My Sanity...

We all know how much I love our Logan he is a very important member of our family.

Well on Saturday morning bright and early. We are talking 5:30am Logan jumps on my bed and starts barking and jumping on my bed. I wasn't fully awake so wasn't thinking clearly so I went to let him into the backyard to potty but he just kept barking and wouldn't go out. I knew Jakers was in bed because he's in our room. Well then look at the couch and saw a notebook. The older 2 boys left a note because they decided to walk next door to their grandparents house to go to yard sales. So I called and they were sitting outside working out at my in laws house. I was so proud of Logan for alerting me to something different going on. He knew something was right and he came and got me. Even if I was a little slow in figuring it out. We then walked down to my in laws so he could see that the boys were OK and then we went back home and he got a nice treat :)

Everyday I am very thankful for DFA (www.dogsforautism.com) and everything they do for their families.

March Update...

Wow Its been awhile since I update the blog... Im a bad blogger..

Well that and we haven't had any AMAZING events happen or really gone anywhere in the past few months, so we haven't had much to update.

Its amazing to see the bond between the boys and Logan and how there are so many things that he instictively does. Its almost intersession and its getting to be warm outside so we are hoping to do alot more in the next few months. We are also waiting to do Logan's final testing so he will no longer be "in Training".

I would like to report one of the really neat things Logan has been doing at night with Jacob. He sleeps with Jacob and if Jacob is really wiggly or won't settle down. Logan will lay across Jacob some which helps with both comfort, and some weight similar to what you would use a Weighted Blanket for. I love watching them. I also thought it was funny, the other afternoon the boys were out in the yard playing Soccer and I had Logan inside with me (He tries to herd them while they are running around, He prefers for his boys to stay in one spot lol) But he sat right by the window and looked out of it the whole time and if he couldn't see Jacob he would bark until Jacob was in sight. We are hoping to make a trip up to the zoo soon so I will post about that when we get that done.

Urgent Fundraiser...

Please if you can help or know of any resources it would be greatly appreciated it. We desperately need this equipment for Logan. He will be coming back home next weekend.

From the Dogs For Autism Facebook page Then there is Logan, who after three weeks of in-kennel training, was nearly perfect in tonight's session. But he needs about $450 worth of equipment to be ready to do his job when he goes home next week. Logan's boy missed him so much that he recently disappeared only to be found curled up in Logan's crate. :-( We want to get Logan home asap.

A New Chapter

Well we've been in a new chapter of training. Logan went to "dog school" back to SC to the Dogs For Autism Center to get some extensive training done. It is extremely hard on us not to have Logan here but they are able to do alot more training in a shorter period of time with having him there.

For us this time away from Logan has really made me realize how much of a vital role he has in our lives. He isn't only a member of our family but is a stress relief for me. Jacob is having a huge time trying to adjust not having his Logan around. The bed time routine has changed because he doesn't have his Logan with him, which means Mommy isn't sleeping aswell because Logan would alert me if the boys would get up. We also were teaching Jacob to walk with Logan when he was getting "over stimulated" to calm him down.

Logan was also a comfort for me. Petting him or brushing him was a stim for me, I could block out the rest and concentrate on one item.

When Logan comes back we will begin a new chapter filled with new adventures and outings, With Logan doors are opening for Jacob, we can plan and go to places that we thought were imposible for us to visit. We can't wait for our Logan to finish his time at "dog school"

Training...

We are officially in advanced training with Logan. We have a trainer that comes up every 2 weeks. We are keeping our paws crossed that Logan will be certified by the end of summer! We hope you guys stay tuned and watch as we grow!

This week we are nailing down the the "Plotz" or "down stay" command. This is a very important command especially since we are planning on harnessing Jacob and Logan together. Its a very interesting training sessions the kids think I've lost it a bit. Jumping up and down, banging on the walls, walking circles around him but he is doing a great job staying put until we release him and give him lots of praise.

We will also starting venturing into public outings which will be a whole new can of worms. Alot of people don't understand what services a service dog can provide for a "normal looking" child. Which will take alot of explaining in the begining but educating people on service dogs and autism is worth taking a few minutes to deal with ignorant people.

Next week we continue on down stays increasing the time and begining to work on the first stages of the harness....

Training...

Well with a few more bumps along the way we are into our advance phase of training. This process is very much worth it but is most deffinately lots of hard work in every way. Our trainer which was wonderful today gave us some great advice. We are teaching Logan the "Go-to command" which is the first step of him being able to help us find Jacob if he goes on his own little adventure. He's having to get back into the training brain since its been a few months for him, but I am sure he will get back into the swing of things quickly...

This was Logan and Jacob this evening after a hard day of training....

Promise more updates and pics soon...

2 Weeks and a Day....

Can you guys believe that? Its been 2 whole weeks and a Day since Logan's Grand Arrival....

It has been an amazing life changing 2 weeks. We have had some alerts which is FANTASTIC and is distracting meltdowns. But the AMAZING part is this is so far just from instincts!

Now we have had a few rough patches last week when we up and changed the schedule on Logan, let me tell you this guy doesn't like to be separated from his boys, especially Jacob.

Now on to the ALERTS!!

On the same day as arrival I was in the kitchen and Jacob was unlocking the front door I yelled NO Outside and Logan got between Jacob and the door, now I just brushed this one off as a chance happening but he is still doing this, we haven't got it down to a science and if by chance Jacob gets by Logan, he starts barking and I come running.

On the 4th day he stopped Hunter from having a huge meltdown which was AMAZING to say the least. Hunter's meltdowns are indescribable. Hunter and I were doing homework and Hunter was having issues with me suggesting he call his teacher on the homework helpline for help. So Hunter drops to the floor starts crying and rocking. Logan walks over and paws him on the back and then started to put his face where Hunter was rocking and trying to sniff his face but Hunter turned around so Logan grabs his rope toy and brings it over to Hunter and start shaking it at Hunter and then when Hunter grabbed it Logan started pulling and shaking it so Hunter pulled back some and Logan let go, So Hunter threw it and Logan ran and fetched it and brought it back then they played with the rope for about 10minutes by then Hunter was calm and laughing at Logan. I praised Logan the whole time and gave him a doggie treat when he was done.

We have also had multiple alerts of Night Waking by all 3 of the boys I honestly never knew they got up so much at night.

Now it hasn't always been easy, Logan is a lot of work its not all fun and games. I've had to change my schedule to make sure I have time to walk him, and let him have his exercise and what not. He will let you know at time he is still a puppy and wants to play. But we are very thankful for DFA and for Logan and what a great match he is. I promise I will post more pics in the Morning...