Canine Good Neighbour Course and Evauator

This morning we had our first meeting with Don French who is a extremely qualified trainer and member of many Professional Dog Groups and Clubs with a very high and valued reputation.
We didn't bring the dogs with us for this meeting as the course will start after the New Year. Today was more of an introduction and Don talked to us about various things and giving us more information as how the course will be run.
This Good Neighbour Course is important for the Pit bulls especially at this time. Hopefully by the end of the course and if we and our dogs pass, not only is this good for us and our dogs, but good to make a copy and sent to Michael Bryant to show how many Pit bulls have taken, completed and hold certificates from the Canadian Kennel Club.

The purpose of the Canine Good Neighbour Program test is to ensure that one of our most favoured companions, the dog, is accepted as a valued member of the community. Canine Good Neighbours can be counted on to present good manners at home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs.

Canine Good Neighbour training is fun, rewarding, and useful, and can enable owners to achieve a better relationship with their dogs.

The classes will be theory and practical, and will be addressing any problems rather than going through things we or our dogs have no probles with.

Today, we filled out forms addressing any problems or behaviour that we may have had or have.

Oh , but you must be thinking from all my brags, but Shasta is perfect. What behaviour needs to be modified with her.

For one, I'm not sure how she will do with a leash attached to her collar. Because of my disabilities and the slightest pull that perhaps the 'normal' person would not feel, on a bad day could feel as if my arm is being pulled out. I've always used a halti or gentle leader on her.

The new law says specifically that dogs are not allowed to be attached to these anymore, but must use the collar or harness. I have been attaching Shasta to her Gentle Leader that then I clip to her collar also.

And she's a 'big time licker!'

Many of the ways I have trained her is for my needs and one of those needs is her staying close to me in practically every situation. An interstesting thing I learnt from Don today that perhaps I can look into later on, is dogs can be taught to get you the proper medication at the right times. A problem I suffer from quite often. I doubt this course will get into this, but now I have another item to put on my list of Service Dog.

Since I fractured and crushed my tail bone, I have taught her to pull me up out of bed without me having to get into the sit position, which of course would feel like I've just been knifed in the butt. Only the Alpha dog (me) is permitted to sleep on the bed, but I'm hoping because my situation is different than most, we can either find a more fitting solution or perhaps that one will be allowed.

Don noticed my face as we spoke about that and I didn't realise it was visuable.

The years of abuse and with Shasta sleeping next to me relaxes me probably better than even Shasta.

I want what's best for Shasta, most DEFINITELY! But my 'special needs' also must be met too.

Here I go worrying again. Tests and I are scarey things. I'm sure I become more familiar with the program I will become more confident, but for now, even though I know everything will be for the best, I'm scared and worried of what I don't know.

I just had a funny thought...what if Shasta passes and I don't? AAAUughhhh! QUIT WORRYING!!!