By Jennifer Reed

It’s time for an update on our favorite service-dog-in-training, Good Dog! Drake!

Drake’s trainer, Sam, reports that our girl is happy, healthy and doing well with her training in Oklahoma. She has been spending a great deal of time visiting children at a local library recently (which she loves!) as well as practicing advanced public access and companion service dog commands.

Public access commands include:

  • Load up: Get into the car

  • Better hurry: Go to the bathroom

  • Say hi: Go to a person (permission to greet a person)

  • Settle: Calm down

  • Go in: Go under and lay down

  • Let’s go: Casual walk (not strict heel)

Companion commands include:

  • Go to: Sit next to a person (to offer support or love)

  • Visit: Muzzle punch or nudge (helps to redirect)

  • Find: Hide and seek (used as motivation and social opportunity)

  • Shake: Offer up paw (used as motivation and social opportunity)

  • Fetch: Retrieve ball and return to thrower (used as motivation and social opportunity)

  • Cuddle or hug: Stay in position while child hugs or holds the dog (touch intervention for comfort or redirecting)

  • Head down: Lay head in lap (touch intervention for comfort or redirecting)

  • Lay on: Lay down on top of person (offers deep pressure for sensory regulation)

  • Kiss: Lick person (touch intervention for comfort or redirecting)

At home, Drake enjoys playtime with her buddy, Good Dog! Huckleberry and absolutely loves water, often sticking her face under the bathtub spout and splashing in even the tiniest puddles.

According to Good Dog!, Drake’s personality has been labeled “analytical” and “expressive.” These terms are based on the four main canine personality types outlined by Bonnie Bergin, founder of the Bergin University of Canine Studies and Canine Companions for Independence.

Of the personality types Bergin identified—analytical, amiable, driver and expressive—Drake’s analytical and expressive traits suggest she is outgoing and socially active as well as serious, contemplative and controlled.

These traits not only make Drake an ideal candidate for her role as a facility dog, but will also aid Good Dog! in matching her with the right handler.

For more about Drake and her trainer and the wonderful work they’ve been doing at Good Dog! Autism Companions, click here.