Expanding the Pack -- Adding a Puppy!

Finding Balance With a Puppy and an Older Dog

 At the beginning of the year, my husband and I decided it was time to expand our little pack and adopt a puppy.

 Although we adopted our eldest dog, Juno, as an adult, we felt ready for the challenge of a puppy one more time. But we would still adopt rather than buy a specific breed. We were hoping to find another lab mix, though, so focused our attention with that criteria in mind.

 We watched the listings from our local ASPCA and then also contacted a few rescue organizations. As luck would have it, Black Dogs, Second Chance (BDSC)came back to us with a 4-month-old puppy who was rescued from the streets in southwestern Texas. BDSC felt that our house made for a good fit for the little guy, as he was displaying a little bit of apprehension toward young children which they felt might become an issue.

 Seemingly overnight, we were puppy parents. Our older dog, Juno, was not terribly amused, but she took the newcomer in stride. We named him Polonius, or Polo for short.

 Having both a puppy and an 11-year-old in the house at the same time proved challenging, primarily for the same issues that any new puppy parents face: crate training, redirecting the puppy’s chewing habits to appropriate toys (rather than furniture or us), and making sure the little guy is properly socialized. Of course, Polo wanted to play with Juno, but she has never been one to bounce around and play doggie games, so that left my husband and I to fill the gap. Juno was a little displeased to have her naps interrupted, but soon learned she could move away a little while we played with him so she could go back to her snooze. I can’t say that I didn’t shed tears during the whole process (they were), but after a little while, we found a good routine with both dogs.



Therapy Dog Juno!

 Once the puppy was trained, it was time to re-establish balance in our household. So, we pursued some additional training for the puppy, while our eldest returned to her Therapy Dog visits. I strongly believe the dogs need to have individual attention time from us to be happy and healthy, just as much as it’s important for them to socialize together with other dogs.

 Today, Polonius is not only a graduate of puppy kindergarten, but has gone on to a more advanced “boot camp” where he honed his skills (and added a very useful command called “Place”). He’s currently enrolled in an Advanced Obedience class that’s a precursor towards earning his Canine Good Citizen certificate. We also aspire to have him join an agility team to help him focus his tremendous energy for chasing balls. Of course, he adores his big sister, and can’t wait to see her after he goes to daycare or a class to tell her all about his day. He also still loves to sleep as close as possible to her.

 As for Juno, she’s continuing her Therapy Dog work, and, even though Polo misses her when we leave for a visit, he’s learning the importance of some “alone” time. Like Polo, she greets her little brother with “kisses” when she comes home from her volunteering, and doesn’t mind his snuggles any longer.

Pursuing a balanced pack is a challenge for any dog owner, but it is possible even when they are on different ends of the age spectrum.

Did you know that in shelters, black dogs are the last to be adopted and first to be euthanized?

Find out more at Black Dog, Second Chance Rescue -- http://www.blackdogsecondchance.org/


MJ Courchesne is a freelance publishing consultant, writer, and part-time personal trainer with a passion for gardening, walking, wine, and travel. She lives in a restored 1890s Victorian home situated in the heart of Buffalo, NY with her husband and lab mix, Juno and puppy Polo.. Her new blog can be found at http://nickelcityboomerang.blogspot.com/. 

 

Serving Others as a Therapy Dog -- What's Involved?

About a year ago, I started to contemplate something new to do with my 10-year-old lab mix, Juno. She, my husband, and I enjoy our walks as a pack, as well as traveling when we are not all together in our office at “work.” While I continue building my business, I wanted to have something fun and engaging to do on the side, and if I could take my dog with me, all the better!

 My brother was the first to suggest I look into therapy dog training for Juno, as the hospital he works at utilizes therapy dogs for patients and families on a regular basis, and he felt that our cool-as-a-cucumber lab mix would make a great addition to the volunteer staff there.

 Therapy dogs are not service animals, so they can’t go everywhere their handler does as is the case with a seeing-eye dog or a comfort animal. Therapy dogs do, however, serve an important function by being neutral parties who are simply there to support the emotional needs of others in times of stress. Therapy dogs serve in a number of facilities including but not limited to visits in hospitals, funeral homes, nursing facilities, libraries, schools, colleges and universities, libraries and even airports.

Good Dogs! Juno's classmates patiently wait

 I found a training program run through Therapy Dogs International (TDI), and enrolled Juno and I for the 6 week course this past fall. The training was rather similar to our work on the AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate we earned a few months earlier, but it was a bit more intense.

 Over those six weeks, Juno and I learned as a team how to remain calm if things (canes or other items) were dropped next to us; how to navigate around wheelchairs as well as walkers; and how to remain in a “down stay” for a longer period and allow strangers who may not be used to dogs approach and touch her.

 I’m proud to say that Juno made the training look easy. I have to admit that her age might have been a bit of an advantage, as the other dogs in her class were really puppies no more than three years old to her 10. Still, all of the dogs in her class did remarkably well with the challenges set before them.

 The hardest part for most dogs is the testing phase, during which handlers are not allowed to offer treats to their dog for a job well done. Although Juno is very motivated by food, she is also thankfully very happy for praise or a belly rub, too, so that helped us out in the long run.

 I’m happy to say that Juno passed with flying colors and we are now in the process of getting paperwork completed so we can begin our volunteer time at the hospital. This part takes longer than the training, because of the medical sign-offs and tests that I need to go through (it is a hospital, after all, so I need to be up on my vaccines! Juno’s all ready to go; she’s just waiting for me!

 We will certainly report in again once we begin our visits in earnest. In the meantime, if you and your pup are interested in becoming a certified therapy dog team, you can contact Therapy Dogs International via their website at www.tdi-dog.org.

 

 

 

 

MJ Courchesne is a freelance publishing consultant, writer, and part-time personal trainer with a passion for gardening, walking, wine, and travel. She lives in a restored 1890s Victorian home situated in the heart of Buffalo, NY with her husband and lab mix, Juno. Her new blog can be found at http://nickelcityboomerang.blogspot.com/.