Haddie had never lived or been around kids in her early years so the fact that she was so comfortable and gentle was a good sign.
She was raised with good house manners, basic obedience and some more advanced skills, but it was about her feeling comfortable with new owners and adjusting to a new environment.
“Having kids can be a little nerve wracking to bring a new animal into the house,” said Paige. “‘How will they be if the kids grab them? Or take their toy?’ Which were all the reasons we hadn’t gotten a second one yet. Luckily with Haddie, she is so gentle with the kids, and we are so grateful for that!”
The Dowd’s knew it would be a transition but are optimistic with how far she has come in such a short period in their home.
“The first day I don’t think she even laid down - she had to be following everyone and wasn’t quite listening to us,” said Paige. “Now she’s so calm in the house and is so gentle and loving to the kids. We never really expected a transition period with going from service training to family dog but there definitely is one for them! Working life to family life is a big change. She loves to learn, and she’s found a lot of new hobbies in her career changed life.”
Nic, who says his home is now very “hairy and full,” has seen her improvements in recent weeks but knows it’s still a work in progress.
“It's been pretty smooth,” he said. “She had a lot of the basics down, but she still pushes back a lot. I think the fact that we weren't the ones that trained her from the beginning, she probably struggles with a little bit. She's kind of like, ‘well, I don't take orders from you, I take them from my caretaker.’ But we're working on that. She's a really good dog and really sweet.”
Paige has noticed that Haddie is very attentive to commands and has been great on a leash and in public settings.
Haddie’s appearance in the recent Capitals ‘Canine Calendar’ proved her recent comfortability with new people as she was her gentle and loving self around the other Capitals’ players dogs.
One of her main teachings is still feeling comfortable around the kids and reacting to seeing their food fall on the floor.
Like most dogs through, vacant food on the ground is usually eaten up swiftly whether their owners like it or not.
Through America’s VetDogs, the Capitals have seen the impact the dogs have had on individuals first-hand.
The way that these dogs not only bring guidance and protection but love and support for veterans or first responders with disabilities is truly remarkable and life changing.
“It's a great thing,” said Nic. “Obviously, I think dogs in any capacity have the ability to heal and help people. You add another layer to highly trained dogs that can physically help someone get through their day. Emotionally, dogs are really important to people and they're part of the family, especially here in the U.S. We’re fortunate that we just get a tiny little piece of that because Haddie didn't want to work in that field.”
Deana Stone, who was Captain and Biscuits puppy raiser at America’s VetDogs, has been in constant contact with the Dowd’s offering any guidance or resources possible. She has frequently visited to help with certain vocabulary they use for their dogs’ commands.
“She’s made the transition for both Haddie and us so much easier,” said Paige.
