Training Tails: Rhea - Week 2 Update

Handlers: Elzea and O'Conner

Week 2:

    End of week two and Rhea is performing with the basics quite well. She is a smart dog and eager to please with what she knows to be good behavior. When Rhea is in a fearful state (This happens quite often), she is non-biddable, there is not much you can do to get her attention or focus. She struggles with trusting in her handler and not wanting to stare ahead and risk asses. She pulls on lead when in a fearful state and has moments of darting back and forth when handler attempts to reset the dog after being out ahead of handler and pulling. Darts back and then very fast to being out in front. Again this when she is fearful. When excited or hyperactive focusing on other dogs, she can be the same but with more energy. I have been working on redirection exercises, getting her attention back when she is staring. I have seen her be quite receptive when having a reasonable amount of space between her and other dogs. Once the space is closed, she is unable to redirect back to handler. This is still workable but not a good sign for a service dog. The time going down to walk the facility has been getting better. She is quite fond of the chow hall, Her duration under is awesome. Likely due to her feeling safe while under handler. Reaction to moving carts minimal. Moving around the hallways and up and down the elevator, she gets into feeling the need to risk asses each new area instead of trusting handler when moving about. I have started taking a few minutes to let her acclimate in a duration sit after entering a new area. She is willing to enter and exit elevator without too much reluctance but while riding she is pretty over whelmed. Most every dog is when first starting the training. Overall, the time thus far has been good and bad. I will continue giving her all the time and patience I have.