Yeager continues to impress me. His transition from a working dog with the fine folks at Green Collar K9 to a house-bound family dog was a little rough. I’ve learned so much about this process and what’s needed to make this project successful. Its not all about sniffing gluten, that’s for certain.

I’m so bonded with my friend at this juncture its amazing. He’s always at my hip, an ever present calming force in my life. He was a little overwhelmed by the kids at first, but after some time he’s adopted them, as I have adopted him. He’s quick to their side if one cries, and calm when they dress him up.

To take a dog from doing a drill — sniffing gluten, and then move him to the table of a fine restaurant is a much broader leap than I had anticipated. He still drills perfectly, but I’ve only now understood how to get him to do the drill at the table. I had to teach him how to stand after a sit to recognize his indication. I also started to do his drills from a seated position while showing him small cans filled with various food items. He’s about 95% accurate I would estimate. He NEVER misses the gluten, only sometimes over indicates for a treat… which I can tell right away.

We read eachother easily at this point, and move around like we learned to walk at the same time.

I’m going to introduce him to all restaurants I attend as of this weekend.

So, stay tuned…

Much Love,
Sarah

We’re drilling twice a day to keep him sharp, and also working on the basics like a long staying down position. So far, he doesn’t think that’s the most fun he could be having. I remind myself often that he’s an 18 month old labrador.

Gluten Dog, Levi, Performing Gluten Tricks

This great dog (and his astonishing handlers) is performing his gluten trick, showing just how capable the celiac sniffers really are.

I’m hoping to be able to integrate him socially and continue refining his training in the real-world environment. The experts at Green Collar K9, primarily Rick Ball, taught me so much this weekend. I was unbelievably fortunate to get this massive download of information form a man with 35 years of dog expertise. I have my work cut out for me in terms of continuing the amazing work they already did with Yeager.

I need to learn how to be the best handler I can be, and that’s something anyone who adopts a dog will also need to learn. Its a new language, but I am beyond willing to take on the next step.

My excitement is palpable. My children are ecstatic, particularly Bear. He just told his entire preschool, with a massive grin, that ‘his mom has Celiac and so does he but now we have a dog who sniffs gluten’.

Check them out : https://myceliacid.com/default.aspx

I’m five days away from picking up our service dog — for my son, and my family. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. There are three candidates to choose from, one of which Bear and I have already met (and adored). His name is Xan. He had a great interest in Bear when we were there. It was an example of that intangible bond between the dog and the possible handler.

For some inexplicable reason, I can’t shake the feeling that, Yeager, a black lab is going to be the winner. I’ll have to see who steals my heart when I get there, and who is performing the best. However, I’ve been told they are all exceptional.

I’ll be working hard to learn what I can from the trainers at Green Collar K9. I’m going to need to stay close to them to absorb what I can about the training process and ways to keep our new dog sharp. I really want to figure out how many dogs they could train per month for others. I’m already getting inquiries from people in need, and the waiting list has begun.

Our three possible candidates are:

Red Labrador, Nevada

Red Labrador, Xan

Black Labrador, Yeager