The Evaluation, Learning to Ask for Help
Doc has a motto that you should practice what you preach, so when Doc realized that she needed some assistance in getting me ready to take the therapy dog certification test, she asked for help. So, last Thursday we got in the car and went to this place to see a nice lady that met with us to observe both of our behaviors. You see, if Doc doesn’t give me clear messages about what she expects, I don’t understand the command and follow through. We must learn to communicate like a team.
When we got to the facility, my curiosity was immediately peeked as I could hear dogs barking off in the distance. We walked through the front door and then were ushered into a large room and the only thing in it were two folding chairs and a dog bed in the corner. I was so excited that the lady didn’t need to ask what we needed to work on because I showed her in under two minutes. As I heard other dogs barking in the facility, I decided to be polite and bark back. It made it hard for Doc to hear the trainer, so she asked me to stop, but I was too revved up to listen. I did follow the commands sit, down and heel but then I got so excited I jumped up on Doc. That was a big mistake as she tried to correct me, but I wouldn’t listen. She told the lady that I had just started doing this again recently. After some more observation, the lady gave Doc some feedback about what she observed and what she thought would help. She said that Doc wasn’t always clear about what she wanted me to do so I just thought Doc wanted to play with me and she was right. I knew we had come to the right place because Doc will get trained right along with me. After some more observation and discussion, a plan was put into place.
Next Monday, Doc will drop me off for a two-week training that she calls puppy rehab. I am going to miss Doc and everyone at work, but it sounds like fun. When I complete the course Doc will come and we will do our first lesson together on the day she picks me up. Since Doc is in the business of communication, she knows how important this is. She often sees poor communication between humans that don’t want to admit that they need help breaking the old patterns that are causing them problems. She said sometimes our egos keep us from asking for help because then we must admit we don’t have all the answers.
When I come back from my puppy school, I will be better prepared to help Doc with our patients and then go and get certified. It’s an exciting transition and I am glad Doc asked for someone to help us.
“Sometimes the bravest thing you can ever do is to ask for help.” Peter Parker, from the movie Spiderman