This week for the first time Daisy performed her task "NOW!" in public.  The process of learning this skill started about nine months ago when Daisy learned to walk on my left side.  Then, about four months ago, Daisy learned to properly walk next to the walker with the "Heel" command.  This is where she walks next to me on the left side right next to my knee, or close to it.  Another part she learned is the "Check-in" skill where while walking she looks up to make eye contact with me.  Finally, over the last month or so Daisy started working on the movement from my left side to in front of the walker with the single word command of "NOW!"

​

For a now eleven-month-old puppy, the sequence all four of these skills into one confirms her ability to process what I'm asking of her and perform it well.  Now, Daisy is not perfect.  As you see in the video she is still a puppy and, therefore, will do puppy things like put her front paws up on the walker.  No punishment, just give it another try.

​

As mentioned prior, working in public presents it's own challenges.  However, even these challenges provide a training opportunity.  First, and most common, are people who want to know about Daisy.  We embrace this experience as it provides multiple opportunities to work on her social skills.  Unlike most service dog training, we encourage Daisy to connect to people as a way to desensitize to distractions.  Other distractions you will see in the video are cars honking, children playing, bicycles, dogs and more.  Daisy is to the point with her training where most of these are just part of her world.