Five days with the girls / A vignette in five parts

My sister Anne was invited to Mexico by a group of her friends. How could she say no? I agreed to come with FLD Dutch and stay with Elaina, Sofia and Natalie while she got a much-needed vacation.

Oh, and Rosie, too.

We had a mah-vel-ous time, with lots of new experiences for Dutch. I can only hope that he did NOT teach Rosie how to open her crate...

Rosie looks up at me from her crate as if to say, "Really? I have to share it with him?"

PART ONE

Leader Dogs for the Blind

I like to catch two puppies with one treat. The first thing I did when I arrived in the city was to stop by the Leader Dogs vet clinic so Dutch could get his last set of puppy shots. Upon examination Dr. Wilson noticed some shards left from the molar my local vet extracted a week or so before; a molar on the opposite side looked suspicious.

FLD Dutch got an unexpected overnight in Puppy Land.

Dr. Wilson took his leash and Dutch bounced away without a glance back. The next day she removed the shards and a few other baby teeth that were about ready to fall out. The other molar was fine. I picked him up that afternoon.

A happy Dutch is ready for anything. Rosie--not so much.

Parts 2-5 of this city adventure to come. Stay tuned to learn why I was worried about Dutch showing Rosie how to escape her crate...

 

Road trip!

FLD Dutch traveled downstate with me this past weekend. Everything is "new" for puppies, but this trip proved to be filled with exceptionally new experiences for the little guy. Okay, he is not so little--16.9 lbs at weigh-in for his second round of shots at Leader Dogs for the Blind.

For instance, Dutch attended our family's annual cookie bake. Here he is sitting for my niece, Zoey, who had trouble saying his name.

Zoey learned that whenever she called "Dutz" he came running for her! (It might have been the kibble she clenched in her tiny fist.)

What a giggle erupted after a surprise puppy kiss!

FLD Dutch also hung out at Anderson Music during my niece Elaina's French Horn lesson. His head tilt was the epitome of "My Master's Voice" as her notes came pouring through the bottom crack of the door.

Later, he wasn't too sure about the music that came out of Natalie's tuba.

What's in there?

Whoa! What was that?!

Natalie prepares to toot her tuba. Cc'd Rosie looks over as if to say, "This is going to be good!"

One toot later and FLD Dutch is hiding in the corner.

Sofia coaxes Dutch out of the corner. He peeks around the horn case to see if everything is okay.

Rosie says to Dutch, "It's okay pup, don't be afraid, it's just a lot of air!"

Natalie lets Dutch check out the tuba.

Guess this big old horn isn't so bad after all!

Winter Break - Take 4 Rosie gets run over

Rosie lies on the living room rug working away on a previously-chewed Nylabone. FLD Scout wanders over, eases into a down, and faces Rosie.

Rosie immediately lets loose the Nylabone; it hits the floor with a muffled thud. Rosie gazes at Scout, who glares intently back at her.

Two black Labs lie sphinx-like in a nose-to-nose, mirror image stare down.

Hey, look at Scout and Rosie, I say to the girls and Andy, all of us lounging around on our comfortable couches. (I think the girls like that we ordered DishNet TV.) My mention of their two names does not cause either to look away. It's a wonder our five pairs of watching eyes doesn't break the spell.

Do I hear our clock strike the quarter hour and then the half? It seems that long, before...

We startle when Scout strikes like a snake to snatch the Nylabone from between Rosie's paws, but Rosie barely flinches.

Scout and Rosie's clacking teeth might be intimidating to those not familiar with dog behavior. But they really are playing!

Gus gets into the act the next morning.

"Rosie, come on, let's go!"

"No, not THAT way--over here!"

Winter Break - Take 2 Haiku

winter break in the "patch"

girls sleep in too long

black Lab alarm clock trio

brings the dead to life

Sofia and Elaina are up before Natalie. They decide she's had enough sleep and send the pups downstairs.

Natalie doesn't know what hit her. Scout howls "Get up!"

Gus and Elaina report, "Mission accomplished!"

Winter Break - Take 1

On a crispy winter-break morning, Elaina said, "I'm going for a run. It's conditioning for soccer." Natalie wanted to run with her. I said, Why don't you take Rosie?

 

Sofia said, "I'll walk," and agreed to take Gus. He's a very good walker, I told her.

 

I came along with FLD Scout, who, on this particular morning, wasn't a very good walker.

 

I don't think she liked seeing Rosie leave us in the dust.

 

Sporting a white and black panda hat, Sofia and Gus wait for me and FLD Scout.

 

It is exactly one mile from our house on the top of the hill south to Wiltse Road. Elaina, Nat, and Rosie were a half-mile gone before I caught up to Sofia and Gus, who waited patiently for me to walk Scout backwards every time she put tension on the leash.

 

FLD Scout and I never made it all the way to Wiltse Road.

Elaina smiles, in spite of her hill effort coming back from Wiltse Road.

 

Elaina came charging up the first hill on her return mile. Natalie trudged behind with Rosie. There are no hills like these in their downstate suburban neighborhood.

 

My nieces lead the way...it's uphill home, from every direction!

 

FLD Scout and I turned homeward--I figured with all my backwards-walking I got the distance in.

Go on ahead, I said to Sofia and Natalie. We'll get there.

 

Eventually.

 

My three nieces (and Rosie) came north with Andy when he came home from downstate business one Sunday night in February. Their mom, my sister Anne, would be up later in the week to spend a couple of relaxing days and then drive them back in time for weekend soccer games. Get ready for some picture-tales of our fun-filled week!

A Puppy-Raiser's Achievement

The 5th Assistance Dog Blog Carnival (ABDC) is hosted this quarter by Cindy Otty on her blog, Gentle Wit.

The topic is ACHIEVMENT. This post is my submission.

To learn more about the ABDC and find links to all past Carnivals, check out Sharon Wachsler's post about it on her blog, After Gadget. Sharon got this Carnival rolling over a year ago!

A PUPPY-RAISER'S ACHIEVEMENT

What can I achieve as a volunteer puppy-raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind?

The obvious end-result goal is to raise a puppy that graduates from Leader Dogs and is partnered with a handler. But how can I realistically take credit for that? It is the dog's achievement, not mine.

I did not achieve this with my first puppy, Rosie. Rosie made her way through four phases of progressively challenging training levels. She had a "fast" working pace, and when it came time to be paired with a handler, a suitable person could not be found. Not the first time when Rosie was ready. Not the second. Not the third. By then, Rosie had had it--enough was enough and she made the decision to be career-changed.

Did I fail as a puppy-raiser?

ACHIEVEMENT, according to the dictionary, means succeeding in doing something that takes effort. With effort, I was successful in raising a well-behaved, socialized puppy that went through the Leader Dog training program.

But why did that not feel like an achievement? Rosie did not graduate.

And yet. It is impossible for a puppy-raiser to achieve the goal of raising a puppy that will DEFINITELY become a working guide dog. Too many factors can influence that outcome--the dog's core personality and potential; medical issues; the ability of the dog to handle kennel stress while living through the training; the experience of the training team that works with the dog; and even the person at the end-game, anxious to be paired with the dog.

It is a miracle. Really. That suitable teams end up working in the world, that dogs can be trained to assist blind and visually impaired people gain enhanced mobility and independence.

Perhaps I should reevaluate the goal. Instead of raising a puppy to "become a Leader Dog," what if I set my goal to raise a puppy that is READY TO TAKE ON THE NEXT STEP, training at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

But what does "being ready" really mean?

Leader Dogs for the Blind describes three traits that are important in a working guide dog.

1. Soundness
2. Friendliness
3. Happiness

(To read more about these traits, visit my post from March 11, 2011, or Leader Dogs' on-line puppy-raiser application.)

Raising a puppy that exhibits these traits is an achievable goal.

Goal setting, however, is a tricky-thing--achieving one goal often leads to setting another, higher goal. Istn't it just as important (and no small achievement), to raise a puppy that is housebroken, socialized, and able to perform basic obedience commands?

Where does it end?

Fortunately, Leader Dogs for the Blind is establishing "in-for-training" standards to define what "being ready" really means. A work-in-progress, these standards attempt to pinpoint self-control behaviors, obedience skills, and behavioral traits that, if achieved, will prepare a puppy to succeed at the next level.

These standards, then, will be the goal I will shoot for with my puppy. Attaining these standards will be my achievement.

After that, it's up to the puppy.

Hear that, Scout? (FLD Scout, peaking around my leg at a hockey game at Lake Superior State Univserity.)

Tuesday's Training TIP: Whoa, What is THAT?

A recent Monday morning at the Bicegos. Sleepy girls zip their backpacks and munch on toasted bagels before school. 

Nat in the am.

I take FLD Scout out to "park" and decide to help by taking the trash to the curb. Anne has these nice cans that roll, so it's easier than dragging. I grab the trashcan handle and tip it onto its wheels.

FLD Scout balks. As I turn to look at her, the trashcan rumbles forward a few inches. Scout is now writhing at the end of her leash, trying to get away from that GREAT-BIG-SCARY-BEIGE-MONSTER.

Ah-ha! My perfect little puppy is afraid of something. The five-minute job of taking out the trash turns into a 20-minute training session.

What did I do?  I took advantage of the situation. Here's how.

THINGS I DID NOT DO

• I did NOT try to console Scout by saying things in a baby-voice like, "It's ok puppy! I won't let that big bad garbage can hurt you."

• I did NOT let Scout run away.

• I did NOT pick her up and coddle her.

THINGS I DID TO HELP SCOUT GET OVER HER FEAR OF THE ROLLING TRASHCAN

• I stayed calm and confident.  I tipped the trashcan back into place and squatted next to it.

• I re-directed Scout's attention.  I used name recognition to get Scout to look at me. I praised her when she did. I told her to SIT and because I always have puppy food in my pocket, I rewarded her after she sat.

• I gradually re-introduced her to what frightened her.  I touched the trashcan and encouraged Scout to come closer. When she did, I rewarded her with another treat. I touched the trashcan again to get Scout to sniff it. When she did, she got alot of praise and more treats. I stood up and praised Scout when she stayed where she was near the trashcan. I gently tipped the trashcan and moved it slightly. When Scout then backed away, I set the can back and repeated everything. Again. Eventually, Scout stayed close when I tipped the trashcan. I re-directed her again by telling her to SIT. Then I rolled the can back and forth. If she got up, I set the can down and put her back into a SIT. When Scout finally stayed in her SIT when I gently rolled the trashcan, I had a party and she got more treats!

• I rewarded the behavior that I wanted.  Every step of the way, if Scout acted curious, I treated her. If she acted confident, I treated her. If she sat when I commanded her, I treated her.

OKAY! Now you should have the idea. I took BABY STEPS to get Scout used to the trashcan, to learn that it would not hurt her. I GRADUALLY re-introduced her to the can and PRAISED and REWARDED the behavior I wanted. I stayed CALM and CONFIDENT.

YOUR reaction is key! I like to compare this to when a child falls and skins a knee and the startled youngster looks to his or her parent. If the parent freaks out and rushes over, no doubt the child will erupt into tears. If the parent takes a more matter-of-fact approach, or even jokingly yells something like "Safe!" the child might brush him or her self off and not be a drama-star. It is the same thing with your puppy--she will look to you for guidance in how to react. Make it a "no-big-deal" and that is what it will be!

HINTS for taking advantage of a training session.

1. Have puppy-food morsels in your pocket at all times!
2. Learn to recognize a training opportunity. This means paying attention to your puppy and your own reactions.
3. Be calm, patient, and consistent.

Eventually, FLD Scout walked at my side as I rolled the not-so-scary-anymore trashcan down the driveway and out to the curb. In fact, she happily accepted two more rolling trashcans!

Cc'd Rosie next to a tired-out-from-learning FLD Scout.

A Pictoral Post for Thursday, September 8, 2011

FLD Scout, the day we picked her up from Leader Dogs for the Blind.

In one week, FLD Scout...

day 1

 

GAINED 1 1/2 POUNDS

day 7

WAS SPOILED BY MY NIECES

Sitting nice for Elaina and Nat.

Girl paws. Sofia and Scout snuggle it up.

Nose to nose with Natalie on the floor.

 

PLAYED WITH ROSIE

 

Rosie thinks, "Hey, this isn't Gus!"

TRIED TO PLAY WITH GYPSY

FLD Scout checks out Gypsy's stick.

Went out for breakfast and dinner.  Shopped at Meijer's, Krogers, Home Depot, Glen's, and Walmart.  Heeled down Brady Road.

CHASED AFTER GYPSY IN THE WOODS.

FLD Scout, hot on Gypsy's heels.

AND HELPED A 100 LB GOLDENDOODLE TAKE A BATH.

Trying to catch Finn's tail as my brother Jim washes him.

FLD Scout after Finn's bath.

BUT MOST OF ALL,

SHE MADE HERSELF RIGHT AT HOME!

FLD Scout, taking over Gypsy's bed.

(and wormed her way into our hearts)

What FLD Gus DOESN'T Know

Is....

Unknowingly, FLD Gus rests after a walk in the woods.

...within the half-hour, Rosie (and Anne & Co.) will be here!

Shhhhhh.....

Living the DIFFERENCE

The topic for the 4th Assistance Dog Blog Carnival (ADBC), hosted by Kali on her blog Brilliant Mind Broken Body is THE DIFFERENCE.

At first, I was tempted to just include posts I wrote in the past about the differences between the three puppies I've raised for Leader Dogs for the Blind.  (Here are links to them, if you are interested.  FLD Mike vs Rosie, Three Puppy Rookie, and Puppies Three/Pictures.)  Comparing puppies is inevitable, and there are ALWAYS differences.

Nope.  I wanted to focus on something "different."

So I considered submitting a post I wrote last November about how exercise can calm a crazy, energized puppy.  (Again, if you are interested, here is a link:  What a Difference a Walk Makes!)

But I keep coming back to the differences I am living as a result of our move from the city to the country.  Many of these differences are obvious.

NOISE

• City =  LOUD, CONSTANT BACKGROUND NOISE that I really didn't notice until after we moved away and came back for a visit.

• Country = So quiet I can hear a chipmunk rustle in the leaves beneath my window and the mournful cry of a loon in the distance.

TRAFFIC

• City = CONSTANT RUMBLE, EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT and BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

• Country = Last week I heard my sister miss the turn to our road a half a mile away when she drove up with her girls for our family "camp out."

AMBIENT LIGHT

• City =  Even with room-darkening shades in our townhouse bedroom, the outside glowed a frame around the window.

• Country = Except when the moon is full, it doesn't matter if the shades are up or down at night, and I can see the entire Milky Way.

PACE OF LIFE

• City = It is a HUSTLE, BUSTLE, TEEMING dance with the rest of the population.

• Country = We'll get around to it.  Eventually.

Other differences are not so obvious, especially as it relates to things that my Future Leader Dog puppy must experience.

NOISE

Future Leader Dog puppies must be "sound."  They can startle at a sudden noise, but they need to be confident enough to quickly recover and stay on task.

• Taking my puppy for a walk in the city naturally exposes him to many sudden noises:  semi-trucks downshifting, police, ambulance, or fire engine sirens, beeping horns, barking dogs behind fences.

• On a walk down our country road we can hear one car approach from two hills away.  The sudden honk of a goose overhead, or the screech of an eagle may draw my puppy's attention, but he is seldom startled.

TRAFFIC

Future Leader Dog puppies must be comfortable working near heavy traffic and remain calm waiting at a crosswalk at a busy intersection.

• In the city, I could step out our front door with my puppy and encounter heavy traffic in any direction, for as long as we could walk.

• To expose my puppy to traffic here in the county, I must drive over 20 miles to a town with more than one traffic light.  And the nearest sidewalks are 7 miles away.

SOCIALIZATION

Future Leader Dog puppies must not be distracted by, or fearful of strangers.

• City streets are full of diversity, reflected by skin color, clothing styles, age, and attitudes.

• In the country, strangers are few, and perhaps not quite so diverse.

When we first moved to the country, I was anxious that FLD Gus would not get enough exposure to things like traffic and strangers.  A fellow puppy-raiser (who lives in northwest Michigan) reminded me that Gus needs ALL kinds of experiences, and that blind people live in rural areas, too.

Of course, she is right.

FLD Gus started his life in the city, and now is familiar with the country, too.  He has taken it all in stride.

Our next puppy's home base will be here, in the country, where things ARE different.  Knowing this, I will do what I can to assure that puppy #4 is just as well-rounded.

I think I am much less anxious.

Do you think my country environment might have something to do with it?

A recent sunset at our country home.

Excuses, Excuses...

6th Annual
Andersen/Brehler/Bicego Camp

6 dogs + 5 kids + 12 adults = no time to write.

But, what fun!

WORKING

FLD Gus, camp greeter.

Gypsy makes sure Gus gets it right.

FLD Gus waits for the mini-train with grandkids Keegan and Alec at the AuSable Valley Railroad station.  Unfortunately, he isn't allowed to ride the train (!) so he and I hang out with fellow tourists while the rest of the family take a tour.

FLD Gus holds a SIT/STAY for Keegan while Alec hides the stick.  Keegan then gives Gus a "find it" command and Gus races off to find it--again, and again, and again!  Sometimes work is like play.

IT CAN'T BE ALL WORK...

FLD Gus invites Fynn for a wrestle.  Fynn isn't interested.  Gus doesn't know how lucky he is--this picture is deceiving--Fynn is a +100 lb golden-doodle!

However, Rosie IS interested.  Round One, Lab Wrestling--Gus takes her down...

...Round Two, Rosie takes Gus.

Gauge and Odo catch the scent of a chipmunk in the woodpile.  And they're off!

PLAYING WORKS UP AN APPETITE!

Rosie waits patiently for her breakfast "OK!"

FLD Gus on his mat, licking his chops while he waits for dinner.

For dessert?  Sofia eats homemade raspberry pie; Gus chows on his Nylabone.

TIME TO RELAX

The boys, Gauge and Odo, chilling on the porch.

FLD Gus and Natalie pass out on the living room floor.