Flossie and the Dogs Pad

Trainee Canine Partner Flossie is enjoying the best accommodation as she gets ready for her advance training.

Flossie has now joined the pre-advanced training class that, as the name suggests, is preparing her for going into advanced training. All the dogs in this group can be called in at any time to replace a dog in advanced training that gets placed with a human partner.

In class the trainers are concentrating on familiarising Flossie with the rooms she will use whilst in advanced training. This includes the main arena at the National Training Centre, in West Sussex, and the Dogs Pad – Canine Partners’ very own five-star accommodation for dogs in training. With the Dogs Pad, the Charity has created accommodation that is more like a comfortable doggie room than traditional kennels. All the dogs sleep in the same room, with simple dividers set up to allow everyone to have their own space if they want it, although most dogs prefer to curl up in pairs. This is no Fort Knox – the dividers are low and allow for plenty of human contact.

Canine Partners is also reducing the verbal commands Flossie is given, encouraging her to look for hand signals and head cues in case she is placed with someone who has poor speech. She has already undergone her pre-advanced training health assessment, which looks at her joints, eyes and general fitness, along with having all her booster vaccinations.

Flossie has also taken part in several demos at nearby schools and the training centre, which are an important learning curve for the dogs as well as a useful means of spreading the word about the work of Canine Partners.

Flossie is likely to be in advanced training for between four and six months. Following a careful and rigorous assessment, the matching process between each applicant and their Canine Partner occurs – selecting the right dog for the right person, and vice versa. The final stage of training is an intensive two-week residential course attended by disabled partners who learn how to train, manage and care for their dogs – the beginning of many unique, fulfilling long-term partnerships!

It will have cost approximately £10,000 to train Flossie by the time she is ready to be re-homed with her human partner. For as little as £1 a week, you can Adopt a Puppy to help support Flossie and others in their ongoing training. Canine Partners is also keen to hear from applicants, volunteers and those wishing to become a Puppy Parent.

For further information, please visit www.caninepartners.co.uk or call 08456 580 480.