Service dogs need to be ready for anything. They might be guide dogs for a visually impaired owner who needs help getting around. They might be hearing dogs for a deaf or hard of hearing person. They might be in charge of helping someone with a disability navigate daily life with a serious medical condition. Regardless, these dogs are highly trained and need to be ready for action.
This adorable puppy didn’t make the cut, unfortunately. But he was so darn cute while he failed his way through the exam, we don’t even mind.
German Shepherd puppy Ryker had been going through training at Double H Canine Training Academy.
The academy, which is in Louisville, KY, didn’t expect him to have any problems completing the program. They thought Ryker would be ideal for a service dog. However, Ryker showed them that they were wrong.
It wasn’t that Ryker was bad at his job. The adorable puppy was just a little overenthusiastic.
At first, his trainers instructed him to fetch a plastic water bottle.
Ryker was only too happy to obey. But he crunched down on the bottle a bit too hard, puncturing it and spraying water everywhere.
There are a lot of expectations for service dogs. One is that they learn to wait patiently when their owner stops and then walk with them step-by-step when it’s time to go. The trainers at Double H decided to try another training exercise with Ryker. They brought one trainer into the middle of the room with a walker.
But Ryker got a little bit distracted, this time by the tennis balls at the bottom of the walker.
Tennis balls are commonly used to cushion the walker legs so they don’t bang or scrape the floor.
Ryker nipped and jumped at them, making the trainer burst out laughing.
It was the puppy’s continuous enthusiasm that showed that even if his heart was in the right place, he might need a little more training before he’s ready to offer his services to a person outside the training academy.
The trainers tried to have him open the refrigerator — a common daily task that service dogs fulfill for their owners. Ryker worked himself into knots leaping at and biting the fridge door. There was no doubt that the funny puppy gets an A for effort … just not for execution.
Finally, the trainers had him try to pull some of them in a wheelchair.
Once again, Ryker was thrilled at the chance to show off his skills but had too much energy to show them off effectively.
Training a service dog is a long, complicated process. After all, trainers know these dogs will be responsible for people who rely on them completely. Competent service dogs need to be able to do everything from open doors to guide their owners in public and even contact authorities in the event of an emergency.
The impact that service dogs can have on the lives of their owners is enormous.
“People tend to be much more accepting of my limitations since Grace entered the picture,” said Joel Hook of his service dog. “She commands a lot of attention when we are in public. My family is not treating me like an invalid as much now.”
Monica Johnson had to relearn how to navigate her life after suffering a spinal injury. She says that her service dog, Avalon, helped her learn how to adjust.
“Avalon’s changed my life in a month,” said Johnson. “I didn’t pick her. she picked me. My life changed with a companion that provides unwavering love, support, guidance, and help with tasks throughout the day. Disability brings about a beautiful transformation that I didn’t think was possible in myself. My journey has led me to a place now in which I can help others with Spinal Cord Injuries. It is a blessing to have the security that derives from knowing that Avalon can do tasks that make my life so challenging. She’s my best friend.”
Double H Canine Training Academy says it offers an individualistic approach to service dog training.
They focus on the personality of the animal and say that every dog is trainable. However, Ryker may have thrown them for a loop.
Whether or not he can make it as a service dog, there’s no doubt that he’s a happy, energetic pup with a lot to offer. Hopefully, he’ll be adopted by a family who can give him lots of play time and attention.
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