This week we focused heavily on Stairs stability and shaping the “Front” Command so Ella can assist with helping her handler stand from either the heel position or from the front position. We have been working on Ella’s stair stability for a couple weeks and she has gotten better. We walk up and down stairs one stair at a time while applying pressure to her shoulders to simulate a 5-year-old leaning on her for support.
My assessment of Ella to assist a 5-year-old with Cerebral Palsy is as follows: As Ella’s confidence has grown here at Orofino, it has become evident she has a high play and pack drive. This behavior can be problematic in a service dog because her temperament changes around other dogs. She will pull towards and hyper focus on other dogs as she just wants to play. When walking in a heel, she also likes to forge ahead at times. When she does this and I say “nope” she will get back into a heel but other times she is resistant. This is also her pack and play drive. Her temperament is not those of other dogs that walks in a perfect heel and have generally low energy. She requires her handler to be on their A game when working with her. If she is given an inch, she will take a mile. She is also very fast and strong for a 50-pound dog. She has a lot of energy even after two play times a day where she is running and chasing other dogs. Ella’s fear issues can be an issue too. At times she thinks she has done something wrong and will break from a command and go cower in her crate. This will be an issue while in public. She is also fearful of new environments and her handler will need to be aware she will be a handful in those situation.
