Here's Some Pawsitivity For You! A Pupdate on SSD Belle

It's hard to believe it's been over a year since we officially announced our sponsorship of SSD Belle in collaboration with Susquehanna Service Dogs! To celebrate, we have some exciting pupdates to share to help you catch up with Belle.

A student at Penn State University is raising SSD Belle, which means she has been attending college classes with her raiser. It’s been a great experience for her to practice relaxing in various classrooms, learning that she has to perform the same behaviors (sit, down, stay) in slightly different environments.

In puppy class, she’s been learning the cues “fix” and “place.” “Fix” is used for the dog to untangle themselves from the leash. Since it’s not always possible for the dog’s partner to bend down and fix the leash themselves, the dog must learn to do it so they can walk and perform cues safely. On the cue “fix,” SSD Belle picks up her legs so the leash is in its normal position.

“Place” means SSD Belle sits between her puppy raiser’s legs. This cue also has a grounding effect. Her future partner may use it to help keep them in the present moment. “Place” brings the dog closer to be pet and provides closer contact with the dog. The beauty of this cue is that the general public just sees a person petting their dog rather than someone using a therapeutic tool.

Assistance dog training is not just about learning specific cues, though. SSD Belle is also practicing good manners at bathtime and is getting comfortable with other body-handling activities such as nail trimming. Susquehanna Service Dogs’ goal is to provide assistance dogs that are calm and easy to care for.

In addition to college classes, SSD Belle has gone to the grocery store and clothes shopping at the mall.

As she has matured, she has become increasingly affectionate, and she loves to cuddle and get belly rubs. One of her favorite things to do is look out the window and watch the birds flying around her raiser’s apartment.