Wonderful Training Today

There's always something special about taking a pup out on his/her first trip to stores.  I love the reactions a pup gets as she prances around the store in the heel position wearing a "Service Dog in Training" jacket that is miles too big.  There is something about a dog that changes people.  It turns grumpy people happy, it puts a smile on the most unexpected face, and just brings joy to everyone young and old.  This was my experience today.  How many times have you gone to the pharmacy and seen the people working there sitting right down on the floor?  Dogs bring people to the floor.

In a coffee shop the usual scene is a line-up of people waiting for their drinks, looking down texting or checking Facebook.  Rarely do we get to know the names of the neighbours in line.  Today Jedi entered Starbucks for the first time.  8 people were in line and each of them turned around and smiled at Jedi.  Many of them asked me questions about her.  It was our lucky day today because in line there were two fully-uniformed paramedics.  Jedi got to meet some heroes today.  They ordered their drinks and stood aside and waited for me.  They both introduced themselves to me and allowed me to take their picture with Jedi.  What a lovely outing for this pup in training.  She not only experienced shopping carts, wet floor signs, people, kids, smells, but she also made people smile. A gift that only a dog seems to be able to do.

Today Jedi did so well with her first "real" social training.  She enjoyed everyone and showed no signs of fear at all.  I walked her through the smelly fish area at Loblaws and she stayed focused on me even through the smell.  Dogs are such a gift to humans.  They change the aura of society and help people smile more.  Have you hugged a dog today?