🐾 What is Desensitization? It’s all about helping your service dog get used to handling, touch, and surprises so they can stay calm, confident, and focused — no matter what’s going on. 💪🐶 In this video, I’m marking ✅ and rewarding 🦴 when Griz is calm and confident. Practicing this helps prepare your service dog for: - ✂️ Nail trimming - 🪥 Teeth brushing - 👂 Ear cleaning or ear infection care - 🩺 Vet care - 🤝 Random touches from people in public 💡 Why it Matters: - Prepares them for public access outings 🏙️ - Keeps them chill in new situations 🐕‍🦺 - Builds trust between you and your dog ❤️ - Creates a confident, reliable working partner A dog who’s comfortable with being handled is a dog who’s ready for anything — and that makes life easier (and way more fun) for both of you. 🎉

🐕 Service Dog Booties: More Than Just a Cute Accessory Booties aren’t just for looks — they’re essential gear for keeping your service dog’s paws safe on the job. When to Use Booties: - Hot pavement ☀️ – Pavement can reach 140°F+ in summer, burning paw pads in seconds. - Cold & icy weather ❄️ – Salt, ice melt, and frostbite are real hazards. - Rough terrain 🪨 – Hiking trails, gravel, or construction debris can damage pads. - Slippery indoor floors 🏢 – Booties can give extra grip in public access spaces. Benefits: - Protects paw pads from burns, cuts, and frostbite. - Keeps paws clean for public access work. - Helps maintain traction in busy environments. Pro Tip for Service Dogs: - Limit wear to about 1 hour at a time — booties can limit circulation and cause paws to fall asleep. Give your dog breaks to stretch and wiggle those toes. - Measure paws before buying to ensure a secure, comfortable fit. - Practice wearing them indoors in short sessions before long public outings. Happy paws mean a service dog who can keep working comfortably — no matter where the day takes you. 🐾❤️ Post a video of your dog rocking their booties 👇

One of our wonderful handlers over in Cool Dog School recently had a rough experience out in public. Her dog, Harley, was calm and working beautifully when another service dog in training almost attacked her. The young woman handling that service dog in training was grilling her beforehand — questioning whether Harley was a “fake” service dog. In reality, it was her own dog that caused the issue. Sadly, this is not uncommon. Some handlers come in with a chip on their shoulder, ready to argue before knowing the facts. But these moments are important teaching opportunities for us as a community. 💡 What To Do If This Happens To You - Stay calm. Once you get heated, it’s no longer about education — it’s ego vs. ego, and nobody wins. - Grab your phone or ask a friend/family member to record. If you can safely record, do it. Video protects you and your dog, and often makes people check themselves quickly. - Focus on your dog. Their safety and calmness always come first. Don’t let poor handling from others pull you off track. - Educate, don’t argue. If you choose to engage, a calm explanation will always go further than snapping back. 🛡️ Protecting Your Dog in the Moment - Use your body as a barrier. Step between your dog and the oncoming dog if possible. - Find a physical shield. Position yourself behind a bench, car, wall, or shopping cart to block access. - Exit quickly. If things escalate, calmly and confidently move your dog out of the area. - Carry deterrents if needed. Some handlers bring an umbrella, or just a loud “NO” to interrupt an oncoming dog — use what you feel safe and comfortable with. 🌟 Our Community Standard In ASA Service Dogs, this is a judgment-free zone. We don’t waste energy tearing others down. Instead, we focus on: - Building the best relationship possible with our own dogs. - Supporting one another with encouragement, not criticism. - Creating a safer, more informed community where both dogs and humans can grow.

Took the opportunity to do some impulse control + distraction training while playing outside this morning!