You are doing a marvelous thing and the kids will love it. I ran a group home for mentally challenged srs. for 20 yrs. I had labs at the time and the residents seemed to come to life when they visited. Dogs are wonderful therapy to pick up their spirits. They are going to love him and you. Very special people give of themselves for others and obviously you are one!

That's exactly what I would like to do.

at a Nursing Home near our house. It started when we walked by with Stoli as a puppy, the patients were outside and they called us up to come visit. We have befriended some of them and there is one particular man who is more lucid than the others who asked for pictures of the boys for his room. Stoli sits on the bench next to him in the summer and we visit for a few minutes.

you are our inspiration...hugs.

I think that's wonderful, and besides he's a cutie

Cathy & Zimmer



MidAtlantic Bulldog Rescue is a NJ Non Profit Corporation and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

http://www.midatlanticbulldogrescue.com

And I know he is going to be awesome. My mom passed away from cancer seven years ago and I knew from that point that I couldn't handle visiting sick people. But I SO admire people who do - you and Stosh will do so much good out there!

I always said to myself that I would get a polaroid camera and take pics to leave with the people I visited. For old folks who never get visitors, it is something for them to look at until the next time. For those whose families come and see them, it is a subject of conversation. Just an idea...

I just have reached a point in life that I want to start doing some volunteer work. I thought about doing it with Stoli but he is not as laid back as Stosh. Now if we can just pass the test.

Just keep working on him! He is going to be a big hit with the people at the hospital! People just love Bulldogs! When PollyAnna misses for any reason the residents always ask the replacement where the pretty bulldog is. Work on the down stays without treats or toys for a few seconds until eventually he can do it for at least 3-minutes. Make it fun for him so he won't lose interest. Good luck!!!!!!

Also check into being a Reading Education Assistance Dog. READ dogs help children with their reading skills! PollyAnna is a registered reading dog and it is a lot of fun!




Bulldogs...its an obsession!


"PollyAnna's Words of Wisdom" the book!
Click here for a link!
http://www.lakeside-studio-petportraits-andmore.com

It's a very basic test. We did it after our last night of an obedience class and Quigs did really well. They are looking for the very basics...If this is Stosh's 3rd obedience class I'm sure he'll be great! I think I did the test with Quigs after his 3rd class as well. He is also 4 years old and I guess he's had it about a year.

that gorgeous boy will make a lot of kids happy!

I would have loved to do the therapy dog thing with Stella but the Québec program was a mess at the time I wanted to do it.

You are very brave to go to a pediatric cancer centre - I couldn't handle it!! I was thinking I'd more do seniors (still touching but not as sad as kids with cancer - yikes!)

I can see where your instructor might not want you using treats in class and on visits, but that shouldn't mean you can't use treats when training at home and in new places. The treats can be used to teach him behaviors, then faded after he knows what you want. Similar to doing competitive Obedience - you use treats to teach, but never in actual competition.
Remember, unlike a lot of dogs, Bullies don't work for 'free'.
Best of Luck in getting your boy certified, you are doing a wonderful thing.

you will bring alot of smiles to alot of kids butt in the air or not

I know how they make me smile, so I can only imagine how happy those children will be, good luck

Glad that worked.

...we discuss the CGC and what's expected and also have a link to AKC's page about it. You can get to it by clicking on the "Bulldogs in Action" link on the homepage or go directly to BulldogPerformance.org

YES--by all means reward, reward, reward when you're training...as your dog learns what's expected you gradually wean off the treats--but I still randomly reward to keep them motivated. Bulldogs don't like to "work for free" but they can learn to wait for their treat until they're done with their "run". When you show in the obedience ring you can't have treats either--you CAN praise them/pat them between exercises, but no treats until you leave the ring...THEN they get their "jackpot"! They will learn to wait for & anticipate this

Thanks!

he will never drop it.

We can use treats in class but not during the test when it is given off site. My worry is that Stosh needs that reward so I guess we see what happens when we go without.

Roc and Carm have their cgc's and both are newly retired therapy dogs
Since you can't use treats and mine too, well one and I won't name names, had an issue with down withoput the use of treats. I got some greasy flakey smelly treats and rubbed them on my fingers for like 10 minutes and practiced our down a few times right before the test. They said it was fine to use hand signals so when they went for a down. I made my fingers pinched together like I had a treat and let their nose follow it down till they went down. The dogs assumed there was a treat since my hands were so smelly of liver!!

So just fake the dogs out and make your fingers stinky of liver and you got it in the bag!!
Good Luck toyou both!!

First off, I agree with Tom - use the treats when you train at home (just use them sparingly). Second, the test says that you have to prove your dog will 'Sit' and 'Down' on command. The stay part can be done in either position. If he stays better in a 'Sit', then use that.
Many dogs have problems with the supervised separation. You can practice this with different trusted people in various places. They can talk to him, but tell them to not hype him up. No excessive petting or talking!
Our guys usually have an issue with the 'Leave it' when confronted with something yummy. I had to really work on this with Q! lol
It's so worth it!!

Ready for work!
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Olivia/Kano/Q-Ball

you will be a great therapy dog, and we especially like your cause!! yea mirella!!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kaitlynschwartz

Mack 'n' TMaeMack

You have some time for the certification? Then don't worry.

You train all your exercises with food and start alternating food, belly rubs, ear rubs, toys after each good exercise. Next to that you start training at home. Each time your dog gets a treat of a piece of your lunch, ask him "down", give him his treat and release. If you go out for a walk, ask him a down or sit before putting him on leash. So all things he love to do, let him give a down or a sit first.

You'll see very quickly that he can do a down without food! By asking a down for all thing nice (walks, belly rubs, getting a toy,etc) he'll learn the food isn't the only reward.

Good luck and go visit the kids!

Ineke

That's really odd. I training school that I take my dogs to uses clicker training (click and treat). The results are amazing.

Your dog would "get it" much faster if he could be rewarded with a treat.

2 of my bulldogs have their CGC. I think the most difficult excersizes are the unexpected loud noise and the leave the dog for a few minutes.

Good luck to you & your bully.

Sue