Going For Gold

Words by Layla Blackwell & Photos by Caroline Finn

Life has taught me many important lessons but how to be resilient is the top one.

An unexpected accident left me with a choice to make. I could be brave and embark on a new adventure or let the fear of failure stop me having the best future.

Digging deep, I chose bravery.

For a few years now I’ve wanted to train an assistance dog for myself.

There are charities that provide dogs for people with disabilities but the demand for the service is immense.

Waiting lists are years long and meeting the ownership criteria is difficult.

Training your own cuts out the red tape but is a whole different set of challenges.

To succeed, I knew, I needed a concrete plan.

Plans of Best Intentions

I spoke to rescuers and trainers about the best way to find the right dog.

They all recommended getting a spaniel puppy.

My family dogs were both spaniels and I knew they were incredibly intelligent and loyal, so I quickly agreed.

I’d never had to buy one before though, so I went online just to compare prices.

I didn’t want to rush.

Honestly.

But fate, I believe, had other plans.

I saw an advert for a gorgeous, 20-week-old, cocker spaniel puppy. One that needed immediate rehoming due to the original family having health problems.

I trusted my gut then and contacted the seller for more details.

That’s how I came to own Mable. Spelled that way to represent enable.

Building Trust and Growing Bonds

The biggest hope I have for our relationship, enabling us to reach our full potential together.

I took the next few days to just enjoy getting to know Mable before telling the world.

I understood that it was a big challenge that I had undertaken and well meaning loved ones did voice their doubts.

It’s quite common to go through the puppy blues when you start to realise what’s involved.

The level of responsibility is overwhelming.

I had made a promise to Mable and myself to give this my best and I work every day to keep that.

As a wheelchair user, I am not the perfect owner of a 3- year-old, full of beans, working cocker.

Working dogs are the worst when unemployed and will find jobs for themselves.

Although I wanted to be solely responsible for raising Mable it quickly proved unmanageable.

So, raising and improving Mable’s life continues to be a community task.

Classes and Spaces

There’s a lot about the early days that I’d probably do differently with the experience I’ve gained since.

The major struggle I have is finding wheelchair accessible classes and spaces that I can take Mable to safely.

Being a clever dog, she knows I am more vulnerable and tries to protect me from things.

It makes her a little reactive at first. Probably because I’m nervous, so we’re both working on confidence levels.

The other struggle is cost, training has been more expensive than I thought it would be. I’ve done a lot but there are some things I’m not good at because of my disability.

Techniques often need to be adapted a little.

Take ‘sit’ for example. Best taught on the floor, but I couldn’t reach her there. So taught her on the couch.

This then meant I had to go back and teach Mable that she only goes on the couch when I give her permission.

That confused her.

Lie down was the same and getting on her harness.

She’s also had to learn patience because I can’t always do things quickly.

Patience is difficult but she does her best.

I get a lot of spaniel side eye, the equivalent of a raised eyebrow when she’s tolerating me.

She probably got that from me too though.

New Dog, New Tricks

Occasionally Mable teaches herself tricks I haven’t taught her.

She understands ‘move out the way’, she often clears my path and removes things that get under the chair.

Not something I’ve taught her on purpose, but still useful.

Mable understands a lot of English and often listens to phone conversations.

She knows plans before she’s told and gets used to routines quickly.

This is one of the many ways she can outsmart me, but she’ll often remind me when I forget things too.

There’s a careful balance to keep her out of trouble and give me the illusion of being the boss.

I’ve realised I am not going to be able to train Mable to the extent I would like. Not without some serious help. It’s disappointing but I’m going to keep trying and get to the best point I can.

That’s my plan for us both.

We might not get a medal, but as long as we’re together, we’re victorious.