Westwood’s old dogs learn new tricks

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By Mary Kate Nolan
Hometown Weekly Intern

On Thursday, June 29, a few four-legged friends and their two-legged owners gathered at the home of Susan Lowell to improve their agility and let out a little (or a lot of) energy. The program, run through the Islington Community Center in Westwood, aims to provide the dogs with exercise, socialization, and a range of new skills and tricks.

After sniffing each other out and deeming one another non-threatening enough, the dogs eagerly began to explore the backyard course Lowell had prepared for them. The course consisted of hoops to jump through, many brightly colored tunnels, and bars for the canines to jump over, amongst other obstacles.

However, a three-year-old miniature dachshund named Hope couldn’t wait to show off her specialty – the seesaw. Unlike the other dogs in attendance, Hope had the advantage of being low to the ground and seemed unfazed, if not downright delighted, by the challenge from which so many other pups might run with their tail between their legs.

Hope’s owner, Lynne Flodin, shared that when her furry companion started puppy training class with Lowell, who has been training dogs for 30 years, the dachshund saw other dogs nearby doing agility training. Much to her owner’s surprise, Hope began leaping from couch to couch and testing her own agility at home in imitation of what she had seen the other dogs doing. Flodin subsequently signed Hope up for this program. “Hope absolutely adores it,” she said.

Three of the dogs that typically participate in the agility training have also completed the course to receive the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Award. Lowell, who is also involved with this program, said that as dogs are increasingly allowed in schools, on flights, and in other locales once considered off-limits to pooches, more people want to involve their pets in this program as a stepping stone to becoming service dogs. The Good Citizen program promotes responsible pet ownership and good behavior for dogs.

Since receiving his Canine Good Citizen Award, six year old Labrador, Biscuit, has spent time visiting a psychiatric hospital with his humans to comfort and play with the children there. One of Biscuit’s owners, Gus Iarrobino, says that both the children and the staff love the visits because they break up the monotony of the children's day and even give them the opportunity to do tricks with Biscuit. Iarrobino enjoys these opportunities to bond with and socialize his dog while helping those in need of companionship and a hug from a furry friend.

Another benefit of Lowell’s two programs is the opportunity for dogs of many different breeds, sizes, and backgrounds to become comfortable with one another. Hope and Biscuit, for example, may not have gotten along very well if they passed each other on the sidewalk, but through the agility program they have become great friends. They work together to coax treats from their owners and Lowell because, after all, two pairs of puppy dog eyes are more convincing than one.