A High School Graduation - with a Service Dog twist!

Life with Ranger is rarely dull!   Last night we attended the Class of 2011 AHS Graduation with mom and my brother.  It was a huge event for a number of reasons.  The graduates were kids I'd known *almost* since they were born.  That's really big stuff!  But, for Ranger and I, there were other reasons.

First, it was the first time he'd attended a graduation ceremony.  This in and of itself was big.  It was also the first time he'd attended a gathering of that many people for at least the last 6 months - but most definitely especially since we'd started back training again.  We also sat *right* behind the percussion section of the band.  While he's no stranger to high school band concerts - he's *not* used to being so close!   Unfortunately, due to late arrival, this couldn't be helped and we just did the best we could with what we had to work with.  After his first startle-fear response to the loud percussion/band's sudden start, I knew to move him out of the situation for the recessional!

The other *really* big marker for last night was it was the first time he was in public in his new harness!   Thanks to a lot of generous sponsors, we were not only able to get our harness, but Katrina Boldry had it finished and arriving *on* the day of graduation!!  When I went to the post office and saw the box with her address, I was crying.   I had been in so much physical pain for the prior few days that I had no clue how I'd be able to manage the graduation ceremony without the harness - and there it was!

Ranger *loves* his harness.  He will lay down and nap on his mat with it on!  He doesn't hesitate at all for me to put it on him and he's learning to adjust his walking pace and place to where he needs to be for me to hold on to his harness handle.   It was *super* easy to fit and adjust and is a *snap* to put on and take off.  I *love* the fold down handle (especially for laying down napping next to me during the day or in the car!)

We have lots of work to do to re-build his self-confidence.  Taking a training hiatus was a horrible thing for us, even though it was absolutely necessary and unavoidable.  He gets jumpy and skittish around new people, especially when we're out and especially in new settings.  That's not good.  He's hyper-alert, turning around to see behind him/I or paying attention to everything *but* me.  Again, *not* good.   So, we're going back to positive reinforcement training and lots of confidence building games and outings as much as possible.  

I remember a friend who had a Beauceron who, at about Ranger's age, showed the same signs of discontent.  I remember all too well that it was from them taking a 'training hiatus' too and that it took her moving him all the way back to tethering and 'NILF' and train him back up again with old tasks, and some new ones too!  He's now twice Ranger's age and is doing *great*, loves working, and is focused *on her*.   So, there's hope for us.

Jessica and Ranger
Lunar K9s Service Dog Team