Rocko - Good Will Ambassador for the Dog Species

Today, I was walking a client's dog, Rocko, a Bernese Mountain Dog in Ann Arbor and Canton, Michigan.  We were doing our thing; first an off leash nature walk through the woods and then a trip to a fountain square at the corner of Independence and Cherry Hill Roads.  Our purpose for going there was so Rocko could practice his sit and down stays despite distractions of cars, people and other dogs.  To proof Rocko further, I wanted to see if he could maintain a stay while I introduced a new distraction; me eating delicious ice cream from the Cold Stone Creamery.   Honest, me having ice cream on a hot day was solely for the benefit of proofing Rocko's training.  : )

It's amazing though how sometimes we can be into our own worlds, and who wouldn't be while walking a dog and eating ice cream.  Little did I know, there was a husband and wife with their five year old child watching us.  Prior to us leaving, they approached and asked if they could pet Rocko and get a picture with him.  At first, I assumed it was their child they wanted to get a picture with Rocko.  But no, it was the wife who confessed she was afraid of dogs.  She further commented, it was one of her life time dreams, to be able to pet a dog.

She took her time getting closer and closer to Rocko.  She started off by standing behind Rocko who was sitting on a park bench.  She then gathered up her courage and asked to sit next to him.  It was a wonderful sight to see someone face their fear and overcome it.  And, it was equally impressive that Rocko was so calm and still, allowing her to approach and pet him.

Prior to the board and train dog training program, Rocko would've jumped happily in her lap and kissed her face which would have reinforced her fear of dogs.  Instead, he now could simply lay still and remain calm.   The wife wanted to face her fear not only for herself but also because they are interested in adopting a dog for their child in the coming years.

It's amazing the positive impact we can have on other people's lives with little or no effort.  Not only was this good training for Rocko, but in a chance meeting, the wife accomplished one of her life time goals of petting a dog.  This will not only be helpful to her but will also allow her son to grow up liking dogs and to one day having a family dog companion.  And, I think about the impact  Rocko's owner, Lisa, had on this unknown family.  Because of Lisa (having Rocko trained via Michael Burkey's Board and Train dog training program), Rocko was able to be a Good Will Ambassador for the dog species.

Contact Michael Burkey, a professional Michigan Dog Trainer, so your dog too can become a Good Will Ambassador!