08/13/2026
I am grateful for our year old Malinois rescue puppy, Bonnie. As Gabe will turn 10 years old in 2 weeks, I am thinking more and more about Bonnie following in his footsteps (pawsteps) as my therapy dog. She was the "spiciest" of the litter of 6, and was the last one to be adopted for that reason. It has been challenging.
Her training was interrupted by a persistent Giardia infection that took 3 treatments and caused a gut biome issue resulting in prescription food for months. Meanwhile, she was becoming an adolescent girl with a lack of exposure to mant social situations that are necessary for a therapy dog's ability to handle a variety of environments. She has been the most challenging puppy to raise, due to her confidence and feisty sense of humor.
I think other owners might have resorted to forceful, physical methods to train her; I was disouraged on many days, wondering if she was not in the right home. Every neighboorhood walk is a practice session in loose leash walking, passing other dogs without barking (she was very vocal from day one), and passing bunnies without chasing them. We have gone through a lot of treats! I used my resources, as well as prayers. Here are a few of the most helpful sources of fun and learning: Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed Pattern Games, Denise Fenzi's book on Engagement, scent work games (and advice from RuthAnn Stricker, my instructor), and K9 Trailing with te Bloodhound-Mantracker's Sleuth Dogs. I am so grateful to all of you!
Bonnie wears her therapy dog in training vest (in the photo) when we go to store and public places to greet and experience new sights, sounds and smells. The photo of Gabe is from our latest CATS visit to Denver Airport.
