Community Service

2nd - 6th, Feb, '15

This week I have been doing my community service with Muckyhounds, which is a dog training centre is the buisness park in Gorey. I had originally signed up to do dog walking for the S.P.C.A, but because so many t.y students had signed up to go there, they gave me the option to go to muckyhounds instead. I didn't even know the place existed till now, so I jumped at the chance to do something different than dog walking for the week. Myself and two other t.y student were moved up to their instead for the week. I couldn't wait to get started. I love dogs, and hopefully this experience would give advice on how to train my own dog.
The first day we were just really learning what to do. We got to play with the dogs and got them to perform tricks. Only basic ones though like sit and lie down. We used food to trained them because you can always keep a dogs attention with food. There were two sections to the room, one for the big dogs, and one for the little ones. I stayed with the little dogs for most of the week because the big ones were quite intimidating and played a bit rougher. They were so adorable and playful, although they still had tricks to learn. It was funny to see all of the dogs personalities, they were all so different. We also had to keep the place clean, whenever the dogs made their messes. It wasn't that bad or anything, all part of the job really.
We worked from 10a.m till 5p.m which was a long day with such energetic dogs. I was knackered after the first day even. The last hour of the day was spent tidying up. Washing all the toys, and hoovering the floors and putting stuff away in general. I really enjoyed the first day and was so glad I got moved up there.
The second day was quite busy, something like fifteen dogs. But we knew by then the routine and just worked on. If the dogs got in any way aggressive we just had to stand well back and let the trainers handle them. The biggest dog there was a black great dane called Hero. He was like a donkey, but he was a gentle giant really. I enjoyed working with my class mates and we had a really good time. Thursday was the quietest day and there were only a few dogs which were all quite layed back. We all had favourite dogs each. Mine was a stafordshire bull terrier called Izzy because she always looked like she was smiling. Most days went like that, playing, training and cleaning. It was quite tiring but worth it,
By the end of the week I was sad to be leaving. I had so much fun. I learnt lots from it, which I can use now to train my own dog. I now know how to handle her better. I would love to bring her up there someday to socialize with other dogs. I enjoyed working with the staff there as they were very kind and helpful. I might go up there again sometime to help out. I learnt to be more independant in decisions too.

Izzy smiling for the camera

               This is Hero, the biggest dog there.