Hello all, I hope you are having a lovely Sunday. I wanted to update you on what I have decided to do thus far regarding the panic attacks. Since it costs so much to acquire one through a program, I have decided to train my own. As some of you may already know, my papillon/ pomerinian mix Luke Bryan is very friendly and full of energy(did I mention full of energy lol), so I thought he would automatically be disqualified right off the block. However, I decided to give it a shot as it doesn't hurt to try things, and so far I have been amazed by what has happened in just a little over a week. In just a little over a week, Luke has been real receptive to learning to sit and stay for periods of time even with distractions. He also has learned to give deep pressure therapy, to walk at my side(he still pulls at time, but the head halter has been helping him so much), to stop when I stop, and to focus on me even when someone else he knows is screaming his name. Today was the turning point when I realized that he might actually make it.
We were taking nice afternoon walk down the busy sidewalk near my apartment, when something told me to drop the leash and tell him to stay in place. I know what you are thinking, that I am out of my mind. I would have thought the same myself, but I prayed and then I told him to sit and stay, while casually dropping the leash and walking a few steps away. To my amazement, he stayed despite cars going buy and people biking on the sidewalk. He didn't move until I gave him the correct command and he made sure that I was ready to walk before walking. If that is not God working I don't know what it is. :) So we decided to take it a step further and try it again on the bike path. Again he stayed despite people walking and children, and I was able to walk 10 feet away. It was incredible! The last thing we tried was him heeling next to me without me holding the leash, and again he actually walked several feet next to me. I didn't want to overwhelm him, so I only did that for a few min. However, I never in a thousand years would have dreamed of him being off leash. Just a few months ago and even a few weeks ago, I would have thought he would have ran off.
I am very impressed with his progress this week and a half, and I hope he continues to do well. If for some reason he does wash out, as that is common with trying to find the ideal service dog, then I will adopt another young adult dog that will make it. I know no matter what God is in control and his will will be done. At the same time, it is so exciting to see my hyper dog learn to focus only on me and be so good! I am including the video links so you all can see for yourself ;). So ya, I am very excited for the future either way, and I will update you all again soon. Have a blessed night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG2tr2SY02Y
Luke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmH7IzA4eTc
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