Congratulations and Thank You!
Allen 2B7 YLxGM raised by Lena, Frank & Jenny Cole - Charlotte, NC group
Beacon 1K7 BLxGM raised by Jerry & Barbara Lindley - St.Pete, FL group
Chandler 2K7 BLxGM raised by John & June Connell - St.Pete, FL group (Home Placement)
Clarke 8M6 YLxGF raised by Susan & Raymond Souder - Hilton Head, SC group - finished by Diona Boyle - Sun City, FL group
Doc 1I7 BLM raised by Cathy & Larry Johnson – Ocala, FL group
(Home Placement)
Ellie 3F7 BLF raised by Margaret Glassman – Atlanta, GA group
Gayle 4K7 BLxGM raised by Tricia & Bill Gorham – St.Pete, FL group
Molly 5G7 YLF raised by Darlene Bigham - St.Pete, FL group
Popi 5DD6 BLxGM raised by Donald & Carolyn Furlong - St.Pete, FL group
Sassa 10E7 BLF raised by Carol Ann Keegan - St.Pete, Fl group
Shelby 4G7 BLF raised by Rebecca & Macy Phillips Huff – finished by Scott & Linda Vaughn - Nashville, TN group
blue cape
Monday, May 18, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Trainer's Diary: Dog Wrestling
Occasionally, we give the IFT dogs a good going over to check their skin and coat for any problems. This involves turning them on their backs so we can examine their bellies. So this thought occurred to me while we were sweating buckets and wrestling dogs that DID NOT want to roll over: daggone, I wish this was easier.
And it can be! You can make it so. Work with your pups from day one on body handling. I know you all clean ears and brush teeth and clip nails and that's great. But body handling should also include letting someone manipulate their legs, feel between the pads of their feet, lift their tails to inspect their backside, and yes, roll them over to look at their belly. Start on Day One gently flipping the pup upside down on your lap. They will struggle, but don't let them get up while they are struggling. Rub their chest or give them a bone to chew on to make it a pleasant experience. Once they stop struggling, wait one second, praise and release them with take a break. Next time, make them wait 5 seconds before releasing and so on. Eventually, most pups will accept this position and won't struggle. As the dogs get bigger, have them lie down and then gently push them over and hold their rear legs apart so you can look at their belly. They should lie still and not struggle. Use one hand to scratch their chest or neck while you are doing this or have a partner help you. After they are accustomed to you doing this, have other people do it. This is a great exercise to do at puppy meetings, by the way.
These dogs will be handled a lot on their journey to guide dog. And once they are with a blind person, it is even more important that they are acclimated to body handling, since visually impaired people inspect their dogs with their hands. Be sure to add body handling to your guide dog puppy's repertoire. Let's leave the wrestling matches to the WWF.
And it can be! You can make it so. Work with your pups from day one on body handling. I know you all clean ears and brush teeth and clip nails and that's great. But body handling should also include letting someone manipulate their legs, feel between the pads of their feet, lift their tails to inspect their backside, and yes, roll them over to look at their belly. Start on Day One gently flipping the pup upside down on your lap. They will struggle, but don't let them get up while they are struggling. Rub their chest or give them a bone to chew on to make it a pleasant experience. Once they stop struggling, wait one second, praise and release them with take a break. Next time, make them wait 5 seconds before releasing and so on. Eventually, most pups will accept this position and won't struggle. As the dogs get bigger, have them lie down and then gently push them over and hold their rear legs apart so you can look at their belly. They should lie still and not struggle. Use one hand to scratch their chest or neck while you are doing this or have a partner help you. After they are accustomed to you doing this, have other people do it. This is a great exercise to do at puppy meetings, by the way.
These dogs will be handled a lot on their journey to guide dog. And once they are with a blind person, it is even more important that they are acclimated to body handling, since visually impaired people inspect their dogs with their hands. Be sure to add body handling to your guide dog puppy's repertoire. Let's leave the wrestling matches to the WWF.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Trainer's Diary: Lightbulb Moment
So about a week ago, I threw a harness on Everydog and we went out for our route. I had absolutely no expectations, because it is still fairly early in training, so when he stopped - on his own - at the first curb, I just thought it was a coincidence of timing. I praised him and off we went. Where he promptly stopped at the next curb. And the one after that. By this time I'm nearly levitating off the sidewalk, I'm praising him so much. Big paycheck, for sure.
This has to be my favorite part of training guide dogs; the time when the dogs start realizing what the game is all about. It's the "Lightbulb Moment". You can almost see the lightbulb going off in their furry little heads. It's so cool because it means they understand the concept of stopping at ALL curbs. Some curbs are flat and some are a step and the dogs figure out to stop at each and every one. And THAT is cool, because it means that I have somehow successfully communicated that concept to the dog.
Now, this does not mean that I am some kind of Dog Trainer Extrodinaire. I've just learned how to communicate effectively with dogs (which is the secret of any dog trainer, by the way). In fact, you do the same kind of communicating with your pups. You communicate the concepts of sit and down and stay and all the rest. You condition them to respond in a certain way to the word "sit" and then teach them that they have to respond that way no matter where they are or what is happening around them. Not only are you teaching them the basics of obedience, you are teaching them how we communicate: command, praise if done right, correction if not. Praise when done correctly. This carries through all the way to the student.
So to whichever EveryRaiser raised my EveryDog: Thanks! Thanks for laying down the basics and making my job just a little bit easier.
This has to be my favorite part of training guide dogs; the time when the dogs start realizing what the game is all about. It's the "Lightbulb Moment". You can almost see the lightbulb going off in their furry little heads. It's so cool because it means they understand the concept of stopping at ALL curbs. Some curbs are flat and some are a step and the dogs figure out to stop at each and every one. And THAT is cool, because it means that I have somehow successfully communicated that concept to the dog.
Now, this does not mean that I am some kind of Dog Trainer Extrodinaire. I've just learned how to communicate effectively with dogs (which is the secret of any dog trainer, by the way). In fact, you do the same kind of communicating with your pups. You communicate the concepts of sit and down and stay and all the rest. You condition them to respond in a certain way to the word "sit" and then teach them that they have to respond that way no matter where they are or what is happening around them. Not only are you teaching them the basics of obedience, you are teaching them how we communicate: command, praise if done right, correction if not. Praise when done correctly. This carries through all the way to the student.
So to whichever EveryRaiser raised my EveryDog: Thanks! Thanks for laying down the basics and making my job just a little bit easier.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Say Cheese!
Puppy raisers we are looking for photos of you socializing your puppies. Whether it is a routine trip to the grocery store, dining in a restaurant, or an extra special adventure, we want to see you and your puppy in action!
The photos will be featured on the Southeastern Guide Dogs main website. We will initially select three photos to feature. If your photo is selected you will be contacted by Stacy Howe, Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Stacy will write a short story to accompany the photo.
We will update the photos and stories every two months so be sure to continue submitting your photos.
Please submit your photos to stacy.howe@guidedogs.org.
The photos will be featured on the Southeastern Guide Dogs main website. We will initially select three photos to feature. If your photo is selected you will be contacted by Stacy Howe, Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Stacy will write a short story to accompany the photo.
We will update the photos and stories every two months so be sure to continue submitting your photos.
Please submit your photos to stacy.howe@guidedogs.org.
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