Daphne

Daphne's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi! I'm Daphne. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are "Gracie" who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and is now fostered by the Ingersoll family and "Trout" from Kerrybrook Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Rae.

Throughout Stage 1, I will learn the basics obedience, public behavior, and a lot of socialization. I understand that it takes a very special dog to complete the program as there is a high standard to become a Service Dog. I am aware that I may be one of the dogs whose purpose is outside of service work so I will be updating my profile on a monthly basis for all that would like to follow my journey through the program. 

June 2020 - 2 months old

    

This month I transitioned from my wonderful breeding foster home, to a temporary foster home, to my new puppy raiser! I have already experienced so much, and am looking forward to see what I can learn from Rae and her family. First, I'll learn my name and work on potty training.

July 2020 - 3 months old

I have been training at Retrieving Freedom to ensure I'm on the right track at the beginning of my service training. So far, they are impressed with the response I give when I hear a command! I listen right away, and hold my "sit" until my handler is ready to move on.

August 2020 - 4 months old

  

I've been spending time attending puppy training classes with Rae. I have some areas of focus to work on, but that's what these classes are for! We have gone camping and I attend work with Rae at the nursing home. I'm working on not jumping on residents, but rather sitting patiently while they greet me. 

September 2020 - 5 months old

   

I have been working with the trainer at Retrieving Freedom on a monthly basis. Although it's hard to tell, I'm already growing very tall and strong! I'm super playful and love to do hot laps around any room, but know when it's time to focus on task work. I switched fosters this month and have been adjusting to a new schedule with them. I love watching my foster sister play softball!

October 2020 - 6 months old

     

Andrea and I attended the monthly training session at the RFI facility. We are learning each other's routines, training in various environments, and learning new tasks together. This month I had a lot of "firsts" including my first 4-H dog project class, first pumpkin ranch and introduction to other types of animals (cows, chickens, goats, llamas), first costume softball game, and first lighted tour of a haunted house! It's normal to be nervous when being introduced to new environments, and I'm adapting well in these new situations.

November 2020 - 7 months old

         

I definitely have a new 'favorite person' in the house! Wherever she goes, I must go. We are best buddies. I still listen to whichever handler has my leash, but I'm most relaxed when this one is right by my side. My handlers say that my personality has changed a lot recently - I'd much rather hang out at home and be a 'pet' than put my vest on and go to work. After I get used to my vest being on and we head into public, I always perform and behave well. I spent Thanksgiving with another foster family while mine were on vacation. This family is also fostering RFI service dog in training Timber. We had a lot of fun playing together! I liked to snuggle with her, but she was curious as to why I was taking up a part of her foster's lap. I'm currently working on controlling my impulses and not jumping on people.

December 2020 - 8 months old

           

My fosters and I participated in a holiday parade. I'm the cutest reindeer you've ever seen! I was also able to experience Union Station and Crown Center. This was a great learning opportunity for me to train in public. I loved looking at all of the beautiful lights!

January 2021 - 9 months old

   

Happy New Year! For Christmas, my foster family got the best present ever - they were able to adopt their first foster dog, Paige. In the last month I have gained a lot of confidence and my recall has improved! My foster Andrea thinks a lot of my newfound confidence is from going into public places that allow dogs with Paige. I'm learning a lot from her already! Because I am not as scared, I hold my head up high and no longer tug on the leash to try to exit the building. I'm much better at waiting patiently for my meals and keeping calm at sporting events. I'm working on performing the command "left" with less coaxing.

February 2021 - 10 months old

 

I have been doing great at sitting calmly while strangers ask to pet me. I don't initiate attention, which is perfect behavior! I still pull a little bit when I have the slip leash on, so I'm working on that. My foster family and I went to a winery this month and I laid calmly and quietly under the table the whole time.

Stage 2 Introduction

Woohoo! I have officially been entered into the second of training, and I am so excited!  Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to see the RFI mission first hand, and can’t wait to dig deeper in the mission of changing lives through my training for veterans with disabilities and children with autism. During this Stage, I will also work closely with the RFI professional training staff to solidify my understanding of intermediate tasks and the foundation of future commands to help mitigate a disability. Follow me through this stage learning how I continue to make an impact! 

March 2021 - 11 months old

    

I love playing fetch so much that when I see Andrea working out on the floor, I take it as an opportunity to bring her my ball. Why else would she be on the floor? Of course it's to play with me! I had to say a difficult "see ya later" to Andrea and her family this month, as it's time I transition into the next phase of training. I can't thank them enough for all they've dedicated to me over the past several months! I will miss them greatly and hope to see them again. Now I'll be in formal training at the Retrieving Freedom facility, where I'll train with the professional staff.

April 2021 - 1 year old!

This month I celebrated my first birthday! Staff made me feel extra special on my day with a fun treat, extra play time, and of course, plenty of pets and snuggles.

May 2021 - 13 months old

I have been training diligently with the professional training staff at the Retrieving Freedom facility. 

June 2021 - 14 months old

I love play groups with other dogs and playing fetch with the kennel technicians! I am working on perfecting my obedience commands and transitioning into the kennel environment. I'm very motivated to work!