Hi, I'm Nick

Nick on Gotcha Day, February 22, 2020 

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Hi, My name is Nick and I'm a Service Dog Candidate, learning the things I need to know to be a Service Dog. There's a lot. Mom says the journey is like going from Kindergarten to getting the Doggie equivalent of a Ph.D. I turned six months old yesterday and am a blue Standard Poodle. I live with my mom, and my big sister, Pau. She's a Great Pyrenees, and doesn't like to play near as much as I do.

Nick and Pau

Right now, I'm somewhere in grade school. I have a lot of learning ahead, and I'm building the foundations for what I will need to know, and it's home schooling to boot because learning options have been limited for me due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

I moved in with Mom when I was 10 weeks old and have been on a steep learning curve from the beginning. Like all dogs and kids, I need to learn how to behave at home, on walk, going places, and during grooming. Mom assures me I will be going on many adventures, and I cannot wait. I'm also told that most of the fun will start after the threats from the virus are no longer a threat to Mom's health.

Meeting My Friend Daisy at her most recent Agility Trial. 

The first few months I was with mom, we spent working on foundation skills that will help me learn the more advanced skill. Mom says it's learning to add, subtract, multiply and divide before learning advanced calculus.

I'm being taught using force free training. Mom says it's better for me and I'll learn better. I don't know, I just know that what ever I'm learning and where ever we are, it's fun! I get to work for things, food, toys, games, play. I don't get yelled at or harmed in any way.

Practicing Zen with treats on my paws. 

So far I've learned Touch, Sit, Down, Take, Hold, Give (or as Mom says, thank you), Zen (leave it), Focus (eye contact with Mom), Off, Potty on cue, handling for grooming, and a  bunch of stuff that has to do with dealing with the world around me. It's a lot for a little guy, but it's all FUN!