Our family spent the 4th of July weekend on beautiful Orcas Island, and Meadow—our 4-month-old Golden Retriever—came along for the adventure. To get there with her, her crate, and all her toys, we took the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. It was a wonderful learning experience for her, and a milestone in her early development.
The car ride from our home in Snohomish to the ferry terminal took about an hour and fifteen minutes—the longest car ride Meadow has been on so far. She did beautifully. In fact, she slept the entire way.
This wasn’t by accident. We’ve put a lot of intentional work into preparing Meadow for trips like this. From rocking in a rocking chair to spinning in an office chair, sitting on the washing machine while it runs, riding on a boogie board in the bathtub, and swinging on the disc swing in the backyard—these activities may sound playful (and they are), but they serve an important purpose.
Gradual, positive exposure to motion in early puppyhood is highly effective in preventing both physical motion sickness and anxiety related to car rides later in life. These experiences help train the puppy’s vestibular system—the inner ear structures responsible for balance and equilibrium—to adapt to different types of movement before they develop any negative associations.
Puppies have underdeveloped inner ears, which makes them especially susceptible to nausea. By gently introducing movement early on, we help their eyes, ears, and brains learn to process motion together. You can begin training a puppy’s equilibrium even before putting them in a vehicle by using everyday household items like rocking chairs, strollers, and spinning chairs for 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
We learned these techniques from Kim Paciotti, a Puppy Training Specialist (CPDT-KA), and they’ve made a meaningful difference for Meadow. If you’re interested in learning more, you can get started here: Kim Paciotti’s Puppy Training Reel.
Panoramic Views and Puppy-Friendly Ferries
If you’ve ever ridden a Washington State Ferry through the San Juan Islands, you know the views are nothing short of breathtaking. We were treated to a dynamic mix of deep-blue waters, lush evergreen forests, rocky shorelines, and distant snow-capped mountains.
Modern ferries now include designated sections where dogs are welcome—either walking with their owners or sitting calmly by their side. Meadow and I walked through the dog-friendly areas, taking in the sights and sounds, before settling into a window seat to watch the 172 named islands and reefs pass by.
Meadow’s Superpower: Making Friends Everywhere She Goes
Meadow has a kind of magic power—she magnetizes people of all ages. Every dog has their own unique strengths. For some, it’s retrieving, for others, it’s focus or drive. For Meadow, it’s people. She is absolutely certain that every new person she meets is her newest best friend.
While some puppies can be shy or cautious when meeting new people, Meadow is confident, curious, and eager to connect. That said, we still approach introductions carefully. Puppies should always be introduced to new people at their own pace, with brief, controlled interactions paired with high-value treats to build positive associations. We always instruct guests to ignore the puppy at first, avoid hovering, and we reward calm behavior with praise and treats.
From an early age, Meadow has been exposed to a wide variety of people—including children, men and women, and individuals wearing hats, sunglasses, or carrying large items like luggage and backpacks. At first, she observed from a distance or from the safety of her stroller. This early training and exposure has helped her build confidence and calmness, and now she sits politely when meeting new people and soaks al that golden love in.
The Making of a Therapy Dog in Training
Meadow’s natural temperament reminds us of what makes a great therapy dog. Therapy dogs require a personality that is calm, confident, and overwhelmingly sociable. They must genuinely enjoy meeting strangers, handle physical handling—even if clumsy—without reacting negatively, and remain unfazed by loud noises, sudden movements, or unfamiliar environments. This is a pretty description of Meadow. She has genuine love for all people. She actively seeks out human interaction and is eager to be petted and cuddled. Her demeanor is stable and she is not easily startled by chaotic environments, strange smells, or sudden sounds. At the same time, for a puppy, she demonstrates a high level of impulse control. She is super sweet and does display overexcitement. She is also eager to please respond quickly to cues, focusing easily on her people and prioritizing the human bond she has with us. She trusts us and honors that trust by being trustworthy. Lastly, Meadow is patient, she has a tolerance for physical touch or clumsy handling, which is common in settings like nursing homes, children’s story times or hospitals. She seems to enjoy all of these interactions. They fill her need to interact with people.
Because temperament is the single most important factor, therapy dogs must pass a rigorous behavior and obedience evaluation to become certified. Meadow will eventually train and attempt to gain certification through Pet Partners. We’ll share updates on her progress here on the blog. For now, we consider every interaction part of her training—not just because we hope she’ll do therapy work one day (we do), but because as Meadow tries new things and meets new people, we’re learning more about who she is. And this—connecting with people, calmly and joyfully—is clearly her happy place. It’s where she shines.
We’re so grateful for weekends like this, where training, bonding, and adventure all come together. Meadow is growing into such a thoughtful, confident companion, and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next.
Stay tuned for more updates from Orcas Island, future ferry rides, and Meadow’s continued training and development.
— The Cedar Rock Golden Retrievers Family
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