Last night Jingle was spooked by noises outside the hotel room door and she barked a few times in the night. I tried to soothe her, “It’s okay Jingle. You’re okay.” I got out of bed to pat her and comfort her a couple of times.
Today we learned DO NOT TRY TO SOOTHE A BARKING DOG. A firm “NO” command will suffice. Soothing only rewards the behavior we don’t want. Ooopsey!
These dogs are well trained, but they are not used to us. We have not been their trainers. Our voices are unfamiliar. Our commands sound different. They don’t know if we’re serious, or if they can push it. They do not respect us yet.
Jingle is a sweetie, but she’s young, just 11 months. She is very excitable, but she takes a firm correction really well. Riley is getting more comfortable with her. She was skittish at first, afraid to give treats for fear of being bitten. She’d give a command, and then pull her hand back before delivering the treat, confusing Jingle.
Today Riley learned a few tricks for Jingle to perform. Jingle already knows all the tricks, but taking direction from us is different. The tricks are not part of what a service dog is required to do, but the trainer says they are an important part of bonding the child and dog, (KIDS LOVE TRICKS), and a huge part of the socialization piece these dogs play for a lot of kids. She will be the kid with the cool dog who does tricks!
Jingle does gimme five, high five, shake, roll over, sit, lay down. She’s probably got a few others but we didn’t learn them yet. This seriously was about 1/2 hour of a very full day, but Riley did love it.
There is another nine year old girl in the class who is much like Riley. So much like Riley, that neither makes the first move, and they’ve hardly spoken two words to each other, but for Riley this other girl’s presence seems like a relief.
4 Paws has a great set up with a playroom adjacent to the training floor. The kids are allowed to wander back and forth, and sibs have so much fun, all within eyesight/earshot of the parents being trained. The staff is really cool about kids coming in and out and kids with autism can stim and hoot and holler and no one bats an eye. 
Little man finally broke down this evening. He wanted to make Jingle do some tricks, but we are having to take a firm stance, Riley is the only one to give Jingle treats, at least until a strong bond is formed. He felt left out and had a good, yet uncharacteristic cry. He got cuddled by me, promised his own dog one day, and was allowed to stay up late to work on his new Legos.
He can’t help but love her too.
Wow, that is a tricky spot the boy is in, not being allowed to vie for the attention of such a cool new addition to the family. It is a testament to your parenting that he understands Riley’s needs are being met, and trusts that his will be too. Perhaps a weekend trip honoring a particularly Sethly desire should be in the works soon…
-e-
The service dog providers sure do have different theories about barking and correcting barking. Maybe it has something to do with the difference in dogs that are raised from birth in the service dog facility (sheltered) vs. dogs that are not? I don’t know.
We were told that barking is a very important way that a dog communicates with its people. For example, we were told that if a stranger comes to the door – makes noise outside – the barking dog is trying to warn us that there could be danger – someone she doesn’t know is a friend. We were told to tell the dog something like “I know. I hear it, too. It’s OK. It’s OK. Thank you for letting us know someone is outside. Good girl!” And give her a treat if you want the dog to continue to warn you of something dangerous or atypical. I think what you did, Michelle, was appropriate. You acknowledged that the dog was trying to tell you something she felt was important for your safety but you did not treat her. You didn’t scold her for trying to tell you something important.
Barking is a way they can communicate to you. I guess one would have to determine if what they are trying to tell you is important of if they are just yapping. And how you respond should depend on if you want them to communicate things that are not specifically Riley centric.
Our dog is a service dog for Miss B but I appreciate knowing that she has her eyes and ears on at all times, looking out for us as dogs do, too. The security (barking) is an added bonus for us. She has done it only 3 times, very appropriately, and I praised her and treated her each time.
It just depends on what you guys as a family want Jingle to be. But I don’t agree with silencing a dog who is trying to warn you of danger. That seems like something that would be very hard for the dog to deal with.
Just my two cents, ok?
xo
As for us, if we want the dog in the school, she can’t be barking at every new person who walks in the class room or knocks on the classroom door, or who walks by the classroom. Riley is capable of communicating, so we do not need Jingle to bark to communicate with us for Riley’s needs.
The dogs for the hearing impaired, or non verbal kids are being trained differently.
That makes sense.
Sorry. My posting was interrupted by a little girl and her dog.
That does make sense.
However, Jingle was in a room, sleeping with her people, not in a busy classroom with Riley and students. Does that make sense?
I can’t remember but I think they do understand situational specificity.
Yes. I just looked in the manual:
“Dogs associate behaviors with situational specifity.”
I’m sorry if I have overstepped. I am just trying to help, only 5 months into this service dog thing.
I love the pictures! This must be so overwhelming at times for Riley but yet, in the end, it will be another successful experience for her – with big rewards. The idea of bringing Jingle to school is wonderful.
Seth is a sweet and patient boy. If I could hug him I would.
Adam said very seriously this morning “Mom,I’m saving up for a dog. An old and skinny dog.” I’m not ready for an old and skinny dog yet, but seeing your family with Jingle…perhaps.
Nae,
An old skinny dog? How funny! Leave it to Adam. I’m rooting for him to get old Mr. Bones.
Hi guys, following along with you when I can, recovering from FLU – I love Jingle. It looks like it is going great. You are handling Seth’s needs so well, too. He is a trooper. I am loving the pictures. I also must have one of those tshirts.
Love the pix of Seth. Poor patient boy! This is a big coupla weeks for all of you guys! Love following this story….
KILLING ME!