Smoky's Pledge-A-Pup Updates

"Well, today is the day! Smoky finally met his forever person, Joe. It warmed our hearts to introduce them to each other as it's been a long journey to this amazing emotional moment. Joe has an energy that is perfect for Smoky, and the next 5 weeks will prove the pair is a great match. With Smoky’s help, Joe will find pieces of himself that he thought he had lost forever. We believe that together they will do great things. It is just the beginning for the two of them!"

- Shannon Walker, NWBB Founder and CEO

Our trainers are continuing to polish Smoky's public access skills, and he's continuing to show improvement in his composure and focus. Smoky has become noticeably calmer than during previous training sessions, with his responses becoming increasingly "automatic" — a significant milestone bringing ease and confidence to his public outings.

As Smoky’s journey continues with NWBB currently, we are continuing to perfect his skills and prepare him for the next group of Veterans in the fall. It is our hope that the perfect match is fond in that group. When we pair dogs with Veterans, we consider the lifestyle, energy level, physical ability, goals and hobbies. The correct “pairing,” is essential to the success of the service dog team.

This month, Smoky's trainer at Northwest Battle Buddies has been working with him on stair navigation skills (watch the video!). This is a scary experience for most dogs, but not for Smoky! Instead, he approached the stairs with excessive enthusiasm, treating them as a game and quickly rushing up and down. The training team is now focusing on teaching Smoky to slow down, carefully follow his handler's pace, and navigate stairs one step at a time regardless of the handler's speed.

Overall, the NWBB team is happy to report Smoky has made significant progress on this task. His ability to adapt quickly to new challenges with ease — especially in public — will help make him an excellent PTSD service dog.

Smoky has transitioned smoothly into his professional training program at Northwest Battle Buddies and is thriving in his new environment. His days are structured around learning essential routines and schedules, while still maintaining plenty of enriching playtime.

Smoky recently underwent a successful spay/neuter procedure at Newberg Veterinary Clinic, along with his fellow battle buddies in training. After completing his 10-day recovery period, he will begin foundational training focusing on crucial skills including leash manners, "down" and "here" commands, and proper greeting behaviors (specifically working on eliminating jumping).

It’s been a great month for Smoky. We have been working on “out of the kitchen”. I put him in a down just outside the kitchen and he is to stay out from underneath me while cooking. He has been doing so well waiting for his treat.

-Smoky's Foster

Smoky is getting HUGE! He towers over our Heelers now but is still too clumsy to overpower them. He’s got some quick moves though and is able to out maneuver them and change directions pretty quickly. He spins around in circles and the Heelers don’t know what to do with that!

-Smoky's Foster

Smoky has been keeping up on training, practicing "down" commands on restaurant patios and maintaining his focus even in distracting public settings.

-Smoky's Foster

While at work with me, Smoky finds whatever stick he can, some small, some large. We have found a post outside that we can tie him out and still see him from the desk inside the door. He likes to hang out there and watch Pedro in the yard moving equipment. If we don’t tie him out, he rings the bell to go outside every 2 seconds letting us know he wants to go outside!

-Smoky's Foster

We took Smoky on a week long camping trip to the beach with all the dogs and kids. Smoky had so much fun and did great!

-Smoky's Foster

We sat in the yard while a semi-truck unloaded a mini excavator. Smoky just sat quietly and watched

-Smoky's Foster

Smoky is still learning to navigate the stairs going down and slides down half of them. He also has learned to wait patiently while our dog Arrow finishes her meal before he cleans her bowl hoping that she left a morsel, but she never does.

-Smoky's Foster

Smoky goes to work with me every day and loves his work crew! He meets new customers every day and there is always a positive outcome every time. He brings smiles to everyone’s faces.

-Smoky's Foster