Determining if a puppy is a viable candidate.
Lake is an amazing puppy! Now we at Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. say that about all of our dogs because it’s the truth; but Lake really is something special! One of the most frequently asked questions we hear when we are out in the community with any of our dogs is: “How do you choose a dog to train to become a service dog?” There are a few traits that our breeder specifically looks for when determining if a puppy is a viable candidate for service dog training.
“The first trait that we look for”, notes Megan Cloudman of Cloud9 Goldens, “is the overall demeanor of the puppy. We need to choose the youngster who is happy to be around humans but doesn’t need to be cuddled, or be a “lap dog” all the time. He/she must be inquisitive and able to stay focused on one thing for a decent period of time. In Lake’s litter he was one of two pups who exhibited this trait and he was the only one who passed the distraction test with flying colors as you can see in this video:
Watching Lake handle that loud distraction in stride is a great reflection of how we anticipate he will assess and react to other diversions he will experience during service dog training and post placement with his human partner.”
Lake has been fully vetted to be healthy and there are no familial traces of hip dysplasia in his bloodline. He’s a sturdy pup with long legs, and he is growing fast. He has assimilated to life in the Eagle household and without a doubt has adapted to his new “brother” Iggy who has exhibited great patience when interacting with our inquisitive puppy. From learning how to use the doggy door, to carrying in a lunch box from the car to the house and even trying to use the tug handle to open the refrigerator, Lake is determined and eager to learn. He was sitting on command at 3 months of age which is a phenomenal feat. He truly wants to work hard and if his training proceeds as expected he will be an amazing assistance dog for his human partner.
He has already made several public appearances around town and does extremely well following commands and interacting with adults and children alike. Here are a few candid photos of our recent visit to the Rosarian Academy where Genesis Assistance Dogs provided some much needed cuddle and hug time after the students suffered the loss of one of their own.
Check back with us in January when we share some training tips used for Lake that are assisting him along the way to being a Genesis Assistance Dog.
