It was actually cool this morning shortly after 5:30 when we all went out to park. We are all doing better at locating the things that need to be picked up with less coaching from instructors.
I did grooming after park and cleaned up for breakfast. I did obedience in the main lobby today to have the distractions of people coming and going. Trinity and I went at 7:45 with the trainer into town and we worked alone with him. . We left the down town lounge and walked to the court house where we had two opportunities to work through metal detectors and negotiate narrow halls with lots of people and several sets of stairs. We then went to check out the life size statue of Morris Frank and his German shepherd Seeing Eye dog. It is so very life like that the police are sometimes called to rescue the blind man and his dog. For additional information about Morris Frank, Google him. In short, he was instrumental in founding this school and in leading the way for all future guide dog teams in this country.
The trainer and I stopped at a coffee place and had a chance to visit before returning to the lounge.
Upon our return to campus, we went again to park before having instructions in teeth cleaning, ear cleaning, and giving pills, liquid medication, and topical flea control.
After lunch, I went with the 2:00 shuttle to town. Here my partner and I did our practice Elm Street Loop walk. There were at least three staged dog distractions, another traffic check, and our fifth encounter with a barricade. My partner and I could discuss the details of the route together as we went along. One team leads from a corner and throughout the block, the dog in the rear may find safe passage to take the lead. This is acceptable. At the next corner, the other team member begins the block.
I feel that this dog is easy to work, but I need to be on her better with dog distractions. She is responsive to voice commands, but I still need to use the leash as well for certain kinds of distractions. She has been very good with traffic checks. She was walking faster today in the cooler weather, and I am glad for this.
It was nearly park time again when we returned and then it was dinner. We had a lecture this evening given by the vet. Then there was the last park of the day.
Since we have had our dogs, we have been teaching them the “Go to your place.” Command by taking them there with the command each time we return to our rooms. Later we would take them there with the command and stand with them there on leash when the trainer prearranged to come and knock. This afternoon, we had them off leash in the room with a bell on their collar. When the food pans were brought, we told them to go to their place and “Rest” (our term for ‘stay’) and if they moved from their place as the door was opened, the door went closed again. Trinity needed one door closing to learn to stay put. “Good Girl!”
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
TRAFFIC
My trainer mixed us up differently this week so that I have a different partner. I have always gone on the first trip, but today, I went on the shuttle to the down town lounge at 9:00 instead of 7:45. Instructor assistants shuttle us from the campus to the training center so that we don’t have as much time sitting and waiting.
During that first hour, I had some additional exposure to clicker training one-on-one. There are some very clever techniques developed to make best use of this training method without needing to see what the dog is doing.
We did the Elm Street loop again today, morning and afternoon. Since we are now encountering such different intersection configurations and continuing to have traffic checks on every session, I thought I would describe how dogs work in traffic. I have now listened to the lecture in class and listened to the mp3 files on this topic. Here is a sketch of what I have reviewed.
The initial decision to enter a street is made by the handler based on the traffic flow. By hearing the cars respond to changes in the lights at signalized intersections, we can tell when the light is in our favor. This is usually at the surge of the parallel traffic. However, computerization of traffic signals and quiet cars have made this whole process much more difficult in many instances.
What does the dog do? The dog waits for the handler to give a verbal command to go into the intersection. It is trained to watch for traffic and disobey the command if it is not safe to do so. This has limitations, though. The dog can judge traffic traveling up to 30 mph from a distance of 20 feet. Outside of these parameters, the dog is not reliable. The reason for this is that the dog does not understand the danger of traffic as potentially deadly as we do. Its nervous system was developed to judge the speed of other animals and this is at slower speeds. If a car is traveling 30mph, it travels 20ft in about ½ second. The dog is taught to stop, slow, or even back up if a car is heading its way. The dog must not fear traffic or it would not be able to cross in front of cars that are stopped at a light. It would not be able to travel on a sidewalk along a busy street or approach a bus to board it.
We need to be mindful not to push the harness forward as we prepare to cross or hurry the dog or it will go based on our body language and without checking to see if it is safe. It is a common tendency of a handler to want to hurry across the street, but we need to slow down and keep a pressure on the harness handle and let the dog do its work. There is extensive work done with the dogs throughout the training process with traffic. A supervisor is out in the Prius cutting us off in driveways and during street crossings. They must not do too much of this to make the dog anxious, but enough to make it vigilant. This varies; I’m sure with each dog. This is why we cannot practice traffic checks on our own. If, after graduation, we feel that our dogs are becoming to bold in traffic to be safe, we must call the school and they will work with each situation individually, and this may include a visit to the graduate’s home area.
Sometimes we will want an idling car to go through the intersection so as not to block the sounds of other traffic in the area. Oddly enough, well-meaning drivers or sighted pedestrians have told us to cross when they have been so taken by the dog that they have neglected to check for safety themselves. This makes us cautious about going on the advice of others.
There were no lectures today or this evening. Those who chose to do so watched a movie “Love In the Lead”. I took the opportunity to sit on the floor by Trinity and listen to more of the mp3 files they provided in the beginning of class.
During that first hour, I had some additional exposure to clicker training one-on-one. There are some very clever techniques developed to make best use of this training method without needing to see what the dog is doing.
We did the Elm Street loop again today, morning and afternoon. Since we are now encountering such different intersection configurations and continuing to have traffic checks on every session, I thought I would describe how dogs work in traffic. I have now listened to the lecture in class and listened to the mp3 files on this topic. Here is a sketch of what I have reviewed.
The initial decision to enter a street is made by the handler based on the traffic flow. By hearing the cars respond to changes in the lights at signalized intersections, we can tell when the light is in our favor. This is usually at the surge of the parallel traffic. However, computerization of traffic signals and quiet cars have made this whole process much more difficult in many instances.
What does the dog do? The dog waits for the handler to give a verbal command to go into the intersection. It is trained to watch for traffic and disobey the command if it is not safe to do so. This has limitations, though. The dog can judge traffic traveling up to 30 mph from a distance of 20 feet. Outside of these parameters, the dog is not reliable. The reason for this is that the dog does not understand the danger of traffic as potentially deadly as we do. Its nervous system was developed to judge the speed of other animals and this is at slower speeds. If a car is traveling 30mph, it travels 20ft in about ½ second. The dog is taught to stop, slow, or even back up if a car is heading its way. The dog must not fear traffic or it would not be able to cross in front of cars that are stopped at a light. It would not be able to travel on a sidewalk along a busy street or approach a bus to board it.
We need to be mindful not to push the harness forward as we prepare to cross or hurry the dog or it will go based on our body language and without checking to see if it is safe. It is a common tendency of a handler to want to hurry across the street, but we need to slow down and keep a pressure on the harness handle and let the dog do its work. There is extensive work done with the dogs throughout the training process with traffic. A supervisor is out in the Prius cutting us off in driveways and during street crossings. They must not do too much of this to make the dog anxious, but enough to make it vigilant. This varies; I’m sure with each dog. This is why we cannot practice traffic checks on our own. If, after graduation, we feel that our dogs are becoming to bold in traffic to be safe, we must call the school and they will work with each situation individually, and this may include a visit to the graduate’s home area.
Sometimes we will want an idling car to go through the intersection so as not to block the sounds of other traffic in the area. Oddly enough, well-meaning drivers or sighted pedestrians have told us to cross when they have been so taken by the dog that they have neglected to check for safety themselves. This makes us cautious about going on the advice of others.
There were no lectures today or this evening. Those who chose to do so watched a movie “Love In the Lead”. I took the opportunity to sit on the floor by Trinity and listen to more of the mp3 files they provided in the beginning of class.
Monday, June 28, 2010
LOTS OF NEW THINGS
There were lots of new things to do today. Our morning trip involved a new route that was about 1.3 miles. There were more difficult crossings and more traffic. There were stores and more pedestrians out. It also includes sidewalk cafes and lots of driveways where traffic can cut us off. There is the ever-present supervisor who does his best to run us over with the Prius, or so it seems. Then there are the unplanned traffic checks from drivers at large to contend with.
It was to hot this afternoon to go out, but we will eventually do our next solo on this route.
This afternoon, each group went to a different store. Our trainer took the four of us to a department store to work on going up and down an escalator with our dogs. They are trained to walk onto the platform. We take the railing in our right hand and reach far in front of us so that we can tell when the stairs are beginning to flatten out. We hold the dog’s harness to keep it from going ahead of us. At the end, we let the harness go and heel the dog off. If the dog is not moving at the end of the ride, their toes can more easily get caught on the lip where the stairs end. I try to avoid escalators, but this is not always possible. This lab will not have the issues of long hair on the toes to get caught that Sydney had. It is important to keep the hair of a golden foot short for escalator work.
Following this, we went to a coffee shop for a drink and to visit.
Lectures today included one on how our dogs are trained to work in traffic and one on feeding, treats, and appropriate toys. We heard all the terrible things that can happen if the guidelines are not followed.
Over the weekend, we moved from the outer dining room to the one in the back. This means that we now have to work our dogs past other diners during the noon meal. Here, we can work on manners for the dogs in restaurants. No fraternizing with the customers. In this case, it is the kennel staff.
In and among everything else, I did my laundry today. It was time.
I woke very tired this morning and did not seem to have the emotional reserves for no good reason. Trinity is working well and there are no issues, still… I feel better this evening, but I do hope to get to bed earlier tonight.
It was to hot this afternoon to go out, but we will eventually do our next solo on this route.
This afternoon, each group went to a different store. Our trainer took the four of us to a department store to work on going up and down an escalator with our dogs. They are trained to walk onto the platform. We take the railing in our right hand and reach far in front of us so that we can tell when the stairs are beginning to flatten out. We hold the dog’s harness to keep it from going ahead of us. At the end, we let the harness go and heel the dog off. If the dog is not moving at the end of the ride, their toes can more easily get caught on the lip where the stairs end. I try to avoid escalators, but this is not always possible. This lab will not have the issues of long hair on the toes to get caught that Sydney had. It is important to keep the hair of a golden foot short for escalator work.
Following this, we went to a coffee shop for a drink and to visit.
Lectures today included one on how our dogs are trained to work in traffic and one on feeding, treats, and appropriate toys. We heard all the terrible things that can happen if the guidelines are not followed.
Over the weekend, we moved from the outer dining room to the one in the back. This means that we now have to work our dogs past other diners during the noon meal. Here, we can work on manners for the dogs in restaurants. No fraternizing with the customers. In this case, it is the kennel staff.
In and among everything else, I did my laundry today. It was time.
I woke very tired this morning and did not seem to have the emotional reserves for no good reason. Trinity is working well and there are no issues, still… I feel better this evening, but I do hope to get to bed earlier tonight.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
A DAY OF REST
It was a day of rest for us, or at least it should have been. There were no formal workouts. Those who wanted to do so could go to church leaving their dogs on tie down in their rooms.
I chose to stay here and took a walk with Trinity on the leisure path and spent some time in personal worship, playing the piano and reading scripture. I also took two naps and am still very tired. My plan is to get to bed earlier this evening.
The most frustrating thing about my day is that I chose to take this extended down time to call tech support for my e-mail. I have been unable to send messages from my computer since I have been here. I could send and receive from my phone until tech support for my e-mail account changed my password in their efforts to help me. I spent too much time trying to reset the cell phone password, but was finally successful. Now I am back where I started. I can receive e-mail from both my computer and phone, but can only send from my phone. This is a very slow process and I am sending few messages for this reason.
Tomorrow will be a better day. My focus will be back on my work with Trinity. There will be little time to think about computers and cell phones.
We previewed a DVD this evening that will be sent to two different addresses of our choice. It gives people some tips about how best to welcome a new Seeing Eye dog into a family, work place or other group setting. There is also a letter that we can have sent giving a shorter version of the same information.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
JOY! JOY! JOY!
We had our first solo walks today and all are accounted for. They tell us that they have never lost anyone. My partner and I worked doubles for it and we could consult each other about details of the route. It was a good walk. There were some errors, but we could rework them without the help of our trailing instructor. These solo experiences give me the sense that Trinity and I are beginning to become a team.
There are two times each week when we can have visitors. These are Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00. It was a treat for me to visit with friends in the Morris Frank lounge. They pointed out the huge door displayed there. It was brought from the old training center when this building was built. It is very massive with a width of about 5 feet and a height of 8 or more feet by our estimations.
The dogs are more comfortable about their routines and we started touching them in the park area last evening to determine for ourselves if they are doing a one or a two. Once they quit walking and are in position, we work our way along the leash and stroke down the back. If it is straight and slanted down to the tail area, it is a one. If it is rounded, it is a two. Once we determine that a two is coming, we place one foot so that the toes point at the base of the tail. Then we ready our plastic bag over one hand. Once the dog vacates the position, we will find the “treasure” right where the tail was before the dog moved away. If the dog walks, we attempt to place our other foot so that it points at the second spot without moving the other foot. This evening was the first time we actually picked up anything. This is also the first time Trinity has had a two after her afternoon meal and the first time she has not put it all in the same spot. Joy! I am always glad when we can pick up after our dogs. It is then that I can tell for myself how much and of what consistency. Any change and I am aware of it.
We get to sleep in tomorrow morning until 6:30. There will be no walks in town. We could go to church, but we would need to leave our dogs behind at this point. Next Sunday, we will be able to take them with us.
We learned more information about our dogs today. Trinity was born April 9, 2008. She is 19 inches high and weighed 55 pounds when she came into class on Monday. This makes her my smallest dog so far.
There are two times each week when we can have visitors. These are Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00. It was a treat for me to visit with friends in the Morris Frank lounge. They pointed out the huge door displayed there. It was brought from the old training center when this building was built. It is very massive with a width of about 5 feet and a height of 8 or more feet by our estimations.
The dogs are more comfortable about their routines and we started touching them in the park area last evening to determine for ourselves if they are doing a one or a two. Once they quit walking and are in position, we work our way along the leash and stroke down the back. If it is straight and slanted down to the tail area, it is a one. If it is rounded, it is a two. Once we determine that a two is coming, we place one foot so that the toes point at the base of the tail. Then we ready our plastic bag over one hand. Once the dog vacates the position, we will find the “treasure” right where the tail was before the dog moved away. If the dog walks, we attempt to place our other foot so that it points at the second spot without moving the other foot. This evening was the first time we actually picked up anything. This is also the first time Trinity has had a two after her afternoon meal and the first time she has not put it all in the same spot. Joy! I am always glad when we can pick up after our dogs. It is then that I can tell for myself how much and of what consistency. Any change and I am aware of it.
We get to sleep in tomorrow morning until 6:30. There will be no walks in town. We could go to church, but we would need to leave our dogs behind at this point. Next Sunday, we will be able to take them with us.
We learned more information about our dogs today. Trinity was born April 9, 2008. She is 19 inches high and weighed 55 pounds when she came into class on Monday. This makes her my smallest dog so far.
Friday, June 25, 2010
ONE WEEK
It was, perhaps, a few degrees cooler today, but we did the morning and the afternoon route as we did yesterday afternoon (two blocks short). My partner and I did it today with very little help from our instructor. We took turns leading the blocks and both managed to get back to the lounge. Tomorrow morning, we will do it solo. This means that we can still work together with each of us leading successive blocks, but the instructor will not give any input unless there is a safety issue involved. In other words, if our dogs take us into a parking lot and get us totally turned around, we will have to figure out our own way out by asking someone or just using our wits. The trainer will be following in silence. I don’t believe they have ever lost anyone on these.
Next week we will be presented with a longer walk, learn it as we did this one, and then go solo on it. I believe there are three successively harder routes to accomplish before we do free lance work.
Some students really stress about these solo walks, but I like to do them. They give me confidence that this new dog and I can work together. The purpose is for the trainers to see what we need to work on in the future.
We had an interesting talk about senses of our dogs. There sense of smell is so very much better than we have as is their hearing. They have about 250 degrees vision whereas we have 180 degrees meaning that they can see farther behind them on either side. The sense of touch is also very important in their world.
I haven’t mentioned the food. It is delicious. There is always a main dish and a salad option. The salad fixin’s could also be made into a sandwich. If all else fails, they can make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
We are responsible for our own laundry, but the dorm staff takes care of cleaning our rooms and changing and making the beds. We must keep our stuff picked up. Our dogs need to have the rooms puppy proof as they are still very young and we have yet to see how well behaved they are in a house. They have been kenneled for the past 4 months, and we are dependent on the good work of the puppy raisers for their house manners among other things. That is why they don’t yet have freedom in the room but are either on leash or on tie down at this stage.
I have been thinking about all those dogs that were in the basement in their vans and how very quiet they were. The trainer said that the van doors were open and they could se us coming and going. Each trainer takes half his or her string into town in the morning and works with them. Then in the afternoon, the other half go into town. As I understand it, there is lots of supervised group play time for those that are back in the kennels on campus--not in town. There are instructor assistants and other kennel staff who also care for the dogs besides the trainers.
There are some people working through the training process and are considered apprentices. They observe other trainers as they work with us something like student teaching. Gradually, they take increased responsibility for the dog training and class process under the watchful eye of an experienced trainer.
Trinity was due for a shot at the vet and the trainer took her thair during the lecture. I really missed her in those few minutes away. I think she was glad to have a little time with him again.
Next week we will be presented with a longer walk, learn it as we did this one, and then go solo on it. I believe there are three successively harder routes to accomplish before we do free lance work.
Some students really stress about these solo walks, but I like to do them. They give me confidence that this new dog and I can work together. The purpose is for the trainers to see what we need to work on in the future.
We had an interesting talk about senses of our dogs. There sense of smell is so very much better than we have as is their hearing. They have about 250 degrees vision whereas we have 180 degrees meaning that they can see farther behind them on either side. The sense of touch is also very important in their world.
I haven’t mentioned the food. It is delicious. There is always a main dish and a salad option. The salad fixin’s could also be made into a sandwich. If all else fails, they can make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
We are responsible for our own laundry, but the dorm staff takes care of cleaning our rooms and changing and making the beds. We must keep our stuff picked up. Our dogs need to have the rooms puppy proof as they are still very young and we have yet to see how well behaved they are in a house. They have been kenneled for the past 4 months, and we are dependent on the good work of the puppy raisers for their house manners among other things. That is why they don’t yet have freedom in the room but are either on leash or on tie down at this stage.
I have been thinking about all those dogs that were in the basement in their vans and how very quiet they were. The trainer said that the van doors were open and they could se us coming and going. Each trainer takes half his or her string into town in the morning and works with them. Then in the afternoon, the other half go into town. As I understand it, there is lots of supervised group play time for those that are back in the kennels on campus--not in town. There are instructor assistants and other kennel staff who also care for the dogs besides the trainers.
There are some people working through the training process and are considered apprentices. They observe other trainers as they work with us something like student teaching. Gradually, they take increased responsibility for the dog training and class process under the watchful eye of an experienced trainer.
Trinity was due for a shot at the vet and the trainer took her thair during the lecture. I really missed her in those few minutes away. I think she was glad to have a little time with him again.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Not All Work
The basic daily framework stays the same. Today, we worked a bit longer route. Instead of going up one side of the street and down the other, we did a rectangular pattern with one long leg being on a busier street with businesses along it and increased traffic. They increase the challenges each day. Today, along the route, we had three cones setting up a barricade for the dogs to work around. A training supervisor did a traffic check with each dog. For Trinity and me, he turned into a driveway we were approaching and we had to stop for him as he blocked our path. There were two instructor assistants stationed along the route with dogs on leashes and bells on their collar so that we could hear them as we approached. Trinity did well with all these challenges. She started to take interest in the first dog, but needed only a verbal command to get her attention back on her work. She was great with the cones and the traffic check except that she wanted to take the opportunity to relieve herself on the grass this afternoon. Her plan was thwarted.
Our afternoon walk was shortened by two blocks due to the heat. The thermometer read 90 degrees. Some of the other dogs wore the boots given yesterday, but our trainer felt it was not too hot yet. Most of our work was in the shade. Our trainer took the two of us who had worked doubles again to the basement of the lounge following our afternoon walk. There was a wading pool set up there for the dogs in various stages of training to enjoy after a work out during hot weather. Our guides liked splashing in the few inches of water. This helped to cool them down, but there wasn’t enough to wet their tummies. The trainer explained that there is space for more than twenty vans to park in the basement of the lounge with each one having space for 10 dogs. Here the dogs rest in air-conditioning while waiting for their turn to go out with the trainers. These are the dogs that are not yet class ready. With all those dogs down there, we heard no barking.
When we got up stairs, we learned that the teams that went out after us got caught in a down pour. We had not heard the thunder that went with that. On the way back to the campus, though, the driver said the streets had steam rising from them due to the heat and the rain.
Besides the fun of splashing in the pool today, each of the dogs was given a cong this evening. Trinity really likes it. She was bouncing it all around in our room after the last park. She still is on leash all the time when not on tie down in the room, so her play is somewhat restricted for now.
It is nice to be able to work the dogs in the dorm. It makes getting around much easier than healing them. The trainers did not have to walk with us tonight. They station themselves along the hall to see that all goes well and there are no traffic jams.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
BUILDING DAILY
This morning started at 5:30 as previously described. On our morning work in town, another student in our small group and I walked doubles with our instructor. This means that he takes us both out at the same time and we take turns leading for a block. Some dogs are very competitive and don’t like following. They try to charge ahead. Others don’t like to lead. Both our dogs were patient when following and were able to take the lead. Good news. At this stage it is still easy for them to not stop for curbs. Trinity wants to relieve herself in harness and we need to work on this.
They chose against going out this afternoon as it promised to be in the 90’s. Instead, we had a lecture on the history of the school and the new things that have been happening in recent years that are new since some of us have been here.
This is the day that they showed us how to use the laundry facilities. It was the day for me because I was running low on things to wear. I did my first load of clothes before dinner.
After those instructions, the trainers came around to show us how to do the basic obedience routine that will become our daily practice. There are times in the working of our dogs that they must disobey us for our safety. Doing daily obedience establishes that we are the pack leader. This has a direct effect on their guide work.
We were also issued dog boots to wear when sidewalks are hot or in icy weather where salt may be hard on their pads. We will be ready tomorrow if it is hot.
After the afternoon feeding and park, the trainers came to each of our rooms to walk with us to the dining room. Our dogs were in harness in the dorm for the first time and they worked down there. They are now familiar with the dorm and the routine. They are a little more settled. I think Trinity was very proud of herself. Her tail was wagging enthusiastically as we returned to our room after dinner. Once she turned and looked back at me and ran herself into something along the way. Oops!
After dinner there was an optional session for those of us who are returning for new dogs. It was to talk specifically about transitioning between dogs and the grief that comes with it. It lasted for about an hour and a half.
Still there is daily grooming and listening to those mp3 articles, lots of them. We are busy here.
They chose against going out this afternoon as it promised to be in the 90’s. Instead, we had a lecture on the history of the school and the new things that have been happening in recent years that are new since some of us have been here.
This is the day that they showed us how to use the laundry facilities. It was the day for me because I was running low on things to wear. I did my first load of clothes before dinner.
After those instructions, the trainers came around to show us how to do the basic obedience routine that will become our daily practice. There are times in the working of our dogs that they must disobey us for our safety. Doing daily obedience establishes that we are the pack leader. This has a direct effect on their guide work.
We were also issued dog boots to wear when sidewalks are hot or in icy weather where salt may be hard on their pads. We will be ready tomorrow if it is hot.
After the afternoon feeding and park, the trainers came to each of our rooms to walk with us to the dining room. Our dogs were in harness in the dorm for the first time and they worked down there. They are now familiar with the dorm and the routine. They are a little more settled. I think Trinity was very proud of herself. Her tail was wagging enthusiastically as we returned to our room after dinner. Once she turned and looked back at me and ran herself into something along the way. Oops!
After dinner there was an optional session for those of us who are returning for new dogs. It was to talk specifically about transitioning between dogs and the grief that comes with it. It lasted for about an hour and a half.
Still there is daily grooming and listening to those mp3 articles, lots of them. We are busy here.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
OFF TO WORK WE GO
I woke at 5:20, just before we were wakened by the trainers. Trinity seemed to have a good night. She was tail-wagging ready whenever she thought I might be ready to get up during the night though.
You need to know that the schedule here is very rigidly prescribed and with good reason. It is difficult to describe, but they have been doing it long enough that they certainly know what works. Things run very smoothly.
After they present us with the food pans, for example, and the dogs finish eating, we all give two measured cups of water and then go out to park. As we leave our rooms, we are careful to keep our distance from other teams. At the stairs, for example, one person has their dog sit at the top of the flight. The next cannot take that position until the first has reached the next landing and has their dog at sit. Once the first person starts down the second flight, the first can give the heel command to go down the first flight to the landing. Once at the relief area, the trainers are stationed to give verbal instructions so that we each can carve out a space far enough from other dogs to avoid initiation of any canine games. Then we hear various names being called: “Joleen you have a one!” Their voices ring out until all canines have done what they have come to do or until they have made it clear that it will not happen on that park time. There is also the sound of shovels as trainers scoop the solid leavings.
The same care is taken when we go to meals or out for trips. We wait until our team is called so that there are not traffic jams in the hall. The dogs have begun working in harness when in town, but not in the dorm at this time. We heal them, and we don’t use our canes.
We began working with the gentle leader when going to meals today. Trinity heals rather well with or without the Gentle Leader. My left shoulder likes this very much.
On our first walk in town, the trainer snapped a long leash to her collar much like the extra controls of a driver training car. She did well enough, though, that by this afternoon, we no longer needed it. The trainer was directly behind my right shoulder this afternoon and tapped me on the shoulder if he saw that she would not stop for the upcoming curb. She knows what to do with him, but I am much shorter and my pace is different. She needs to generalize what he has taught her to when I am holding the harness. It was a very quiet route today going up one side of Maple and back on the other.
As we sit and wait in the lounge, it is the time when we work on having our dogs lie quietly at our feet. There are different types of seating and this gives us practice for different settings.
The three lectures today were on various topics. The first was an enactment of corrections; the second centered on dog fears and how to work with them; and an this evening there was an optional lecture on clicker training.
It was another busy day. Trinity is calmer at rest this evening at her place as I write. It seems that I am adjusting to the time difference and to the humidity as well.
You need to know that the schedule here is very rigidly prescribed and with good reason. It is difficult to describe, but they have been doing it long enough that they certainly know what works. Things run very smoothly.
After they present us with the food pans, for example, and the dogs finish eating, we all give two measured cups of water and then go out to park. As we leave our rooms, we are careful to keep our distance from other teams. At the stairs, for example, one person has their dog sit at the top of the flight. The next cannot take that position until the first has reached the next landing and has their dog at sit. Once the first person starts down the second flight, the first can give the heel command to go down the first flight to the landing. Once at the relief area, the trainers are stationed to give verbal instructions so that we each can carve out a space far enough from other dogs to avoid initiation of any canine games. Then we hear various names being called: “Joleen you have a one!” Their voices ring out until all canines have done what they have come to do or until they have made it clear that it will not happen on that park time. There is also the sound of shovels as trainers scoop the solid leavings.
The same care is taken when we go to meals or out for trips. We wait until our team is called so that there are not traffic jams in the hall. The dogs have begun working in harness when in town, but not in the dorm at this time. We heal them, and we don’t use our canes.
We began working with the gentle leader when going to meals today. Trinity heals rather well with or without the Gentle Leader. My left shoulder likes this very much.
On our first walk in town, the trainer snapped a long leash to her collar much like the extra controls of a driver training car. She did well enough, though, that by this afternoon, we no longer needed it. The trainer was directly behind my right shoulder this afternoon and tapped me on the shoulder if he saw that she would not stop for the upcoming curb. She knows what to do with him, but I am much shorter and my pace is different. She needs to generalize what he has taught her to when I am holding the harness. It was a very quiet route today going up one side of Maple and back on the other.
As we sit and wait in the lounge, it is the time when we work on having our dogs lie quietly at our feet. There are different types of seating and this gives us practice for different settings.
The three lectures today were on various topics. The first was an enactment of corrections; the second centered on dog fears and how to work with them; and an this evening there was an optional lecture on clicker training.
It was another busy day. Trinity is calmer at rest this evening at her place as I write. It seems that I am adjusting to the time difference and to the humidity as well.
Monday, June 21, 2010
TRINITY
She is a three in one dog—wags, wiggles, and licks. We will learn her age and weight later, but for today, she is a bundle of energy, very affectionate and very responsive. She is almost white with her ears and back and tip of her tail being light gold.
Our afternoon was taken with waiting to be called out one by one to meet our new partners. We each went back to our rooms and started the bonding process. Whereas my three first dogs had eyes only for the door of the room and ears for the beloved trainer, Sydney and this one busied themselves getting to know the new person at the other end of the leash. That is not to say that she ignores her trainer when she sees him. Nothing of the kind, she tries to get to him, but this is totally normal at this stage.
After all dogs were distributed to their new people, we were taken out to the leisure path, one by one with our trainers for our first work in harness. It is a half mile walk. Trinity was eager to go. Her pace is very different from Sydney. It was very hot and humid but a good walk for our first time together.
There was another short meeting about feeding and relieving routines and then they brought food pans around to our rooms. The dogs ate and we took them out to park. Trinity in true lab fashion wasted no time in polishing her dish.
There was then dinner for us and then we went down in two groups to the grooming room. The dogs are really shedding due in part to the baths each had this morning.
The last water and park time each night is 8:00. There, Trinity showed us her stuff. That is how I spell relief. 5:30 comes very early tomorrow.
Our afternoon was taken with waiting to be called out one by one to meet our new partners. We each went back to our rooms and started the bonding process. Whereas my three first dogs had eyes only for the door of the room and ears for the beloved trainer, Sydney and this one busied themselves getting to know the new person at the other end of the leash. That is not to say that she ignores her trainer when she sees him. Nothing of the kind, she tries to get to him, but this is totally normal at this stage.
After all dogs were distributed to their new people, we were taken out to the leisure path, one by one with our trainers for our first work in harness. It is a half mile walk. Trinity was eager to go. Her pace is very different from Sydney. It was very hot and humid but a good walk for our first time together.
There was another short meeting about feeding and relieving routines and then they brought food pans around to our rooms. The dogs ate and we took them out to park. Trinity in true lab fashion wasted no time in polishing her dish.
There was then dinner for us and then we went down in two groups to the grooming room. The dogs are really shedding due in part to the baths each had this morning.
The last water and park time each night is 8:00. There, Trinity showed us her stuff. That is how I spell relief. 5:30 comes very early tomorrow.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
WAITING--WAITING--WAITING
We were able to sleep in until 7:00 this morning. I had not slept well and was up at 6:00. There are intercoms in each room and they use them to play music to wake us up before coming around to each of us to be sure it was successful.
8:00 Breakfast
8:50 Gather to load into the vans for the new training lounge down town.
Each of the five trainers is responsible for four students. We ride together in separate vans and it is like five small classes within the larger class of twenty when we all gather for lectures and meetings.
Once we were established in the lounge, I was first to go out with my trainer and was back in the lounge by 9:30. New since my last training is the rectangle used to act as the Juno harness. The trainer holds one end and the student the other. The trainer can stand erect and walk judging pace and pull of each of us. He knows his string of dogs and is calculating our needs. He also checks to see how we each judge traffic to cross streets. It was very hot and humid already when I went out. Once I was back at the lounge, I visited with others there until my trainer had taken each of us for the prescribed walk. Streets were quiet this morning. Once all were back, we then returned to the vans and back to the campus.
There was a talk about seeing this experience from the perspective of the dog. Although we are waiting with eager anticipation, the dogs have no thought of changing their allegiance. Not only are we different, we are less adept at giving commands and following their body language. We are more apt to step on feet and tails.
We were each given an MP3 player with many interesting audio files, articles about the History of dogs used as guides, research being done in genetics and behavior, and much more. I have only scratched the surface of this information. The player is slightly larger than a thumb drive and fits easily into a pocket for easy reference in down times. It is for our use while in class and available for purchase at a very reasonable price.
We went to lunch at 1:00 today and at 2:00 we gathered in various places with our small groups. The trainers brought sample dogs for us to practice having them lie quietly at our feet. They were glad to be out of their kennels and more willing to play than to stay. We had turns with a German shepherd, a yellow lab, and a large golden. This activity took much of the afternoon. It also included instructions in proper fit of the Gentle Leader, a head halter for the dog.
Then there was free time until dinner. I took the opportunity to begin listening to some of the mp3 files.
Dinner was at 5:15 and the lecture this evening was at 7:30. We were given an overview of the schedule for the next few days and general instructions in feeding, watering, and parking our new charges. We were given additional items including a mutt mat for the dog to lie on and a large Nylabone. These also came with instructions for proper introduction and use with the dogs. Next there was an optional social time to help us get better acquainted.
There is a gradual build up to the big event tomorrow. After another Juno walk in the morning, and some additional lecture time before lunch, we will gather in our rooms in the afternoon to wait to be called out one by one to meat our new partners and to return to our room to begin the bonding process. No phone calls! Once the dogs are given to each of us, we are taken out on the leisure path one on one here on campus for our initial working experience with our new guides. This is a quiet place to begin.
They tell us that we can sleep in again tomorrow morning, this time they will wake us at 6:00.
8:00 Breakfast
8:50 Gather to load into the vans for the new training lounge down town.
Each of the five trainers is responsible for four students. We ride together in separate vans and it is like five small classes within the larger class of twenty when we all gather for lectures and meetings.
Once we were established in the lounge, I was first to go out with my trainer and was back in the lounge by 9:30. New since my last training is the rectangle used to act as the Juno harness. The trainer holds one end and the student the other. The trainer can stand erect and walk judging pace and pull of each of us. He knows his string of dogs and is calculating our needs. He also checks to see how we each judge traffic to cross streets. It was very hot and humid already when I went out. Once I was back at the lounge, I visited with others there until my trainer had taken each of us for the prescribed walk. Streets were quiet this morning. Once all were back, we then returned to the vans and back to the campus.
There was a talk about seeing this experience from the perspective of the dog. Although we are waiting with eager anticipation, the dogs have no thought of changing their allegiance. Not only are we different, we are less adept at giving commands and following their body language. We are more apt to step on feet and tails.
We were each given an MP3 player with many interesting audio files, articles about the History of dogs used as guides, research being done in genetics and behavior, and much more. I have only scratched the surface of this information. The player is slightly larger than a thumb drive and fits easily into a pocket for easy reference in down times. It is for our use while in class and available for purchase at a very reasonable price.
We went to lunch at 1:00 today and at 2:00 we gathered in various places with our small groups. The trainers brought sample dogs for us to practice having them lie quietly at our feet. They were glad to be out of their kennels and more willing to play than to stay. We had turns with a German shepherd, a yellow lab, and a large golden. This activity took much of the afternoon. It also included instructions in proper fit of the Gentle Leader, a head halter for the dog.
Then there was free time until dinner. I took the opportunity to begin listening to some of the mp3 files.
Dinner was at 5:15 and the lecture this evening was at 7:30. We were given an overview of the schedule for the next few days and general instructions in feeding, watering, and parking our new charges. We were given additional items including a mutt mat for the dog to lie on and a large Nylabone. These also came with instructions for proper introduction and use with the dogs. Next there was an optional social time to help us get better acquainted.
There is a gradual build up to the big event tomorrow. After another Juno walk in the morning, and some additional lecture time before lunch, we will gather in our rooms in the afternoon to wait to be called out one by one to meat our new partners and to return to our room to begin the bonding process. No phone calls! Once the dogs are given to each of us, we are taken out on the leisure path one on one here on campus for our initial working experience with our new guides. This is a quiet place to begin.
They tell us that we can sleep in again tomorrow morning, this time they will wake us at 6:00.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
THE GATHERING PLACE
Within the past few days, 20 of us packed our bags and set out on a journey. Coming from Canada, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Washington; we all gathered at the common lounge at 7:30.
Meanwhile, some 50 dogs expect everything to stay the same as it has for the past four months or more. Each of them had come from the homes of their puppy raisers and the loss and separation from their beloved families has dissipated and they have come to love and trust their trainers and kennel staff. Whereas we people, who left our busy lives to join in this adventure, are excited about this 3-4 week experience, the dogs have no excitement or anticipation of how their lives will soon change again for ever. They may be wondering why their trainers have been absent for the past few days. There will soon be baths to be given for twenty of them by kennel staff, and this will cause a flurry of new activity in the kennel area.
Five trainers, turned instructors, have been reviewing their notes, pondering their canine pupils, and studying each student. This is certain to be a busy month for them. As students arrived today, there were introductions all round, there were tours of the dorm, and lots of questions to be asked and answered on all sides. Each student got busy unpacking and learning or reviewing the floor plan of the dorm. There were Juno Walks with instructors acting as dogs. Trainers took each student in turn to assess pace and pull needs of each one to be matched with the available string of dogs. The nurse on duty was also asking questions and getting to know each of us before the dinner hour.
Then there was the first group meeting in the Common Lounge. There are high school graduates heading for college, some are employed, and others are retired. It is a diverse group from a wide cross section of society. It is a unique mix that is very common as a similar theme replays itself monthly with different comers, different instructors, and different dogs. So it has gone for 80 years at the Seeing Eye.
This evening we were informed of the house rules and given a rundown of the schedule for the next few days. We were each issued the first of a steady stream of equipment: dog comb, dog brush, tie down, and leash. We were given instructions in the various ways to configure the leash for three different lengths depending on the situation we will encounter with our dogs.
As was described to us this evening, this promises to be a roller costar ride as we learn the individual characteristics of our specific partners. Some days things will go very well. Other days will bring challenges and each of us will be on our own schedule for these emotional highs and lows. Check back often for updates.
Meanwhile, some 50 dogs expect everything to stay the same as it has for the past four months or more. Each of them had come from the homes of their puppy raisers and the loss and separation from their beloved families has dissipated and they have come to love and trust their trainers and kennel staff. Whereas we people, who left our busy lives to join in this adventure, are excited about this 3-4 week experience, the dogs have no excitement or anticipation of how their lives will soon change again for ever. They may be wondering why their trainers have been absent for the past few days. There will soon be baths to be given for twenty of them by kennel staff, and this will cause a flurry of new activity in the kennel area.
Five trainers, turned instructors, have been reviewing their notes, pondering their canine pupils, and studying each student. This is certain to be a busy month for them. As students arrived today, there were introductions all round, there were tours of the dorm, and lots of questions to be asked and answered on all sides. Each student got busy unpacking and learning or reviewing the floor plan of the dorm. There were Juno Walks with instructors acting as dogs. Trainers took each student in turn to assess pace and pull needs of each one to be matched with the available string of dogs. The nurse on duty was also asking questions and getting to know each of us before the dinner hour.
Then there was the first group meeting in the Common Lounge. There are high school graduates heading for college, some are employed, and others are retired. It is a diverse group from a wide cross section of society. It is a unique mix that is very common as a similar theme replays itself monthly with different comers, different instructors, and different dogs. So it has gone for 80 years at the Seeing Eye.
This evening we were informed of the house rules and given a rundown of the schedule for the next few days. We were each issued the first of a steady stream of equipment: dog comb, dog brush, tie down, and leash. We were given instructions in the various ways to configure the leash for three different lengths depending on the situation we will encounter with our dogs.
As was described to us this evening, this promises to be a roller costar ride as we learn the individual characteristics of our specific partners. Some days things will go very well. Other days will bring challenges and each of us will be on our own schedule for these emotional highs and lows. Check back often for updates.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
NEW BEGINNINGS
When a guide vacates a harness, it brings floods of emotion weather by retirement or by death. In my case,
I have gone to NJ to train in February where wind chill temperatures dipped into the sub zero temperatures, sometimes 15 below 0.
Now, I anticipate the very hot days of June and July.
Many have asked me what happened to Sydney. She has gone to live with a new family in Denver, CO. All reports are that she is having a wonderful time with her new people and with her golden friend Cleo. She and Cleo knew each other in their years of guiding because her person and I were friends. The two greeted each other in a way that it was clear that they remembered and loved each other upon their Colorado reunion. Now we are all related as she and Cleo are living with the brother-in-law of my friend.
The next thing that people want to know is about my new dog. The fact is that they have told me nothing. They train Goldens, Labs, and Shepherds and some golden lab crosses. There are few shepherds in the June class, so it is unlikely that I will be partnered with that breed. They likely have more than one potential match for me because one never knows when something could happen to any dog that would cause it to be career changed at any stage of the training process. Males and females are equally suited for guide work.
Many have suggested that I am going to pick up my new dog. The fact is that the training process for me is three weeks as I have had dogs from this school before. First-time students complete four weeks of training. This is after the dogs have already trained with professional trainers for four months. Even from earliest puppyhood, though, they were raised differently from most other dogs. The puppy raisers work at exposing their charges to as many life experiences as possible. They teach them good house manners and actually attend classes with other raisers and plan group events to include the puppies. Prospective guides learn to rest quietly at the feet of their people and on the floor of the car. They learn to sleep by the bed of the raiser. Great care is taken with the puppies from birth onward. When they reach about 16-18 months of age, they return to the school for formal training with professional trainers. Then we go into class and the trainers, turned instructors, choose from their 4-footed pupils the dog best suited for each of us including life style, city or rural living, children or other pets, and on it goes. Pace and pull are important factors to be considered.
I would be very glad for you to follow me on this journey. Some important dates to watch for include the following:
June 19 Class begins
June 21 Dog Day. That is if their schedule has not changed from my last class in September of 2001
July 8 Return Home with my new partner
We will begin our work together on the quiet, residential streets of Morris Town and, before coming home, we will hit the streets of New York City. We will have traveled on busses and subways, trains, vans and cars. We will have walked on routes with sidewalks and on rural roads without curbs or sidewalks. We will work in buildings and shopping centers.
I plan to give you as much information as seems appropriate without taking lots of time writing as my primary focus must be on my dog and not on a computer. If you ask questions, I may choose to answer them in my next post so that others who may be wondering about the same thing can benefit by your questions.
I want to thank Vivian and her friend Danielle for setting up this blog site for me. Vivian will also be supporting me by posting my messages if I am having difficulty with this unfamiliar process.
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