Today we did a practice run, walking to school with Jingle. I had the leash. Riley had the second leash(a kid’s leash) which attaches to the harness, and Seth held onto the harness handle. Todd walked behind us, because Jingle can’t focus as well on her “heel” with people she loves walking in front of her.
Jingle apparantly has not seen many squirrels in her day. Squirrels probably avoided the grounds at 4 Paws, where there were over a hundred dogs and three cats. She wants to lunge at squirrels. She did it a few times on solo walks first with me and then with Todd. This time when she did it, she had four faces bent over hers, “Nooooooooooo.” We all said it 
at once, with Seth and I holding fast to her muzzle.
Jingle’s ears flew back, she looked up with her big eyes, “Gulp.”
I walked her again by myself after dropping the kids back home. There were squirrels. She wanted them, but she looked to me for treats instead.
Her focus on me was almost frantic,
“Help! I’m dying here! I’m heeling! Give me a treat! I’m trying not to chase that squirrel!”
Good dog!
She got her treats.
She got the message.
How delightful that Riley has her dog.
Your web site is great, by the way.
must say, love this photo of Jingle… I propose it as her new profile pic…
Hi guys!
I am so excited to have found your blog and even more excited to see Jingle helping Riley!
My fiance and I are at the end of a year raising a service dog for Pacific Assistance Dogs. Einstein will be placed with someone in a wheel chair, as a bracing dog for someone with stability problems or as a therapy dog after a year of advanced training. Our main focus while volunteering to raise him has been obedience and socializing. We’ve had him since 8 weeks and he’s almost a year old. It’s been an amazing experience and the community at PADS is wonderful to be part of. Every time we hear a story of the amazing work that dogs like Einstein and Jingle do it fills us with pride. There are definitely hard days of training so it’s always good to have a reminder of why we’re doing this.
Anyway, your blog is a way cool look into the client’s side of having a service dog. And it also inspires me to work at opening up my own service dog program in BC that caters to children.
Thanks!! And have fun!
She is one smart cookie. Just love Riley’s dog!!
It strikes me that what Jingle wanted from you was exactly what we all pray she will give to Riley: love, a little reassurance to make it easier for her to cope with the stress.
Even dogs give what they get, I guess. Soooo cool.