I've been a slacker on the Dog Blog lately, with only a few posts, but I'm back and feel like talking about dogs. What's up with your crew? Any new skills? Challenges? Accomplishments?
Jillie, if I can get her cleaned up in time, will take her Pet Partners therapy dog test tomorrow. It will be her third try at the test -- she failed the first and passed her second two years ago. She's up for renewal tomorrow.
She is well-suited to be a therapy dog because she's tiny, fits right up on hospital beds and has a great personality. Her only problem is significant -- she has a tendency to lick. Some people will say it's submissive behavior, but I'm not sure that's it with her. I feel like she's doing it for attention. Either that, or she just likes how we taste.
"Kissing" is a no-no for therapy dogs. They can get away with one, maybe two, but any persistent licking is a disqualification. That's how we failed during her first attempt. Since then, she learned a "No kisses" command. I taught it like every other trick my dogs do -- she got treats for not licking.
It works well, but I have to keep saying it. Whether we pass is how well she listens to me tomorrow. Wish us luck!
What's up with your crew?
Anchorage