Goals and Aspirations

[SullyBear]

Hey there,

One day I would love to fully train Sully off lead to be able to perform solely all of his tasks and alerts as a service dog both inside and out. Right now he's doing fabulous in public access. Very controlled, follows through with cues, watches me in every situation, he's an amazing worker.

I want to be able to contiune to build that generalization everywhere. Outside, parks, buildings etc.

Some of his tasks is to get my daughters if needed in an event should I be unattended in my wheelchair [if something where to happen medically or just needing them]. BTW we are all Deaf - hence why he has to get them. If they aren't facing me they can't see me sign and I can't yell to them.

Last time we went to the mall - someone made kissing noises and he completely ignored her as he went a far distance to go to my daughter pretending to look at items on the display table of clothing. He went to her and nudged her hands and if she doesn’t respond she jumps up lightly and nudges her arm again facing front and waits for her to follow him back to me [when Sully got my daughter and even after the lady came up and was like oh my! He's a service dog - reading his vest it said do not interfere. She felt bad. It definitely put Sully up to the test! He passed. I always have a traffic lead on him [but outside is a different story].

Only thing I get a bit cautious is other dogs - seen way too many pet dogs that aren't socialized in areas that they shouldn’t be and he can get a bit excitable with various smells [at times].

Any feedback, suggestions and experiences?

[Snowshoe]

What a good boy. Those are extremely important tasks and I know it can be done, our rescue ESS was completely dependable off leash- BUT - she had much fewer jobs to do. She was trained before we got her, I couldn't do it. I suppose you have a medical support group for yourself, can they point you to dog trainers who specialize? Seems to me this is something you need in person guidance with. Good luck.

[SullyBear]

Thank you! 😊