"Mom...Raja's bothering me!" Raja Moves In!

"Mom, Raja boddering me!" Zaki exclaims from his room! I love it! Raja has moved in full time this month, and although earlier than I was originally thinking (or wanting) it has truly been such a wonderful thing! Raja is 9 months now and in full blown adolescence. For those of you who are 'dog people' you know that this time is characterized by the dog pushing the limit and boundaries - seeing how far they can go, and acting like they have about 5 brain cells in their head, with everything being negotiable. :) Even though Raja is a VERY intellegent service dog, he is no different - he still has to travel the stages of development like all dogs do.

Zaki sitting on Linda's lap with Raja and big brother Zarek

Raja is all Zaki all the time! On alert!Raja was very concerned when his boy went under the water, and about licked him dry when he came up!

Heather and Raja passing Intermediate class

I would have to say the most exciting thing that has happened this month for our family and reinstituted normalcy to some extent is Zaki sleeping in his own room with Raja. He has been in our bed or his brother's his whole life. We made a chart for Zaki who got to go to Walmart with Raja to buy goodies for a week in his own bed!

This was also our first trip to Walmart with Raja and he did awesome!

Zaki picked out a cowboy hat, guns, and ball and chews for Raja

The boys bedding down for the night.

Other exciting developments!

Zaki gets very bad leg pain at night frequently (med related). Raja gets a very yummy treat for going "night night" with Zaki. I had gotten Zaki in his bed and given Raja his treat. Those of you who know Raja know how he is about his food:) I left to go get the "rub" and a heating blanket. Zaki was crying and rubbing his legs. When I came back in Raja had not eaten his treat, and was curled around his boy's legs. Not until Zaki calmed down and was almost asleep did Raja eat his treat and go to sleep.

He has alerted to Zaki running away 3 times!

He was super concerned and on alert when Zaki went under in the tub water. Zaki was playing, but Raja didn't know that.

Zaki has been sleeping in his own room since Raja has come to live with us.

Zaki also spent about 30 minutes on the computer at the library - which he would normally spend less than 5 minutes on. Raja curled under the table, and Zaki rubs his feet on him.

Raja Saves The Day!

You may not see what is so special about this shot unless you have attended church services with us and Zaki! Zaki is "on the go" to put it nicely and "the energizer bunny on speed" to put it bluntly. He runs, has a very difficult time sitting, tries to escape, makes loud noises and out- bursts, and is overall quite disrupting. I love my small congregation of faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, they have been very patient with us, and understand the way Zaki is.
Well this Sunday in particular, I brought Raja. I was expecting to have to call the hubby to pick up one or both of the little ones. I was not sure that Raja would make it the three hours, and was certain that Zaki wouldn't. Imagine my delight when these two settled in quite nicely!

Raja woke from his sleep to go "round up" Zaki when he tried to take off toward the door!!

Zaki was a hit with his friend Raja. All of the kids at Sunday school enjoyed the super service dog in training too!

Raja and Zaki driving! We are working on Raja during dusk and night to help a fear issue he has been having.

They are both so very talented!

The other very promising event that happened at church was while I was not paying attention (I was putting Zarek's tie on in the corridor) I had one foot on Raja's leash. I felt a tug and Raja let out one bark. My initial thought, was "Lovely! This again?!" He has been going through a fear stage and the barking has been something that the trainer has been working feverishly with, as that would obviously pose a public access issue! I turn my head to see Zaki making a mad dash out the door. Something I would have missed completely! GOOD BOY RAJA - Click, TREAT!!

Raja And Zaki Are Doing Awesome Together!

Zaki and Raja hanging out in the bed

Raja enjoyed a cranio-sacral therapy session with Zaki last week. Zaki loves his sessions, and Raja did too; He snuggled right up in the bed with the boy!

" You mean we have to get back to work? Really? Cause I was thinking a 'greenie' and some more sleep would be nice! "

Raja has two cute freckles on his tongue, you can see the one in the front on this picture

Raja and the family dog Mater are getting along great too!

They love to play. We have to put Mater up so Raja will focus on Zaki, which he gladly does.

We have been working on the "go to" game with all the family members. We tell raja "go to" Daddy, and Daddy has a click and treat waiting for Raja. Then Daddy will say "go to" Zaki. And Zaki has a click and treat waiting for him. He finds this great fun, and will be great to go retrieve help when needed. Raja also accompanied Zaki to hippotherapy last week.

Not Doggy "stuff" But Totally Cool Nontheless!!

Zaki at the Special Rodeo!

The special rodeo kicks off the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. This is the 13th year that kids and adults with developmental disabilities have participated!!

Zarek at the fountain at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame!!

Zaki won the flag competition. He won a belt buckle, a rope, and a new cowboy hat! The picture in his hand is an autograph of the 'purty' ladies on his side!

Charles Sampson the World Champion Bull Rider took a liking to Zaki, and spent quite a bit of time with him! Thanks Charles!!

Zaki found some shade!

aaaaaahhhhhhh....

Charles showing Zaki how to rope...

Tearful Good Byes

Linda Brennen on Left With Dagmar on Right

Well... we are on to phase II of Raja's training... It was a sad time for Dagmar, Raja's Phase I Puppy Raising home. She got him at 9 weeks, and although I am sure she will be happy to not have to get up to let the little bugger out for potty in the wee hours of the morning. It is hard and rewarding work to train a dog for service. Linda Brennen will be Raja's Phase II home and also his Phase II dog trainer.

Raja Saying bye bye to his foster Momma

We will be making sure that Dagmar, Doug, Hannah, and Meagan get updates frequently, and will of course have "visitations" whenever they are getting the itch! I so appreciate all the effort that they have made to give Raja the great start that he needed...

Raja and Dagmar saying Good Bye

Zaki's First Ever Sleep-Over

Raja-Roo at 21 weeks!

Zaki and Raja in Zaki's bed

Zaki had his first friend stay the night! His new best friend Raja! They had an absolutely wonderful time. Zaki was so proud to have Raja here. We went to the library for some public access work, and Raja did great, and Zaki was surprisingly calm and quiet. Hope that continues! If Raja helps Zaki that much, he will have been worth every penny plus some!

Zaki couldn't leave him alone even in the kennel :)

Seriously, we did give Raja lots of down time, I just couldn't resist taking this one! Raja also got along great with his World Wrestling Federation Champion Tag Team Member Mater! Mater is our family dog, and it was hilarious to see these two play play play. We had introduced them the week prior at a "neutral" location and they did well together.

Mater waiting for the laptop to load - so studious

While Raja was here getting used to the house, he spent some time in Zaki's room, in the bathroom with us during baths and showers, and he even had time to dig out my garden box! What a super service dog! LOL

Mater, just chillaxin' of which he did none while Raja was here

This was also Frank's (my husbands) first introduction to Raja, and they got along like champs. If only Frank liked the "kisses" like Zaki does:)!

Raja and Zaki in the front yard after church

It has been a while since I have updated Raja has started his public access work with his host family, and with Linda who will be his phase II home. He has been to many different places like Costco, Barnes and Noble, business networking meetings with lots of people and scents, restaurants etc. He is a very confident dog in full blown adolescence. So he is a four footed teenager at the moment pushing the boundaries where he can. This is also a critical time in his development, and how his adolescent time is handled (positively or negatively) will affect his future greatly. This is why only positive training methods are used. Clicker training is the method of choice for the trainers handling Raja. We have used this method with our family dog Mater, and not only is it fun, the dog gets immediate and exact positive feedback http://www.clickertraining.com/ is a great resource if you would like to learn more. And if you are in our area, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Laurie Yakish or Linda Brennen to help with your family dog.
I was thrilled that Raja was always interested in what Zaki was doing!

Service Dogs just want to have FUN!

"Toilet Paper, What Toilet Paper?"

Raja is continuing with his foster family, and appears to be getting into trouble as much as he can :) I love it! Zaki and Raja will be quite the pair I'm afraid! And I love that you can see Shadow's paws towards the back of the photo like, "It's completely out of my paws guys, really! I can't stop him" and after the chaos it is time for some rest.

"Napping" Having fun is hard work!

Raja is now 16 weeks and has started having outings with her foster home to Walmart and the Book Mobile with Dagmar. Raja continues to learn all of the basic obedience and impeccable manners (when not eating the toilet paper wink, wink) Zaki is also getting frequent visits with Raja which is awesome, and one of things I really like about North Star's model. So what does having all of this "fun" have to do with becoming a service dog? This does not seem hard to you? It is critical for Raja to have as many positive experiences as many places as possible, not only to ensure that Raja will be confident to make choices when he gets to be with Zaki full time, but this is all shaping his temperment, which behavioralists believe happens mostly up to the 16th week. Raja has also started with my friend and trainer Linda Brennen for part of the foster time.