Working Dogs

Today was a busy one for me! Friday is my day to go into the Dogs with Wings office and train the adult dogs. We work with them in the office for a while, and then usually go out to a mall, or walk them outside around the office. I opted to train outdoors....(I sure picked a cold and windy day for that!). They all did very well, and I see an improvement every week!

Elliott was the first one to go out. He is the smallest one in the litter and very cute. Very wiggly, too! He did very well with food distraction, and as always, was gentle when taking treats from my frozen fingers!

Ebony was next. She is very smart and knows a number of cool skills. (Like how to pick up her leash and hand it to you!) She did me a favor by picking up a bobby pin that had fallen out of my hair, and handing it to me! I was so impressed by how she picked up such a tiny object, but then I remembered, ahh thats probably a piece of cake for her. This girl can pick up a dime off the floor!

Meet Everest, the largest in the litter! I believe his nickname is Pony, and it sure suits him. He seems to be very relaxed when you're working with him, and today he proved again how good his down/stay is....even when I approached him saying "What a good boy Everest, look at the good dog!" in my puppy voice, he didn't budge!

This is May, who is such a sweet, quiet girl. She came into the program a little later on, but she's catching on quickly! I particularly love how gentle she is, and her loose leash walking is amazing! All I can say about May is, she will make a lovely companion for someone who needs her. (I wanted her to perk her ears up for the picture, but it didn't really work...)

This is Eddy, "my boy". I'm most familiar with this guy, because I've worked with him the most. He has come with me out to the mall, and various other stores as well as to a elementary school to visit a group of autistic children. He is a very happy, lovable boy and likes to please you. In this picture he is practicing his down/stay which he has become much better at! I love working with this guy....well actually, with all of them!!

Here is Enzo, with May in the background. Another member of the "E" Litter, Enzo is a beautiful, soft boy. Maria is training Enzo in the harness to be a guide dog, so I didn't take him out, but I couldn't leave him out of all the pictures! He is very sweet and playful.