As Harmony has matured, it has become apparent that she has too much drive for a Service Dog. She is great in essentially every situation, but needs time each day to just ‘go crazy’ with a high energy game or training session. Our intention from the start was to keep her for the breeding program, rather than place her as a Service Dog. This is still our plan, now knowing that only the calmer pups will likely be suitable for Service work.
Due to her love for people, activity, and using her nose, Harmony has entered into the world of Search and Rescue. She has been doing quite well, and will hopefully one day be certified in wilderness search for lost people, handled by our Program Director, Jillian Gartner.
Harmony is almost fully-trained in Service work and is currently APAW’s back-up demo dog for giving presentations (Charlie is our main demo dog).
In addition, now that Harmony is 18 months old and can safely jump, she has started learning to play Frisbee. She is just starting to learn how to vault (push off of handler to jump higher for disc), and may eventually enter in local competitions… not many Poodles in this sport.
You may have seen them on Animal Planet’sDogs 101, in the newspaper, or anywhere around town – now is your chance to meet them in person… Jillian Gartner, and her amazing Poodle Charlie. Not only will you get to ask Jillian anything you’ve wondered about, but you can watch Charlie perform his tasks right in front of you. The Dynamic Duo will even accommodate your requests!
Proceeds benefit American Poodles At Work, a local small program that trains and places Poodles with people who have disabilities. This is the organization mentioned on TV that Jillian founded, and that Charlie provides demonstrations for. These special dogs pick-up dropped items, open doors, turn on lights (and so much more!) for people who have mobility impairment. Each dog learns over 90 commands before they are matched with a partner.
Your friendly dogs are welcome, so bring a short leash (no retractables/Flexis please).
Event hosted by Wow Take A Bow Boarding & Grooming on Bemis Road in Warren, MA (near the Scottish Meadow golf course).
Schedule
Event is from 10am – 4pm.
All-day activities include:
Meet ‘n Greet future Assistance Dogs
Live Music
Bake Sale (goodies for dogs and their people!)
Amazing Designer Collars and Leashes (at great prices!)
Raffle Items to Check-out
Activities to Watch:
11 am ~~ Demo: Reading (written cues!)
1 pm ~~ Demo: Service Dog
2 pm ~~ Demo: Search Dog
3 pm ~~ Demo: Tricks
3:30 pm ~~ Raffle will be Drawn
With your Dog:
10 am – 12 noon ~~ Fun Games (like Musical Mats, and Poodle Says)
12 noon ~~ Class: Trick Training! (w/Jillian and Charlie!)
2 pm – 3pm ~~ Contests! (Best Trick, Best Wag, Hot Dog Retrieve…)
1 pm – 4 pm ~~ Doggy Wash (a nice bath to cool-down and freshen-up)
Nail Clipping Available
Pricing
As stated, this is a fund-raising event to benefit American Poodles At Work, a small local program that relies on the support of the community to help individuals in need receive an amazing dog.
Suggested Donation of $5/adult and $3/child, or $15/family
Proceeds benefit American Poodles At Work, a local small program that trains and places Poodles with people who have disabilities. Our dogs pick-up dropped items, open doors, and even turn on lights for people who have mobility impairment.
Your friendly dogs are welcome, so bring a short leash (no retractables please). Event hosted by Wow Take A Bow Boarding & Grooming on Bemis Road in Warren, MA. Activities are scheduled through-out the day from 10-4 – schedule coming soon!
A sampling of the day’s activities:
Meet and play with some of our puppies that are learning to be assistance dogs.
Demonstrations with Q & A opportunities: Service Dogs, Search and Rescue, Reading dogs, agility and rally.
Watch dogs learn new tricks – and participate with your own obedience trained dog! Learn the benefits and basics of ‘clicker training’.
Grooming: Watch in awe as a fluffy dog is clipped and scissored into an elegant Poodle – learn simple tips and tricks for keeping your dog (any breed!) looking their best between professional grooms.
Quick baths for your own dog – everyone feels better when they are clean!
Fun contests!! What is your dog really good at? Tricks! Tail Wags! ‘Talking’! Owner Look-Alike! Retrieving a Hot Dog?!
Raffle – many neat doggy items to choose from – beds, toys, gift certificates, packages…
Bake Sale – delicious items for dogs AND owners!
Live Music from local musicians – various styles: folk, classical, jazz and more!
We look forward to meeting you on Memorial Day 2009!
Charlie is a Service ‘Demo’ Dog here at American Poodles At Work, our program that focuses on training Poodles for people with disabilities.
Charlie was also featured in episode 1 of Animal Planet’s Dogs 101 series which aired Fall ’08. You can learn more about the APAW program at our main site: http://www.AmericanPoodlesAtWork.org
Charlie is entered as a contestant in the Bissell pet photo contest – winners will have a photo shoot and appear on a future Bissell product package. In addition, Bissell will be donating $1,000-$10,000 to the non-profit animal cause of the winner’s choice.
If Charlie were to win, we would choose the Assistance Dog United Campaign as the recipient. ADUC writes grants for small/young assistance dog programs, and provides vouchers to individuals looking for financial aid to cover the cost of receiving a highly trained assistance dog. http://www.AssistanceDogUnitedCampaign.org
Can you vote for Charlie the ‘Shoveling Poodle’ this session?
We are excited to announce that the next video in our ‘How to Teach…’ series has been released!
In this episode you will learn how to teach your dog the ‘Back’ command, instructing them to take a few steps backwards. ‘Back’ is another useful and usually simple command to teach. It can be used in many situations, for example moving away from an open door, or an object such as dropped food, broken glass, or yourself. It can be used in conjunction with the ‘Here’ command to get your dog into a precise position. Like most of APAW’s videos, the focus of our training is directed towards future assistance dogs.
We encourage you to film your own dog performing this (or any) command and submit a video response on YouTube.com – not only would we love to see your dog having fun with new commands, but your video will show other viewers more forms this command can take.
If you need training advice specific to your situation email us at training@AmericanPoodlesAtWork.org
As part of an outreach program sponsored by the Holden Huggable Hounds 4H club, Jillian Gartner brought Charlie (her demo dog) and Pixie (an APAW therapy dog trainee) to the Red Cross in Worcester, MA yesterday to increase community awareness. The dogs were a big hit — Charlie demonstrated his ability to read commands from cue cards, even while many a giggling gal held them. A service dog has to deal with routine distractions and Charlie showed everyone how it is done!
