Pet Fair at the YMCA

A few weeks ago, our YMCA contacted us and asked us to set up a booth about CCI at their annual "Pet Fair."  The YMCA has been so supportive of Dante and love when I bring him (they even put an article about him/CCI/puppy raising in their newsletter).  They know that we are looking for puppy raisers so I was super excited that they asked us.  So, last weekend was the day.  

We had a great time telling people about CCI, and Dante had an even better time showing off some of his commands and greeting the people and pets who came! 

People greeting

Dante was a little unsure about this guy at first, but he was super sweet and Dante got comfortable fast.

Search and Rescue dogs - they were SO well behaved.  Hopefully D learned something from them!

I think we got more interest in puppy raising from the people from the Therapy org. across from us :-)

 

Chillin'

Local K9 police officer came and did a demo for everyone.

The dog got really excited as soon as the suit came out.  His handler said he knows it means he gets to work :-)

Selling kisses for a local shelter.  D should have been back there - seriously, this dog and his tongue.

Taking a much needed break with some peanut butter.

Dante's Trip to the YMCA

Dante has had a pretty slow week this past week by the way of outings.  Thursday was his first day out since the weekend.  My mom took him to the YMCA for the fist time.  He was not behaving very well, so they only stayed about fifteen minutes.  But the people at the Y loved Dante, and even asked to get some pictures of him for their newsletter.  As soon as the camera came out, Dante couldn't have been more perfect.  He is such a ham!

Yesterday we went back, and Dante was (almost) perfect (maybe because we were taking his picture ;-)!  It was also really nice that it was almost empty - more room and options to be able to let Dante check everything out!

He wasn't very interested in the huge balls:

Dante got to check out the treadmills:

FINALLY a good sit!  I knew it was in him somewhere!

And then go on them (stationary) and practice some of his commands:

He got to check out the elliptical machines.  He was so funny because when I released him to "check it out" he stepped up with his front paws and looked back as if to say "I'm ready for my picture!"  

Dante also got to practice holding a "down" next to moving equipment:

Dante posing again.  If this whole service dog thing doesn't work out, he needs to go into modeling ;-)

 Dante did so well at the YMCA!  We are still taking his outing pretty slowly, so we decided that we would come back another time to check out the pool and gymnasium areas.

He has hit his "teenage" stage full force the last two weeks, and his behavior (at home and out) is hit or miss.  Sometimes he is great, but more so than not, he acts as if he has forgotten everything he knows.  Right now I am so thankful that we did not rush his commands, but really spent time enforcing the ones he knew (he knows 16 out of the 30 that I will teach him!).  It's making this time a little easier!