Welcome to Bootsy's Adventures

Bootsy is not just any dog; he’s a very special Certified Emotional Support K9, a spirited Anatolian Shepherd mix with a zest for life and a heart as big as his paws. At seven years old athe time of this publication, we often joke that he’s not a dog but actually a miniture Shetland pony, as he weighs in at a whopping 102.3 pounds! But as big as his body is, his heart is even bigger. Bootsy is the most gentle and loyal dog we’ve ever known. He’s extremely smart, learning new commands every week and is ever entertaining with his utter cuteness.

But Bootsy isn’t a pet, he’s a service dog, and he’s bred to be a working dog and is very rule-based and routine-based by nature. His internal clock is very good, and he knows when it’s time to go for walks, go to work, go home, etc.

From chasing (and barking at) butterflies in the backyard to cozying up for a nap in the sun, Bootsy’s adventures are as varied as they are delightful. He loves to go for long car rides and he absolutely loves long walks and getting in his sniffies for the day. His playful but serious nature and gentle soul make him a beloved companion to all who meet him.

“Sit” – Hand signal: flat palm over head

“Stay” – Hand signal: point at his head from a short distance. He will stay for up to a few minutes even if you leave the room.

“Down” – sits on all fours 

“Down, down all the way” -lies on his side

“Down, down all the way, do the puppy!” – rolls over on his back. This is play time, and he gets paid for it.

“Do the doggy dance!” – dances with you. Usually do this before going on a walk.

“Ready to go to work?!” – he knows it’s time to get his service dog vest and prong collar on.

“Mount up!” – jumps up into the car. (When you open the door or hatch to let him out, he won’t get out until you tell him to

“Get in your seat.” – After getting in the car, he will get into the passenger seat if you want him there.

“Walkie-walkies!? – he gets excited as he knows his walk is about to begin

“Downward dog?!” – he does this when getting ready for a walk. More of an acknowledgement, as he does it that gets him happy and excited 

“Come (!)” comes to your location. No hand signal needed

“Wait”  he waits in place, either on a long leash or short or off leash.

“With me” – gentle version of “heal”

“Heal” –  reduces speed to match his head with my your knees

“Heal!” – quick, gentle pop on prong collar as correction 

“Leave it (!)” – removed his focus on a distraction or undesirable stimulus 

“Eyes…” – recenters and gets him to focus on your face. Look at him and put your two fingers up to your eyes. 

“Left/right turn” – turns left or right on a short leash

“Do the dolphin!” – pat your upper chest and he’ll jump up with his front legs tucked in

“Paw, paw…” – grab his paw to untangle the leash, or clean hi,m or to trim his nails

“Place” – down and stay combined. Used for anywhere but his bed

“Get on your bed/Go to your bed” – gets on his bed. So this when paying him a treat as well 

Feeding Ritual

Feeding time is roughly 6 am and 6 pm. 

“Come, down, place, wait” – do this and then prepare his meal (and fresh water) in front of him. Put food and water down on floor and say “Up!”, then “Ok, eat, eat your food”. Bootsy will not eat until he has permission

Mother Nature Ritual

Sing song: “It’s Poo-poo Pee-pee time, time to go poo-poo pee-pee”… Sing it several times when we’re on his walk. He will usually go poo-poo in a ditch or an untravelled area if it’s available