Exploring the world

The past week has been all about extending Toby's boundaries and introducing him to the wonders of the wide world. He has been visiting a wide variety of places and businesses as he develops his people skills and his ability to navigate the world.

While Toby is going to be a Companion Dog rather than a Disability Assist Dog with Public Access - his training is essentially the same. Toby needs to meet as many new people as possible, and experience as many new places as he can so that he will be confident and comfortable in new situations as an adult.

Part of his training also involves him spending time with his future family. While traditional service/assistance dog placements don't match the dog to the person until they are fully trained - our programme is modelled on one that introduces the child with Autism and their future dog as soon as possible. This has two benefits - it allows the child to get used to the puppy over time, and it allows the puppy the chance to get used to the individual mannerisms and stimming behaviours of their child. This process also allows the family to get used to their dog over time, and it allows the family to be involved in the training process.

Toby has already met his little person and their family three times, and each time the meeting goes a little more smoothly. The whole process is helped by the fact that Toby is an exceptional puppy who is very sweet natured and willing to learn. While he is still a puppy who makes puppy mistakes, overall Toby is a sensible and loving puppy who loves to learn. While a Golden retriever is not always going to be the first breed choice for every family, Arangold has once again provided us with a very special young puppy with loads of potential.

Toby has now mastered quite a few of his commands. To be considered mastered the dog (or puppy) must respond to the command the first time that it is given 9 times out of 10. By that count he has mastered:

Sit Wait, Busy (toileting command), Crate (entering his crate on command), Car (climbing into and lying down in the car), Come here, and Paw (shaking hands)

Check back to see how Toby is progressing. Each week he learns something new, or discovers a new place to explore.

Thank you to everyone who has provided support for Toby's training - either by supporting our fundraising efforts, or by opening your doors to a training opportunity for a very special young dog.