Halloween Fun

Reminder: The next graduation and matriculation ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00am at the Dublin Recreation Center in Dublin, OH. For puppy raisers of dogs returning for Advanced Training, please have medical paperwork returned by Friday, November 4, 2011.

Puppy Training Challenge: Halloween night, when the trick or treaters are roaming your neighborhood, have the puppy you are raising practice crate time. Please do not have the puppy greet every ghost, goblin, and fairy princess that rings your bell. Distracted puppy raisers, can create distracted CCI puppies. Halloween should be fun, not scary. Would you like to be forced to enter a haunted house? Remember forcing a puppy that is showing fear into a situation, will only make the fear worse. Please contact CCI if the puppy shows any fear.

Puppy Raiser Tip:
Socialization is about building positive associations and confidence. Exposing the puppy to novel sounds, people, and items will help set the puppy up for success. Puppy raising, as you are all aware, takes commitment, focus, and patience. Training sessions should be deliberate and focused on the puppy. The puppy raiser should always be aware of what the puppy is doing and how it is reacting, especially when in public. The younger the puppy is, the more focus should be on the puppy. Timing and consistency are of the utmost importance in being successful in raising an assistance dog.

Puppy raising should be fun for both puppy raiser and puppy. A successful puppy raiser will develop a relationship that is based on mutual understanding. I know what you are doing, and you know what I am doing. If human and dog are on separate pages, a working relationship is not possible.

Below you will find some examples from CCI's annual puppy class Halloween party emphasizing relationship building, learning, and building confidence.

Remote control with balloon 

 

Michael King (Apprentice Instructor) dressed as a utility worker

One of CCI's resident exotic animals

Climbing Halloween decoration with scary sounds

 

Teaching "sit" on novel surfaces

 

Teaching body awareness

 

Fun Halloween decorations blowing in the wind

Control around small animatronic animals

 

Commands on grated surfaces

 

More novel surfaces

Exposing the puppy to movement and strange sounds

Have a very fun and safe Halloween.  Remember common sense is our friend.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Program Manager

Welcome to the Puppy Raising Tip blog of the North Central Region of Canine Companions for Independence®. This new format will allow CCI staff greater opportunities to share information about raising a CCI puppy. Puppy raisers can look forward to more pictures and videos to help explain CCI's training expectations. The goal of the puppy raising tips is to assist and connect with puppy raisers on a consistent basis with commonly asked questions and behavioral problems.

You will find that there is no comment section for the blog. Please email me or call the center to get assistance with any questions, concerns, or issues you are having with raising the CCI puppy.

Due to regional differences these puppy tips are intended specifically for puppy raisers of the North Central Region. This blog is not to be shared with anyone outside of CCI. Please DO NOT post this blog to any social networking sites. If the content of this blog is posted or shared, CCI will be forced to discontinue this blog. Questions about sharing puppy tips should be directed to Suzanne Sliclen, Puppy Program Manager for the North Central Region.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen