One of the best parts about receiving Maeve from a local organization is how easy it is to get follow-up assistance when I need it. Her trainer has been wonderful and always encourages me to reach out with any questions or concerns. Maeve is still just a puppy at only eight months old, and while she absolutely loves her job and helping me take care of Kay, she still has her moments. Like any young dog, she sometimes tries to push boundaries to see what she can get away with. I want to make sure I am doing everything I can for Maeve and for myself so that she continues building good habits and stays on the right track after all the training she has received. I have often heard that training is never really finished, and that you and your dog are always learning and growing together as a team. I have already found that to be very true.
Thankfully, Maeve’s trainer was more than happy to help. She observed Maeve and me both at home and in a public setting, and she offered helpful tips to keep us moving in the right direction. Since Maeve and I are still very new as a team and in the middle of our adjustment period, her trainer explained that it is perfectly fine to offer more treats for commands or tasks I ask Maeve to do, not just when she alerts. Maeve is very reward-driven, so this approach has already made a big difference. Once she understands what is expected of her, I will be able to slowly taper off treats for the extra commands and continue giving them mainly for blood sugar alerts and occasional rewards. For now, I am happy to give plenty of treats to this hardworking girl to let her know she is doing a great job.
There is a saying in the dog world that it can take three days for a new dog to begin decompressing, three weeks for them to start learning your routines, and about three months before they truly feel at home. I love that reminder because it shows that perfection is not expected right away. Instead, it is about giving them grace and time to adjust. Maeve and I are still in that process, and knowing that what we are experiencing is normal is incredibly reassuring. I look forward to watching both of us grow together as a service dog team.