July Class Matches

Congratulations and Thank You!
Updated on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Sebastian 3X7 YLM – Raised by Vicki & Ted Moore, Dallas, TX Area

Audrey 7I7 YLF – Raised by Peggy Banchy, Cocoa Beach, FL Area

J.J. 1DD6 BLxGM – Raised by Louise & Joe Henry, Hendersonville, NC Area

Gilly 4Y7 BLM – Raised by Carey & Missy Leslie, Dallas, TX Area

Sherman 3N7 BLxGM – Raised by Rebecca Hall, Charlotte, NC Area

Amsie 3W7 BLM – Raised by IMPACT and Linda Brown, Gainesville, FL Area

Mark 3Y7 BLM - Raised by Carol Shipley, Dallas, TX Area

Home Placement:
Lindsay 6I7 YLF – Raised by Linda Breazeale, Cocoa Beach, FL Area

Mom, I'm Bored

Here is something I see frequently on evals of older dogs. "It's time for EveryDog to come IFT. He's getting bored."

Well. We can't have bored dogs, now can we? Here are some activities you can do with your almost-ready-for-IFT dog.

- Movable Feast. Try feeding your dog in different locations. Start with different places in your kitchen and then your house, then move to your garage or driveway or deck. Get the dog used to eating wherever his bowl is placed. Now, I can hear you already. "My dog doesn't care! He'll wolf it down no matter what!" Yeah, the Labs and Goldadors probably won't have a problem with this. But if you have an exotic (Vizsla, Collie or Aussie), then I would definitely try this exercise.

- By the time your dog is nearing IFT, you've probably put his collar and jacket on a thousand times. But can you do it with your eyes closed? I love this exercise. It really points up how important it is for the dog to sit still while he "gets dressed." It also gets the dog used to being clomped in the head with buckles and straps.

- Blindfolded obedience. Pretty self-explanatory. Be sure to do a recall exercise. Does the dog come and sit close enough that you can easily reach him? On sit or down stays, can you tell whether he is holding the stay? How about that return to heel?

- Eat your dinner on the floor. Yeah, really. Grab your plate and sit on the floor. Will your dog maintain a down stay near you? Without commando crawling or drooling so much that you both float away? Be sure to have his training collar on and leash attached so you can give any needed corrections. Guide dogs should have minimal interest in people food and the thought that anything that goes into your mouth might instead make its way into his mouth should be strongly discouraged.

These are just a few ideas to stave off pre-IFT boredom. Now, let's hear your ideas!

Facebook has gone to the dogs!

It was bound to happen sooner or later - Facebook has gone to the dogs!

Southeastern Guide Dogs just launched our very own Facebook page. Connect with other Puppy Raisers and the rest of the SEGD family at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southeastern-Guide-Dogs/92490953062.

We'll meet you there!

Have you hugged a Veterinarian Partner today?

Veterinarians are a critical part of the “making of a good guide dog”. Southeastern Guide Dogs recently launched our Veterinarian Partners program, designed to recognize and honor the outstanding contribution veterinarians make to the Southeastern Guide Dogs mission of providing freedom and independence to the blind and visually impaired.

Our Veterinarian Partners (VP’s) all donate services at some generous level, ranging from a 30% to 100% discount. Our “Platinum Partners” donate 100% of all services – routine and non-routine. That’s right, everything is covered. Stop and think about this for a moment. A business, in this economy, has agreed to donate their valuable staff time and resources to benefit someone they will never meet.

We launched the Veterinarian Partners program on July 1, and within 72 hours our fax machine was cranking out new contracts, and within one week we had five Platinum Partners. I didn’t recognize a few of the Platinum Partner names and thought perhaps they were new to the organization, nope, it’s because they've never submitted an invoice – they’ve been caring for our guide dog puppies in training for years and have asked for nothing in return. As of today, 71 veterinarians have returned contracts committing to partnering in our mission. If that doesn’t make you want to hug a veterinarian, I don’t know what will.

Okay, I’m not really suggesting you hug your veterinarian (we may lose VP’s that way!). I am simply asking that we all become more aware and appreciative of the significant role that our veterinarians play in the process of raising a guide dog puppy – and always take time to say “thank you” for their generosity, compassion and the loving care they provide for our dogs.

Trainer's Diary: Countdown to Class

OK, this is it: T-minus 5 days to class. We don't take the dogs out on routes this week. They rest up for match day while we do our last minute preparations for class. For the dogs, the only thing they do this week is get a teeth cleaning and visit the dorm.

Teeth cleaning is just what it sounds like. We check everyone's teeth and those who need it get the tartar scraped off, then everyone gets a brushing. Now, if you don't think it's important to accustom your dog to body and mouth handling, then let me invite you to a teeth cleaning session. Most dogs are great, they lay quietly while we work on their teeth. But there are always a few that turn a 10 minute teeth cleaning into a 30 minute struggle worthy of any Las Vegas pay per view. This is never good for anyone, especially the dog. So please. I beg you. Check your dog's teeth every day and brush their teeth every week. Please get them used to someone mucking about in their mouth.

We take the dogs to the dorm so that they become familiar with it. We put them on tie down in a student room, take them to the dining room, day room, feeding and busy areas. Speaking of the busy area, I hope everyone is relieving their dogs on different surfaces. The class busy area is covered with rocks. It's not a huge area and the rocks are easier to keep clean. Most dogs have no problem with this, but again, there's always a couple that Just. Don't. Like. Rocks. This makes the student's life just a little bit more frustrating and no one needs that.

So that's pretty much it. Training a string of dogs from start to finish. Well, almost finish. We still need to match the dogs and help them and their new person turn into a functioning guide dog team. I will try to continue the Trainer's Diary once we're in class to let you know how EveryDog is doing.

This is it. EveryDog's entire life has been leading up to this. The time, effort and support of over 300 people went into preparing this dog to be a guide dog. Thanks to everyone who is a part of that. But an extra big shout-out to all the puppy raisers - you are the best!

Trainer's Diary: Big City and Blindfolds

Last Friday, we completed our final week of working the dogs before class. On Monday, we went to Tampa to do city work. Tampa isn't Manhattan, but the downtown area is big city enough. Large buildings, 6 lanes of busy traffic, buses, crowded sidewalks, food vendors. The whole deal. If a dog can handle Tampa, he's probably good to go. Some dogs love the city and all the commotion. Some dogs just tolerate it. While we're there we teach the dogs how to go through revolving doors. We ride a 2 story escalator and a glass elevator. We walk over a drawbridge that is one long metal grate that vibrates with the passing traffic. We practice intelligent disobedience. It's a jam-packed and fun-filled day:


Caesar's Joy waits at a curb. Somehow, I managed to get a traffic-free moment.



Gilly works a revolving door.


Amsie and Katie wait for the elevator.

The last part of the week was blindfold walks. It's exactly what it sounds like. The trainers put on blindfolds and work the dogs. We always have another trainer spotting us, just in case (no one wants to break an ankle right before class. Or any other time, for that matter). If there is a final exam for guide dogs, this is probably it. Because, as much as we try not to, as a sighted person, it difficult not to "cue" the dog: subconsciously slowing down at curbs or leaning out of the way of obstacles. Once you are under blindfold, it's totally and completely up to the dog to keep you safe. And sometimes, dogs just fold under that pressure.

Also, your body language changes when you are blindfolded. Personally, I have a hard time keeping my balance when I'm blindfolded, so I tend to go reeling down the sidewalk like a drunken sailor. Also, my whole demeanor becomes more tentative. Naturally, the dog picks up on this immediately and it adds stress. I've seen dogs go a few yards with their blindfolded trainer and actually turn and look up at them as if to confirm it is the same person. This mimics what the dogs go through when they first start working with new students. Even though the students are comfortable travelling without vision, they can be very nervous and unsure about handling the dog. They have to learn how to follow the dog. All of this puts stress on the dog and a blindfold walk shows us how the dog will handle that stress.

So. One more week before class. Still lots to do. Stay tuned.

Unrelated Side Note: We love it when you comment on these posts, but please remember to identify yourself. It is our policy not to post anonymous comments. Thanks!

Parades, Fireworks and Puppies (Oh My!)

Happy Canada Day. I have no idea what that is, exactly, but my calendar says July 1st is Canada Day, so.....Happy Canada Day.

My calendar also says that this Saturday is July 4th (yes, my calendar talks alot. I'm getting that checked out.) You know what the 4th means: parades and fireworks. You might think these would be excellent socialization opportunities for your puppies. And while the crowds might be good socialization, the noise would definitely not be a good thing. We do want dogs acclimated and socialized to noises, but a professional fireworks display with hundreds of people in attendance is just too much to ask of our pups. Yes, there are some dogs who could handle this with no problem, but why take the chance of ruining a dog? Because once a dog develops a fear of loud sharp noises, it is almost impossible to fix that.

Here's the bottom line: DO NOT take any puppy of ANY AGE to a professional fireworks display.

What about small fireworks in your neighborhood? Use common sense and monitor the dog. Start out at least 20 feet from the fireworks and watch the dog's reaction. If you see any negative reaction, take the dog home.

What about parades? If you want to sit on the front row, just feet from the passing bands and fire trucks and floats, then leave the dog at home. However, if you want to use this as a socialization exercise and are willing to make the dog your focus and priority, then please follow these guidelines: 1) stay at least 50 feet away from the parade. 2) Keep a close eye on your pup and if you see any signs of stress, especially from noise, then move farther away or leave.


Feeling guilty about leaving your pup home so you can enjoy the festivities? Don't! Staying at home occassionally is a good thing too.


Thank you for all the hard work you do to help give mobility and independence to people. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July.