Keeping 'Pup' With the SSD Dogs!

The dog days of summer may be well over, but we need to go through some of the dog days of fall & winter! SSD Belle and SSD Atlas have both been very busy these last few months, so it's time to fill you in on everything that's going on in their lives. That's right, it's a double pupdate!

SSD Belle

SSD Belle is being raised by a student puppy raiser within our Roar for More puppy raiser program at State College. She and her raiser recently returned to Penn State after Thanksgiving break, where they live in an off-campus apartment. SSD Belle began the beginning of her journey with her raiser in a dorm, and both living arrangements have given her valuable experience living in a setting where other people are coming and going.

At home, she’s continuing to practice staying off the furniture. All SSD dogs in training are required to stay off furniture until they’re matched with their partner. At that time, if their partner wishes their dog to join them on the bed or other furniture, the dog will be specifically trained to do it. SSD Belle is also learning to stay calm and relaxed around her raiser’s friends and roommates.

Belle accompanies her raiser to the grocery store every week, as well as the occasional college class. Much of her training takes place in highly populated areas, which can be challenging but also gives Bella a solid foundation for situations she could encounter as an assistance dog. Currently, she’s working on the cue “stay” in crowded areas and keeping her attention on her raiser.

SSD Atlas

SSD Atlas vacationed with his puppy raiser family in the mountains of North Carolina. He had the opportunity to explore the forest along with three pet labs. In addition to playing, he got to sniff in the woods and swim in the river – all while still demonstrating his self-control skills.

When taking “sniffing walks,” where the dog has the opportunity to sniff and explore, Susquehanna Service Dogs’ dogs in training need to remain on a nice loose leash and never pull. This kind of self-control is critical when they’re walking with their partner, even if their partner is giving them permission to sniff and explore. Pulling on the leash could potentially injure their partner, so the dog must always keep that loose leash.

This trip also helped him gain valuable traveling experience in the car, where he practiced curling up and relaxing for several hours at a time before getting a break to stretch and move. Then, of course, getting back in the car to repeat it all.