Congratulations and Thank You!
Angel 4B7 YLxGF - raised by Katie Tyler - Charlotte, NC group
Bear 5H7 YLM - raised by Tracee Samuel - finished by Joan Glaraton - Jacksonville, FL group
Breezy 3FF6 YLxGF - raised by Wendy Sawtelle - Sarasota, FL group
Caleb 5C7 BLM - raised by Gainesville IMPACT
Clarke 8M6 YLxGF - raised by Susan & Raymond Sounder - Hilton Head, SC group - finished by Diona Boyle - Sun City, FL group
McIntosh 6C7 YLF - raised by Ellen Cox - Atlanta, GA group
Sir William 7U6 BTSCCM - raised by Jerry & Sonia Mazur - Ft. Myers, FL group
Mercedes 4EE6 BLF - raised by Robert Heggli - W. Palm/Ft. Lauderdale, FL group (Home Placement)
blue cape
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Trainer's Diary: Moving Day
So today was moving day, the day we moved our dogs from the Receiving Kennel down to the Big House, aka, the Training Kennel. Before we moved, everyone got a bath. You know how it is, you want to make a good impression on the new neighbors. So a nice bath, then ear cleaning, then load up the van and move 'em out. We kept everybody in pretty much the same run configuration, so no one had to get used to new roommates. The dogs will be ineligible for dog walking for a few days while they acclimate to the bigger kennel, but by the end of next week they will be going out with dog walkers.
We have completed our routes on campus and are now leaving grounds to work the dogs. First up, the Outlet Mall. This is an outdoor mall that gets very crowded with people, strollers, wheelchairs, small yappy dogs, kids. It's a great place to see what distractions or other issues the dogs may have. This mall is apparently one of the "don't miss" places for tourists because every other person there is either speaking a foreign language or has a Class 3 sunburn. We get a lot of questions and it's a nice opportunity to tell people about Southeastern.
Next week: Curbs. Lots and lots of curbs.
We have completed our routes on campus and are now leaving grounds to work the dogs. First up, the Outlet Mall. This is an outdoor mall that gets very crowded with people, strollers, wheelchairs, small yappy dogs, kids. It's a great place to see what distractions or other issues the dogs may have. This mall is apparently one of the "don't miss" places for tourists because every other person there is either speaking a foreign language or has a Class 3 sunburn. We get a lot of questions and it's a nice opportunity to tell people about Southeastern.
Next week: Curbs. Lots and lots of curbs.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Trainer's Diary: Who's Who
One of the first challenges of starting a new string of dogs is learning to tell them apart. This is easy with Aussies and Collies. Yellow dogs, easy (usually). Vizslas are a little trickier. But black Labs and Goldadors are the hardest. At first, all the black dogs look alike, especially if they are from the same litter. But after looking at them for a few days, the differences start to jump out at you. You notice that BlackDog 1 has lighter eyes than her nearly identical sister. Or BlackDog 2's tail curls all the way over her back. Or BlackDog 3 has a cowlick on his shoulders. Something always stands out that you can use to tell them apart. After a few weeks, they look so different from each other, it's hard to imagine ever thinking they all looked alike.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Trainer's Diary
You asked for it - you got it. One of the top three requests of what people want to see on this blog is more information about what happens to the dogs once they go IFT. Well, my training team just happens to be starting a new string of dogs - how conveeeeeenient. Over the next several months I will post occassional descriptions, pictures, explanations and just plain musings about ours dogs' experiences as we attempt to turn them into guide dogs.
A quick word about the dogs. I am not going use the dogs' real names. This is not because it's some state secret or a "if I told you I'd have to kill you" kind of thing. In fact, without too much trouble, some of you can probably figure out who these dogs are. But all of our dogs go through pretty much the same process, no matter who their trainer is, so I want these dogs to represent every dog. In fact, that is the name I am going to use: EveryDog. No matter what gender or breed, all my dogs will be called EveryDog in this blog.
So, here we go. These dogs came IFT while our team was teaching the most recent class of students. After class ended, we took some time off and are now refreshed and ready to get to work. Now, does this mean the dogs have been languishing in the kennel for the past 3 weeks? Of course not! As soon as they arrived, the Training Assistant began to work with them. The TA is repsonsible for all the new IFT dogs in the Receiving Kennel. He goes over each dog and fills out a checklist, noting their weight, the condition of their ears, skin, eyes, etc. Our Medical Services people start taking dogs in for hip x-rays. The TA also starts teaching everyone proper kennel behavior. This includes eating nicely with your roommates, exiting and entering the runs on command, playing well with others in the yard and of course, no barking. He also does obedience with them and starts taking them on their initial work routes. Dogs are generally worked for one route a day. The first route is done without a harness. This is to get a general idea of the dog's basic personality, before the responsibility of learning guide work is added. He then introduces the dog to the harness and notes any reaction to it. All of the initial routes are done on campus. By this time, the trainers usually arrive back from class.
The day starts at 6am when we arrive. We clean the kennel and feed everyone breakfast. Everyone gets a run in the yard and then we start working routes. Prior to every route, we do a little bit of obedience with each dog; we also give them a quick once-over to check their physical condition and do a short bit a grooming.
If guide dog school is like college, then these early routes can be considered "Introduction to Guide Work 101". We start introducing them to the concept of stopping at curbs. There is very little pressure or responsibility on these early routes. We show them everything they need to do and use lots of praise to make stopping at curbs the most enjoyable thing they will do that day. After every route we make notes in the dog's training log. We note their pace and pull, their energy level, and any distractions or concerns. Depending on the length and locations of the routes, we work between 4-6 dogs a day.
While we work routes, the TA or a kennel assistant is caring for the rest of the dogs. They are run in the yard several times during the day and eat a second meal in the afternoon. The day ends at 4:30 with a kennel full of tired dogs (and trainers). This is pretty much how every day goes. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Stay tuned.......
A quick word about the dogs. I am not going use the dogs' real names. This is not because it's some state secret or a "if I told you I'd have to kill you" kind of thing. In fact, without too much trouble, some of you can probably figure out who these dogs are. But all of our dogs go through pretty much the same process, no matter who their trainer is, so I want these dogs to represent every dog. In fact, that is the name I am going to use: EveryDog. No matter what gender or breed, all my dogs will be called EveryDog in this blog.
So, here we go. These dogs came IFT while our team was teaching the most recent class of students. After class ended, we took some time off and are now refreshed and ready to get to work. Now, does this mean the dogs have been languishing in the kennel for the past 3 weeks? Of course not! As soon as they arrived, the Training Assistant began to work with them. The TA is repsonsible for all the new IFT dogs in the Receiving Kennel. He goes over each dog and fills out a checklist, noting their weight, the condition of their ears, skin, eyes, etc. Our Medical Services people start taking dogs in for hip x-rays. The TA also starts teaching everyone proper kennel behavior. This includes eating nicely with your roommates, exiting and entering the runs on command, playing well with others in the yard and of course, no barking. He also does obedience with them and starts taking them on their initial work routes. Dogs are generally worked for one route a day. The first route is done without a harness. This is to get a general idea of the dog's basic personality, before the responsibility of learning guide work is added. He then introduces the dog to the harness and notes any reaction to it. All of the initial routes are done on campus. By this time, the trainers usually arrive back from class.
The day starts at 6am when we arrive. We clean the kennel and feed everyone breakfast. Everyone gets a run in the yard and then we start working routes. Prior to every route, we do a little bit of obedience with each dog; we also give them a quick once-over to check their physical condition and do a short bit a grooming.
If guide dog school is like college, then these early routes can be considered "Introduction to Guide Work 101". We start introducing them to the concept of stopping at curbs. There is very little pressure or responsibility on these early routes. We show them everything they need to do and use lots of praise to make stopping at curbs the most enjoyable thing they will do that day. After every route we make notes in the dog's training log. We note their pace and pull, their energy level, and any distractions or concerns. Depending on the length and locations of the routes, we work between 4-6 dogs a day.
While we work routes, the TA or a kennel assistant is caring for the rest of the dogs. They are run in the yard several times during the day and eat a second meal in the afternoon. The day ends at 4:30 with a kennel full of tired dogs (and trainers). This is pretty much how every day goes. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Stay tuned.......
Monday, March 23, 2009
Redefining Success
I enjoyed a wonderful event this weekend and had an opportunity to visit with dedicated puppy raisers from several areas in Florida. As a relative newcomer to PuppyLand, I’m still trying to take it all in. One recurring comment that seems to echo at every in-for-training and puppy gathering is “I just want him/her to make it.” It got me thinking, how do we communicate success in the Puppy Raising Program? Do you consider your efforts and that of your raised puppy a success only if the dog is matched and becomes a guide dog? That would be unfortunate. Sure, that’s our hope for every dog raised in our program, but that’s not reality. The science of creating the perfect match between dog and human goes well beyond house manners and good obedience. Seeing a student matched with the right dog is a remarkable thing, as is the awkwardness of the opposite. This is not necessarily the dog’s fault, nor the student’s; just not the right match – and certainly not a failure. Our trainers invest a lot of time getting to know each dog, their personality, strengths, weaknesses, stride and motivation. Our Admissions Staff seek this same information from the students, so that we can begin considering the right match sometimes even before the students arrive. The trainers know the relationship between dog and student cannot be forced, but rather patiently nurtured and observed. Perhaps knowing this we can redefine success not as to whether or not a dog was matched and becomes a guide dog, but whether he or she was up to the challenge in the first place.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Campus Update
There's been lots happening on our campus besides producing fantastic guide dog teams. Here are just a few of our recent campus improvements:
Freedom Walk Landscaping
We've completed Phase I of our Freedom Walk landscaping plan - and we're getting rave reviews from staff, volunteers, dog walkers and guests! Future phases include a Sensory Garden, a Circle of Friends Garden and a Memorial Garden, all designed pro-bono by our talented Landscape Architect Jeff Gilchrist. Most, if not all of the plant and landscaping material will be donated or provided to us at cost by a variety of local nurseries, including Turner Landscaping and Tropiflora (the official nursery for Singapore!).
Freedom Walk Landscaping
We've completed Phase I of our Freedom Walk landscaping plan - and we're getting rave reviews from staff, volunteers, dog walkers and guests! Future phases include a Sensory Garden, a Circle of Friends Garden and a Memorial Garden, all designed pro-bono by our talented Landscape Architect Jeff Gilchrist. Most, if not all of the plant and landscaping material will be donated or provided to us at cost by a variety of local nurseries, including Turner Landscaping and Tropiflora (the official nursery for Singapore!).
Puppy Kennel Renovations
We have a new puppy kennel - well, not exactly new, but it certainly looks like new with its beautiful new, durable flooring (replacing the old, peeled off surfaces) and fresh, bright paint! Our 20,000 plus guests who will visit the puppy kennel over the next 12 months are certainly going to be impressed.
We have a new puppy kennel - well, not exactly new, but it certainly looks like new with its beautiful new, durable flooring (replacing the old, peeled off surfaces) and fresh, bright paint! Our 20,000 plus guests who will visit the puppy kennel over the next 12 months are certainly going to be impressed.
Medical Services Enhancements
Thanks to grant from a Sarasota-based Foundation and the generosity of our Bradenton puppy raisers, we are adding an ultrasound machine and an incubator to our arsenal of state-of-the-art, on-campus medical equipment!
Thanks to grant from a Sarasota-based Foundation and the generosity of our Bradenton puppy raisers, we are adding an ultrasound machine and an incubator to our arsenal of state-of-the-art, on-campus medical equipment!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Jumping = No Joy
Recently, I ran into a puppy raiser (who shall remain nameless) at an event (that shall remain nameless) and when I started to greet the dog (who shall... well, you know), the dog jumped up and nearly smashed me in the face. Since I could see it coming, I moved away in time, but if I had been blind...well, a broken nose would not have been surprising.
Of the many, many things we ask you to teach the puppies, not jumping on people has to be in the top 10. Maybe even the top 3. Getting jumped on by a dog is annoying enough when you see it coming. Being literally blindsided by a dog is downright dangerous. Please do not allow your pups to jump on people. As with any rule infraction, the correct response is "No!" followed by a collar correction.
It is a natural behavior, especially for puppies, to jump on people. This mimics the behavior that dogs and wolves show in packs when the subordinate pack members try to lick the chins and mouths of the top dogs. So start from Day One with your puppy. Enforce the "four on the floor" rule from the beginning, with no exceptions. It won't take the pup long to figure out that he can express all his love and adoration from a horizontal rather than vertical position.
Of the many, many things we ask you to teach the puppies, not jumping on people has to be in the top 10. Maybe even the top 3. Getting jumped on by a dog is annoying enough when you see it coming. Being literally blindsided by a dog is downright dangerous. Please do not allow your pups to jump on people. As with any rule infraction, the correct response is "No!" followed by a collar correction.
It is a natural behavior, especially for puppies, to jump on people. This mimics the behavior that dogs and wolves show in packs when the subordinate pack members try to lick the chins and mouths of the top dogs. So start from Day One with your puppy. Enforce the "four on the floor" rule from the beginning, with no exceptions. It won't take the pup long to figure out that he can express all his love and adoration from a horizontal rather than vertical position.
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