Update on "Dog Lessons"

murraysmom · 02-05-2008, 03:57 PM

A few months ago I posted on a project Murray and I were taking on for our pet therapy organization. A mother of three Autistic brothers, ages 6, 8, and 12 had requested home visits so that her boys could learn about dogs and how to interact with them appropriately. We have been making visits since November.

The three boys, who previously tended to scream and run around when they were near any dog, have really made some progress:

They've learned how to greet a dog calmly instead of running up to him yelling in excitement. They've learned to ask permission of the owner of a dog being walked on a leash before petting. They've learned where on a dogs' body to pet. They've learned to be gentle and considerate of Murray- one of them always brings him a bowl of water sometime during the visit.

And Sunday was a huge step forward for the youngest. He's afraid of dogs in general, and even though he's started sitting next to Murray at times, he definitely has a long way to go. Sunday was a beautiful sunny day so we took Murray for a walk- none of them had ever walked a dog before- and they had a blast! The youngest was afraid at first, and was reluctant to take the leash when it was his turn- but after a little coaxing, he started smiling and laughing- he did a great job!

They asked questions the whole time- why does he sniff along the sidewalk? Why does he keep peeing? They were fascinated when I explained about marking: that instead of e-mail like humans have, dogs use 'p-mail' to leave messages for each other! They thought this was hilarious- Murray never had a more intrigued audience to his urination!

So anyway, that's how it's going-we're making progress, and I don't know who enjoys our visits more- me, Murray, or the boys!

BubbaLeroy · 02-05-2008, 05:06 PM

What a great thing you are doing for those little guys!!

I had to laugh about "P-Mail"

What a great way to explain marking to them. Way to go Murray! What a great Basset Ambassador you are!!

Yogi's Mom · 02-05-2008, 05:30 PM

That is a wonderful thing you are doing with those boys! I am glad it is working out and that everyone is having a good time. Did they like all the basset cards?

Maggie's Mommy · 02-05-2008, 05:34 PM

Murray is an amazing hound!!!!!!!! How wonderful what you two do for those guys. Someday, I'd love to meet Murray and give him a smooch

murraysmom · 02-05-2008, 06:09 PM

Yogi's Mom: I'm saving the holiday cards for the next rainy day visit- I know they'll be a hit- maybe we can make a basset mobile or at least a collage for their playroom-I'll report on how that goes!

Maggie's Mommy: Let me know the next time you're in Philly- there's a dog trail near Chestnut Hill College where we could meet- it's only an hour and 1/2 from us and we go there alot- it runs along the Wissahickon River and there's a nice covered bridge at one end-

Rubydoo · 02-07-2008, 08:24 AM

Congrats on Murray for taking care of those kids!

BTW, Ruby does p-mail daily......

Janice and little Ruby

LouieDog · 02-10-2008, 09:33 PM

what a fantastic thing you are doing. Maybe one day Louie will be abe to do the same thing. I am a nurse and I work with babies and I would love to do something like this..
i too, loved the P-mail thing...very creative and cute!!

Lukes · 02-10-2008, 10:37 PM

As I stated in our introduction we originally got Luke to start on therapy for my autistic son Trent. Trent could not even be on a same street as a dog, if one was walking on the sidewalk across the street he would try to hide behind me. If one got within 20 feet of him he would try to climb on top of my head. I figured we could work with him and over the next couple of years he would be de-sensitized to them.

It has worked faster and far better than we had any hope of. By the end of the summer I was out back grilling when I noticed Trent was throwing a ball for Luke to fetch. He would run away when Luke brought it back to him, but Luke soon learned if he dropped it about 5 feet away from him that Trent would toss the ball again.

Just last week I actually saw him petting Dixie, and the picture below says more than I could to describe the difference in him.

So I can not say enough, and thank you enough for your efforts. Even with all the publicity Autism gets it is still far from being understood or tolerated by the masses. All they need is a little time and patience from people willing to reach out to them instead of snickering at them. I am sure that a family that has 3 autistic children does not have the resources to deal with any dogs so I am she feels very blessed by your work with her sons.

Thank you.

murraysmom · 02-11-2008, 10:08 AM

Lukes- that picture says it all.I'm smiling as I look at it. Thank you for posting.

shakerag · 02-11-2008, 11:59 AM

That is wonderful-------God uses all his children in ways to help us, even his Basset ones.
don

02-05-2008, 05:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
BubbaLeroy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,288	What a great thing you are doing for those little guys!! I had to laugh about "P-Mail" What a great way to explain marking to them. Way to go Murray! What a great Basset Ambassador you are!! __________________ You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!! Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005 ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005

02-07-2008, 08:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rubydoo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,681	Congrats on Murray for taking care of those kids! BTW, Ruby does p-mail daily...... Janice and little Ruby __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...w/IMG_1340.jpg Take a basset hound to lunch today! --Bassets rule....and drool!

02-11-2008, 11:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
shakerag Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ozark Mountains, Ar Posts: 245	That is wonderful-------God uses all his children in ways to help us, even his Basset ones. don __________________ If it's not a Basset, it's just a dog

02-05-2008, 03:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
murraysmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southcentral Pa. Posts: 2,235	A few months ago I posted on a project Murray and I were taking on for our pet therapy organization. A mother of three Autistic brothers, ages 6, 8, and 12 had requested home visits so that her boys could learn about dogs and how to interact with them appropriately. We have been making visits since November. The three boys, who previously tended to scream and run around when they were near any dog, have really made some progress: They've learned how to greet a dog calmly instead of running up to him yelling in excitement. They've learned to ask permission of the owner of a dog being walked on a leash before petting. They've learned where on a dogs' body to pet. They've learned to be gentle and considerate of Murray- one of them always brings him a bowl of water sometime during the visit. And Sunday was a huge step forward for the youngest. He's afraid of dogs in general, and even though he's started sitting next to Murray at times, he definitely has a long way to go. Sunday was a beautiful sunny day so we took Murray for a walk- none of them had ever walked a dog before- and they had a blast! The youngest was afraid at first, and was reluctant to take the leash when it was his turn- but after a little coaxing, he started smiling and laughing- he did a great job! They asked questions the whole time- why does he sniff along the sidewalk? Why does he keep peeing? They were fascinated when I explained about marking: that instead of e-mail like humans have, dogs use 'p-mail' to leave messages for each other! They thought this was hilarious- Murray never had a more intrigued audience to his urination! So anyway, that's how it's going-we're making progress, and I don't know who enjoys our visits more- me, Murray, or the boys!

02-05-2008, 05:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Yogi's Mom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,109	That is a wonderful thing you are doing with those boys! I am glad it is working out and that everyone is having a good time. Did they like all the basset cards?

02-05-2008, 05:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Maggie's Mommy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 775	Murray is an amazing hound!!!!!!!! How wonderful what you two do for those guys. Someday, I'd love to meet Murray and give him a smooch

02-05-2008, 06:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
murraysmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southcentral Pa. Posts: 2,235	Yogi's Mom: I'm saving the holiday cards for the next rainy day visit- I know they'll be a hit- maybe we can make a basset mobile or at least a collage for their playroom-I'll report on how that goes! Maggie's Mommy: Let me know the next time you're in Philly- there's a dog trail near Chestnut Hill College where we could meet- it's only an hour and 1/2 from us and we go there alot- it runs along the Wissahickon River and there's a nice covered bridge at one end-

02-10-2008, 09:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
LouieDog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Posts: 272	what a fantastic thing you are doing. Maybe one day Louie will be abe to do the same thing. I am a nurse and I work with babies and I would love to do something like this.. i too, loved the P-mail thing...very creative and cute!!

02-10-2008, 10:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lukes Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 30	As I stated in our introduction we originally got Luke to start on therapy for my autistic son Trent. Trent could not even be on a same street as a dog, if one was walking on the sidewalk across the street he would try to hide behind me. If one got within 20 feet of him he would try to climb on top of my head. I figured we could work with him and over the next couple of years he would be de-sensitized to them. It has worked faster and far better than we had any hope of. By the end of the summer I was out back grilling when I noticed Trent was throwing a ball for Luke to fetch. He would run away when Luke brought it back to him, but Luke soon learned if he dropped it about 5 feet away from him that Trent would toss the ball again. Just last week I actually saw him petting Dixie, and the picture below says more than I could to describe the difference in him. So I can not say enough, and thank you enough for your efforts. Even with all the publicity Autism gets it is still far from being understood or tolerated by the masses. All they need is a little time and patience from people willing to reach out to them instead of snickering at them. I am sure that a family that has 3 autistic children does not have the resources to deal with any dogs so I am she feels very blessed by your work with her sons. Thank you.

02-11-2008, 10:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
murraysmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southcentral Pa. Posts: 2,235	Lukes- that picture says it all.I'm smiling as I look at it. Thank you for posting.

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