sits for everything – before meals, before coming out of her kennel, at the door before we go to the backyard, before ear rubs – so she was very quick to sit for Dee’s handful of treats. We’ll be working this week on teaching her to keep a sit until she’s given her release signal, free.
Kiyla in a "down"
Kiyla’s second “default” command is down. She’s very good at down.
Leave it is a little harder for her – her hound nose keeps telling her that something delicious is just out of reach, and she’s loathe to let it out of her sight. But Dee gave me some great tips to teach her that “good things come to those who wait.” Luckily Kiyla trusts that people have her best interests at heart, and is learning that she gets lots of yummy treats if she just waits for it to be given to her.
Eventually, Kiyla will learn to ignore dropped food and other interesting tidbits, which will come in handy during meal times and visits with her new family.
I'm sitting. Will you please rub my ears?
This week, we’ll continue to work on Kiyla’s basic commands, including getting her to stay for longer and longer periods of time. We’ll practice her commands in new environments, like PetSmart and restaurant patios. We’ll also continue to work on her leash manners, so she can enjoy supervised walks with the residents in her new home.
Kiyla is a great little dog, and she has learned so much in a short amount of time!
Kiyla is resting.
She’s earned it. After spending the better part of a week just getting used to life outside of the shelter, Kiyla’s service dog training is beginning in earnest. She has learned that sitting gets her lots of good stuff – treats! ear rubs! a chance to play outside! – and is eager to learn more.
It’s hard to believe that Kiyla has been with me for more than a week. She is such a calm, sweet girl, and has settled into the household routine very easily. She is a great icebreaker; on her first day, she helped facilitate an introduction to my new neighbors.
This morning, Dee came to the house for our first official training session. She was very impressed with Kiyla’s progress, and we all are excited at Kiyla’s potential!
This week, we’ll focus on:
Commands
Down
Watch me
Leave it
Follow me
“Free”
We’ll also play with the clicker to try to shape some fun tricks.
Oh – a nail trim. Every special lady deserves a pedicure, right?
'Til I Meet You 