A BUSY TWO WEEKS

Training guide dogs has always been based on praise for correct behavior and various levels of correction for communicating wrong behavior or responses. In this way, the new methods are not different, they are just giving a more clear indication of what is good behavior. Whereas we used to use our tone of voice and physical praise, we now include a food treat along with the other two. No doubt this is even more desirable and meaningful for the dog. We are providing a piece of kibble whenever the dogs make good choices. This motivates them to do more of what is expected--less need for corrections.

We began with heeling in the hall going to meals and back to our rooms. "Heel." take a few steps and stop to offer a treat. Soon we could take a few more steps between treats. We did this for the first few days, before we were cleared to work our dogs in harness inside the dorm. As a result, I have a dog that can or does heel with a slack leash when going sighted guide.

Our day begins early as we are to feed, water and relieve our dogs at 7:00. we now use our patios outside our rooms from the beginning. Mensa seems to know what is expected of her and goes quickly each time. There is now no standing in line in the hall to file out one by one to relieve our dogs as there has always been for me before.

This is the first time that there are no chimes or bells to call us to meals or to lectures. The telephone system gives us the schedule for the following day and we are expected to be there. This is also my first experience where the dog food is kept in my room. Each day, we do go down the hall to exchange the previous day's dish for a clean one.

Breakfast for us is 7:30. Usually, we have then met in the Fireplace room at 8:30. Often there has been a lecture/discussion with questions that we were given on the phone system the previous evening. Following this or just before it, e relieve our dogs again. We next go by GDB bus or in vans depending on the circumstances. Most early street work has been in Gresham. Initially, the trainers were with us holding a long leash attached to our dog's collar. By the first Wednesday afternoon, they disconnected the long leash giving us full control of our dogs. They stayed just behind our right shoulder giving cues for best practice.

From time to time, Wheeler and Juno returned for us to work on specific gestures and foot work as needed.

We spend most of the day at the Gresham GDB lounge or Portland GDB lounge while each one has a turn working along the streets with a trainer. The distances are too far to shuttle us back and forth. Lunches are prepared and eaten at the lounges.

Trips have included quiet streets, busier city routs, stores, elevators, escalators for those who will need to use them, and trips with or without sidewalks. We have ridden a city bus and a train. There are specific ways to handle our dogs in each of these scenarios.

We have had lectures and discussions with hands-on experience on every aspect of the work and care of our dogs including feeding, grooming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, using appropriate toys during play with our dogs and administering the monthly flee protection. We have worked on obedience with various distractions: cats, dogs playing with squeaky toys, people wanting to pet the dog, a cat, food, and other things. We have worked around barricades, and we have had planned car encounters where our training supervisor came at us from all directions in a car as we passed driveways and crossed streets. Mensa did very well with all of this.

There has usually been a discussion before dinner after returning to the dorm. Sometimes there halve been evening meetings as well.

With all this, our class has had more weather issues than anyone can remember. We have worked the dogs with a wind chill in the teens. Two days last week, we could not go off campus due to a storm. Yesterday and this morning we were also unable to leave campus. Some did go to the mall this afternoon.

All in all it has been a rather stressful and busy time for all of us. It has been hard work and very rewarding. Everyone has been so very helpful and supportive.

Tomorrow is graduation and one of Mensa's puppy raisers is planning to come from San Francisco to officially present my dog to me as part of the service. When puppy raisers are not able to be here, a staff person steps in for this. There will also be tours and a demonstration of guide work done by a trainer for the guests. Then two teams will be leaving for home. Four of us will be flying out on Sunday morning.