A day of firsts, part 2

The afternoon of May 18.

FIRST ROLLER RINK

FLD Scout and I have a busy day ahead of us after the 2nd-grade field trip to the high school pool. Next stop, The Skate Place in West Branch to cover a story for the Ogemaw County Voice. This is the day that Rose City Middle School students with good grades and citizenship are rewarded with an afternoon of free skating.

The parking lot is empty except for two buses, but when I open the entrance door the noise of a crowd rolls over us. The owner of the place sits in an office behind a high counter-top window, like he's taking bets on a horse race.

FLD Scout is a good ambassador when I'm out on assignment for the Voice. She puts my interviewees at ease; after a few minutes of explaining what puppy raising for Leader Dogs for the Blind means, they are relaxed and open to my questions. Scout is no different here. Before I know it, the owner introduces me to his wife and the three of us are chatting like we're long-lost friends.

As I'm taking notes (with FLD Scout sitting calmly next to me), a young teen rolls by on one skate, his other leg kicked up trying to counter balance his imminent butt plant. Scout doesn't break her sit. At the last moment, the boy grabs a counter and saves himself. "I've crashed seven times," he says, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

Eventually I break away from the owners to interview Mr. Erickson, chaperone and science teacher. He sits near the opening to the maple-wood floor of the rink. The room is dark except for the flashes from the sparkling round strobe light hanging above the skating arena. His shirt collar glows neon white and when I glance at my notepad, it is glowing too. Everywhere, everything white is luminous. I doubt that FLD Scout even notices. Her nose is to the rainbow and black-carpeted floor.

I am pleasantly surprised that Scout is so calm with the racket of the teens surrounding us. I leave her with Erickson and two girls who fawn over her while I venture into the rink for photos. Scout never even notices I'm gone.

FLD Scout tolerates the attention of two Rose City middle-schoolers.

FIRST HORSE

Our day is not done. After The Skate Place, I have an interview with a Master Gardener for another story. FLD Scout curls up on the passenger side floor and snoozes for the short drive to her garden-ringed home not far out of town. Marlane is gracious and allows Scout to roam her house while we chat in the kitchen. She even fills a water dish. I suppose we talk too long--eventually Scout settles at my feet on the cool tile floor.

Outside, it's picture time. As we wander around raised vegetable gardens and winding flower beds, Scout notices a horse in a pen behind the barn. She strains against the leash with her nose wagging in the air. Marlane invites us to meet the brown and white dusty mare, but it takes Scout a while to realize she's not going anywhere pulling like that.

Finally we reach the fence. The mare ducks her head to get a sniff of this black dog. Scout has second thoughts and backs away. The horse does too. I hang out with Scout outside of the fence until she's comfy. Marlane enters the pen and asks us to follow.

What gets Scout over her trepidation is the horse smell on the gardener's hand. Horse and dog never get nose-to-nose, but close enough.

Marlane: Master Gardener, Master Mediator.

It's been an eventful day for FLD Scout!

Desensitization

April 26, 2012

Wherein FLD Scout returns to the scene of her discontent.

Mrs. Matthews emails me. Seems the second-graders at Surline Elementary have thank-you notes and pictures for Phyllis and me after our presentation about Leader Dogs for the Blind. (See my post "Overexposure" from Thursday.)

This note from Samantha was one of my favorites. Can you tell why?

"We will be sending the notes in the mail unless you can stop by and pick them up the next time you are in West Branch."

Not one to ignore a training opportunity, I quickly agree to a revisit. Controlled exposure to kids is just what FLD Scout needs to overcome her trepidation.

I park a few blocks away to give Scout a chance to settle into working mode before we enter the school at the start of the day. Mrs. Matthews isn't in her classroom yet when we arrive, so I put Scout in a SIT/STAY at my side just outside her door.

At first, FLD Scout pokes her nose toward the stream of kids rushing to class, "awwwwws" breaking in currents around us. I can tell the second-graders--they are the educated ones not reaching out to touch Scout's head. When Scout shrinks back, I step in to physically block the inquisitive and persistent hands. Please don't pet her, I gently admonish, she's working.

At last, Mrs. Matthews appears to save us, her tall, lean frame towering over the sea of bobbing heads. "Come on in," she says. FLD Scout shakes it off and does a nice "around" to go through the door.

Mrs. Matthews' class is polite and happy to see us, and eager to hand over a thick stack of colored pictures and notes. One little girl presents me with her pencil. "It needs sharpening," she says, "but you can have it." FLD Scout and I hang out long enough to learn how to figure out the perimeter and area of rectangles--in centimeters. (Did we even do this when we were in second grade?)

After the math lesson, I heel FLD Scout around to each student as they sit at their tables. Scout sniffs each one and waggles her body for petting.

My desensitization plan is working.

FLD Scout and I leave with an open invitation and a schedule of field trips through the end of the school year. I think we've been adopted!

Here are a few examples of the notes and pictures from the second-graders at Surline.

Lily titled her picture "Super Dog." So true.

On the back of Lily's picture is her note. I love how she drew all the kids in line to pet FLD Scout. Petting Scout and Autumn was the favorite part for most of the kids--can't say the same for Scout!

In each class I ask the kids to look through their tightly closed fists to demonstrate how a visually impaired person might see. I also ask for a volunteer for "juno" training. The volunteer closes his or her eyes and holds the handle of an actual Leader Dog harness; I am the "dog" and guide the volunteer around the room. Juno training is a big hit!

Megan likes the "juno" training!

Verbatim (and as spelled), some more letters...

Der bog Trainers, Thank you for you coming in to are classroom. And thank you for leting me be a blind person. Sicerely, Shaun

Dear dog trainers. Than you for teaching us about leader dogs. I think leader dogs are amazing. I can not beleve that they teach some dogs how to sign. But I think it would be sad to have a dog for one year ownly. I would be so sad. But someone blind would need the dog more. I think it would be hard work to train and be a leader dog. Thank you again for teaching me about leader dogs. Sicerely, Mason

Dear Leader Dog Ladies, Thank you for giving us the wonderful stuff. I love dog, exspesile Scout and Autumn. They look so cute and are well behaved. And remember don't say "park" to many times in front of the dogs. Love Charlie

Dear Leader dog Ladies, I would like my dog Rocky to be a leader dog. I will buy him a cape. I will show him how to help people who can't see. I will train him. Thank you for coming to school. I will tell my mother to send money. From Madison

Aren't these cool?!

Duckies and Baby and Bear, Oh My!

April 14, 2012

Andy and FLD Scout come with me

to the Spring Art & Wine Walk in downtown West Branch.

I'm on assignment for the Ogemaw County Voice to shoot photos.

Andy hangs with FLD Scout while I compose my shot. Can you see her tail just behind the bear?

We walk from business to business, tasting wine and hors d'oeuvres, perusing art. The gigantic metal polar bear standing guard in front of Morse Clark Furniture interests FLD Scout about as much as her bi-monthly nail-cutting. (Unlike other Labs I know, Scout could care less about getting her nails done. I rather think she enjoys the attention!)

 

In the offices of the Herald (our competitor paper), FLD Scout is interested in (but not afraid of) baby ducks that peep and scurry to the corner of a heated wooden pen. The box is lined with pages from their paper, not ours.

We stroll through crowds and stores with breakable nick-nacks. Andy holds a relaxed FLD Scout while I click away.

It is later, when the family of the happiest-baby-girl-in-pink stops us with questions about FLD Scout, that Scout reveals some trepidation. "She just loves dogs," they say. I seize the opportunity and bring a not-so-sure Scout near. With my ever-present bag of treats, I reward Scout for daring to get close enough for a sniff.

She is the same age as FLD Scout--9-months.

The baby wiggles a reach and Scout allows her to pat her snout. Scout wags her tail and the wag, as usual, ripples its way to her nose, which bumps against the baby's open palm. The baby giggles with her whole body like she is being filmed for Funniest Home Videos. That's enough for Scout--she backs away, but not too far.

PROGRESS!

The giggling baby causes FLD Scout to reassess the situation.

...still more later...

Overexposure

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Phyllis and I, with FLD Autumn and Scout, visit all five second-grade classrooms at Surline Elementary in West Branch. 

FLD Scout poses near copies of the book, Training a Guide Dog, that Mrs. Matthews read with her class in preparation.

Phyllis, smart in her Lions' vest, talks to Mrs. Matthews' class about Leader Dogs for the Blind. Our FLDs are lying calmly--Scout is in a nice "down/stay" and keeps her eyes on me as I circle the group to take a picture.

Everything was fine until the end of our presentation in the third of five second-grade classrooms.

FLD Scout feels okay in the second class of second-graders. Here she lies near where the kids are gathered.

As long as our puppies stay calm, I said to the percolating little people in the third class on the schedule, you can file by and pet them. My OK released a deluge of squeals from the 23 kids who swarmed us like catfish in a feeding pond.

Scout had been sitting next to me, but faced with a tsunami of outstretched arms and tiny hands, she stood up, ducked her head behind me, and tried to melt into the wall.

Scout, heel, I said and eased her closer to the door, sacrificing Phyllis and FLD Autumn to the fray.

Autumn took it all in stride.

FLD Autumn thinks the kids in Mrs. Matthews' room are comfy.

Two classrooms (with more controlled greetings) later FLD Scout wasn't the only one who was relieved our speaking engagement was over.

FLD Autumn averts her gaze. She looks like she's thinking, "What is it about no eye-contact that they don't understand?"

Looks like I have some work to do, I said to Phyllis as we drove home.

Autumn conks out in the van on the drive home.  Scout sneaks up front to curl at Phyllis's feet on the passenger side.  "A tired puppy is a good puppy!"

....more to come!

 

Fire Fighters Take 2

Enter a large room where 20-some Leader Dogs for the Blind puppy-raisers with puppies (that range from 8-weeks to 1-year) are gathering and it quickly becomes a traffic jam. You open the door and people in front of you are walking backwards with their puppies, because, like your own puppy, they have forgotten all the rules about heeling nicely on a loose leash.

You face a conundrum. You must squeeze your puppy through, but you risk the deterioration of your effort in getting your puppy to NOT pull. You shorten your leash, suck it up, and barge your way in.

This evening, "in" is the fire truck garage at the Bay City Central Fire Station. There are at least two vehicles parked inside; I can't remember exactly because I am focusing on FLD Scout. The puppy-energy in the cement-floored building ricochets off the cavernous ceiling. Through the umbilical cord that we call a "leash," I feel Scout ramping up.

Scout looks worried.

Scout, heel, I say, and walk to the far end of the garage. I notice a pile of firefighter gear next to one of the trucks and ease Scout over. She hesitates. I'm sure she remembers our debacle at the Clare outing 10 days ago. (Read about Scout's fear behavior with the firemen on my post from April 9.)

Scout, sit, I say and follow up with a "stay" command. I take a step away. She leans a bit, but holds position.

FLD Scout holds her "sit/stay" next to fire boots and clothes.

When Phyllis brings FLD Autumn over, Scout relaxes and turns to sniff the boots. Without prompting, she eases into a "down." I'm not too concerned about this (she should hold the sit until released or given another command) because sliding down is typical behavior for her--that's a good sign she's getting comfortable.

FLD Autumn gives her buddy Scout some confidence.

FLD Scout takes a sniff.

She thinks it's okay.

Yep! Definitely okay. FLD Scout lays calmly by the gear.

Eventually, all the puppies settle (for the most part) after we use tools we've learned, like name recognition, redirection with commands, finger pokes, and "leave its."

We have a lot to accomplish in an hour and a half. Up and down stairs on a tour through the station, a chance to walk our puppies through an ambulance, loose leash heeling at a busy intersection, exposure to sirens and blasting horns, and (the coupe de grace for Scout), meeting fully-geared (with beeping, hissing air tanks) firemen.

All with the added distractions of the other puppies.

At the door of the ambulance, FLD Scout looks back as if saying, "What now?!"

FLD Scout jumps into the ambulance with no troubles, but is nervous about the long drop to the grated back step. After a few seconds of considering her plan of attack, she drops her front paws onto the bumper, decides it is okay, and pops the rest of the way down. Good girl, Scout!

Scout goes for the treat.

I'm pleased when FLD Scout is cautious, but curious, of the kneeling fireman. This time her tail is not tucked between her legs; she even manages a wag or two when I give him some treats to offer her. I let her hang around while other puppies get their loving from the men that look and sound like space invaders.

It's working! FLD Scout is getting over her fear!

Isn't this little pup adorable?

FLD Scout's New Behaviors

I've been keeping a close eye on FLD Scout. Lately she's had a few behaviors that are out-of-character. She'll be nine months old on April 11; I won't be surprised if she comes into heat soon.

CLINGINESS

Scout has always preferred staying close to me. I don't know how many times I back away from the kitchen counter only to almost fall over her as she snuggles up on the rug behind me. When I come out of the bathroom, she is standing right there. Waiting.

But...

The other evening after taking Scout out to "park," I brought her back in the house to stay with Andy while I threw sticks for Gypsy and Gus. I heard her wailing and barking inside. After a few minutes, Scout barged out of the back door with Andy at the other end of her 15' lead.

"She was carrying on and almost jumped through the window," he exclaimed. "She had all four feet on the window sill and almost knocked over the plants. It was like she thought she could just go through the window!"

Next time I left her inside like that, she got sent to her crate.

PROTECTIVENESS

Andy and I were downstate, finishing Anne's room (Andy built her a bedroom as a graduation gift). One morning, FLD Scout and I went with him on one of his many runs for supplies. We stopped for breakfast on the way.

After eating I said, Andy, Scout and I will meet you at Lowe's. It was only a mile away; walking along a busy city sidewalk is always a great training opportunity.

FLD Scout had no issues with a squealing belt on an old panel truck as it turned left at the light, and paid no mind to the heavy traffic whizzing by only a few feet away. She reminded me of her half-brother, LD Mike, as she plodded slowly at my side on a loose leash. Occasionally she stretched to sniff at the green grass sprouting alongside, but a gentle reminder with the leash brought her back in line.

A couple of houses further on, a young man dressed in jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt was using a snow shovel to scrape away mud from his driveway. The sky was dark and threatening, although warm for a misty spring morning, and the man had his hood pulled up over his head.

Scout was a very vocal puppy when we brought her home at seven weeks, but now she hardly ever "speaks," unless in play with Gus or Rosie.

But...

When Scout noticed the hooded man, she instantly grew into a larger dog. Her head, instead of low and bobbing, was in high alert, ears pricked. Her plod turned into a prance. We got a little closer and she let out a sharp BARK! I stopped. She barked again.

The young man dropped the snow shovel and took a few steps back toward his house, even though we were more than 30 feet away.

Scout, sit, I commanded, but she needed some help getting her butt down. Scout, I said, trying to redirect her attention to me. I poked her side. She glanced at me for a millisecond, huffed, and refocused on the white hoodie. I said, Stay and stepped out in front of her to obstruct her view. She strained to see around me.

When Scout settled, I turned to the fellow. He said, "I thought it might be the shovel, that's why I dropped it." He shuffled from foot to foot, gesturing with his arms.

She's a little nervous, I said, explaining that she is a Future Leader Dog in training. I'll just chat with you a bit until she calms down, okay?

"Yep, I think it was the shovel," he repeated, taking another step back. I could see that he was more nervous than Scout. Time for us to move on.

Scout, heel, I said in my most commanding voice, and kept her leash short. She pranced at my side, but did not pull to reach him. "I think it's the shovel," he mumbled again. As we passed she craned her neck around to keep her eyes on him; I responded with more finger pokes and name recognition. She finally stepped to.

FEAR

Did you now that an Easter Egg Drop really IS a "drop?" We found that out last weekend at a puppy outing in Clare. Fellow-raiser Judy and her husband Sam had arranged a busy day for six FLDs and their raisers. (Thanks Judy!)

First we met at Jay's Sporting Goods, on the north side of town. Think Cabela's, or Bass Pro Shops, and you'll imagine the challenging distractions for our puppies. The "trophy room" was particularly interesting.

FLD Scout checks out the mounting of a buck's head in Jay's trophy room. She's glad there's a rope restricting access.

FLD Scout timidly backs away from some animal skulls on display.

After Jay's we headed east of town to the Clare airport for the egg drop.

1800 plastic Easter eggs fall to the ground.

Besides all the kids and noise distractions, our FLDs got to meet the Easter Bunny. FLD Scout and FLD Autumn weren't too sure at first, but I guess when you are with a friend, the scary turns out to be not so scary after all!

But...

The puppies gathered round two of Clare's finest firefighters and two piles of gear. Civilian shoes were kicked off. The two men stepped into fireproof pants that were tucked at-the-ready over heavy rubber boots.

With amazing speed, the men grew bigger before our eyes. A pull on the attached suspenders brought the pants into place. They donned reflective jackets and snapped heavy air tanks in place as easily as I would throw Scout's "puppy bag" over my shoulder.

The furry supervisors monitor progress calmly from good-form heel positions.

A rustle arose from the four-legged crowd when the men were swallowed up by protective headgear--fire-retardant balaclavas, face shields, bright yellow helmets--and bulky gloves.

The puppies are starting to be not so sure.

A sudden burst of hissing air startled the puppies as the men turned on their breathing apparatuses, but it didn't take long for them to recover.

Except for FLD Scout.

She bolted to the end of her leash. She danced in my shadow, using me as a shield between her and THAT HUGE SCARY MONSTER!

FLD Ruckus shows FLD Scout it's okay, but she's not buying it, even if there are treats!

It might have been the acceptance of the other puppies that eventually gave Scout enough confidence to come a little closer, but I suspect it was the shutting off of the air tanks and the gradual reappearance  of the men who had disappeared. They took off their gloves and lifted their face shields.

Scout finally took a treat.

Luckily, the firefighters were patient while Scout got over her fear. We'll see how she does this week--we have another outing, this time at the Bay City Central Fire Station!

Some little girls love up FLD Scout, who sits nicely for the attention.

Take Down

FLD Scout claps her castanet teeth like a wild Spanish dancer.  SNAP, SNAP, SNAP!

She latches on to Gus's new collar and yanks. He's relaxing on the floor, minding his own business at the end of the day.

Scout yanks harder and budges him a few inches off of his spot. He sinks his head back to flatten himself, an un-moveable rock, but Scout heaves a little harder. She manages to scoot him a little further.

Gus gets up and shakes off Scout's grip.

The Lab-wrestling match is on.

Gus goes for her throat. Scout flips onto her shoulder and somersaults her body to break his grip.

Gus stands over the prone Scout and drops his weight across her for the count. There are no snapping castanets now--he clutches Scout's muzzle completely in his mouth, holding it closed.

There's more than one way to prevail over an almost-9-month-old pain-in-the-kiester puppy!

See Michigan!

Andy and I went bicycling under cloudy skies along the wide and smooth Pere Marquette Rail Trail.

Approaching a bridge on the Rail-Trail.

FLD Gus hung out with puppy-counselor Tammy at Northwood Univsersity in Midland, the start/finish of "See Michigan," a benefit ride for Leader Dogs for the Blind.

FLDs, one cc'd FLD, one retired LD, and one LD mom (with their volunteers), pose in front of the "See Michigan" sign at Northwood University.

Andy and I didn't pedal the entire 30 miles to Clare (and 30 miles back).  Wafts of coffee and frying bacon snagged us off the trail in Sanford.  We caved for breakfast at Alex's Railside Restaurant (deeeeeelicious), and a much shorter ride.

Andy gestures "no handed" from his recumbent bicycle.  Luckily, my next picture was not of him lying on the ground!

Meanwhile, back at Northwood, Tammy had her hands full.  More than one Future Leader Dog female puppy "in season" flirted with FLD Gus.  He was VERY interested!

Tammy holding FLD Gus at bay.

"Gus did well especially around all those girls!!" said Tammy, although she did have to remind him to LEAVE IT every time one of the girls sauntered by.

FLD Gus kept his eyes on me when we returned to Northwood.

FLD Gus with Lion.

Thanks, Tammy, for giving FLD Gus some excellent training while Andy and I got to ride!

Some Other Good Things About FLD Gus...

A couple of readers indicated that they want more like my post from Monday, "What A Good Boy He Is."  I'm happy to indulge the request.

FLD GUS IS...

LOYAL

• FLD Gus lies at my feet while I write and entertains himself with a Nylabone.

• He follows me from room to room, just in case I ask him to do something.  Anything.

• In the evening, he prefers to plop himself down on the floor against the couch.  Next to where I am lying.

• If I leave him in the van with Andy when I run into the drugstore for a quick purchase, he sits and stares at the store door until I return.

FLD Gus watching where I went.

OBLIGING 

As is typical with any dog, especially an adolescent intact male, FLD Gus tests me.

• Do I REALLY have to settle while you brush me?  YES.

• I don't want to walk easy next to you, I want to go exploring!  I know.  BUT YOU WILL.

• I want to lick that upside-down-strawberry-pie SO BAD!  I know.  BUT YOU WON'T.  

I remain consistent and insistent.  FLD Gus sighs, and complies.  Pretty darn quickly, too.

FUNNY

• Gus bows to Gypsy to encourage play, his "Licky Lab" tongue a windmill of solicitation.

Gus forcing Gypsy to play with him in the water.

• He never gives up.  He tries to grab her stick to play tug-o-war, and when he is successful, she tugs back, in spite of herself.

• When I tell him to go to his mat before meals, he never takes his eyes off of me and I half expect to hear a back-up warning beeper as he scoots his rear end in a wiggle to his mat.

SCARY SMART

•  In the woods, Gus mimics me when I'm clearing our trails.  He drags logs and yanks away at saplings.  He prances with long, downed limbs balanced like a high-wire-walker, twisting his head to clear trees that block his way along the edge of the trail. 

• To get my attention when he's had enough of waiting for me to finish writing, FLD Gus will steal into our bedroom and make away with a dirty sock from the hamper.  He doesn't chew it, just coddles it in the living room making noises he knows will attract me.

• Gus learned that if he bumps his nose against the bathroom door, it pops open just enough to stick his snout in and then he can flip the door open with his head--and he's in!

  

Poetry: Puppy Walks

Yesterday's walk on country roads prompted me to revisit a poem I've been brewing.  I don't think it is finished, yet,  but here is "part 1."

puppy walks

1.  city walk

keyed-up morning puppy percolates testosterone

Who's there?          What's that?

block-head dodges the downshift scream

of a semi

passing

close

          in the city

crows CAW raucous

just to be heard above the drone

of radials

on concrete

          in the city

rabbits snack on tended tulips

and grow COLOSSAL under

weathered redwood

          in the city

backyard hounds HOWL jealous

detained

by chain-link fences, fur-raised

in complaint

3 miles later

the key turns abandonment

into calm coffee--

a 3rd bunny          bursts out ahead

draws notice,

nothing

more

Tuesday's Training TIP: WALK YOUR PUPPY!

BEFORE

Up early.  FLD Gus stands still only long enough for me to snap on his collar and tags as he exits his crate.  OK, I say to release him.

Black-Lab-freight-train leaves the station!

Da-thump-de-da-dump, la-thump-de-da-lump...  He heads for the back door and somehow Gypsy and I get outside with him, unscathed. 

Monster paws thunder like a herd of buffalo.  Get out of the way!  Good thing Andy was right about our square-foot-garden posing an obstacle; Gus leans into a turn between them (instead of through them), spewing wet sandy soil in a rooster-tail behind him.

Something must be done.  FLD Gus was a very patient puppy yesterday as I waited for our driveway contractors to show up.  He isn't going to be content to lay around today!

MY MISSION:  TIRE OUT THE PUPPY!

We head north down the big hill on Brady Road, veer right onto Shady Shores Drive and follow south along the cottages that ring Rifle Lake, turn left at the corner of Wiltse Road, and turn left again on Brady Road--a mile-long grade back UP to our house.  All-in-all, three miles.

Along the way I change pace, stop, and give SIT, DOWN, and STAND commands to FLD Gus to divert his attention from deer-track scent and assorted country sundries.

Halfway to Wiltse Road we meet another walker, Noreeta, who is vacationing for the week at her family cabin on Rifle Lake.  Just then I spot a bald eagle circling overhead, almost brushing the treetops.

"The other day we saw a small fawn curled up by a tree stump near the lake.  It lay there all day in the sun," Noreeta tells me.  "You should have seen all the cottagers taking its picture!"

FLD Gus isn't interested in chatting, but Noreeta and I share our walk for awhile on this beautiful morning.  We part ways at the corner where the Cedar Bar still hasn't reopened after their kitchen fire the night before New Year's Eve.

AFTER

FLD Gus slurps from his water bowl like he barely survived a trek across the Sahara.  He flops down as I sit to write this and briefly looks up when I grab my camera.

Mission accomplished.

FLD Gus resting on soft, green carpet, too tired to even chew his Nylabone.

To tame a dashing, zealous morning Lab, try a long walk!

What a Good Boy He Is!

Lately I've been feeling like all I've been doing is picking on FLD Gus.  Getting his own mind, guard-barking, testing...

But.  Adolescent behavior doesn't define this energetic, scary-smart, happy Future Leader Dog puppy.  Gus has more than a few positive traits and there are some things he does extraordinarily well.  Here are three that instantly come to mind:

HIS BUTT DROPS IN A FLASH

Before Gus and Gypsy eat, they must SIT at the entrance to our eating area--Gus on his mat and Gypsy on the carpet.  When I say, Do you want to eat? Gus twirls around and around until he bumps against the wall where his mat is stationed, his butt nailing the mat at attention.

Gypsy, on the other hand, tiptoes to her place, eyeing me to make sure I really mean for her to SIT.  (Her food does NOT go into her bowl until she sits.)  Finally, she complains under her breath, leisurely lowering her rear end to the floor.

On our way outside, I tell both dogs, SIT, before I open the door.  Again, Gus drops instantaneously.  Gypsy moves as slow as molasses in January.

HAPPINESS ABOUNDS

Gus is the happiest puppy I've known, even for a Lab, those notorious happy-making-machines.  He is thrilled to greet Gypsy every morning, and races from his crate to engage her in play.

Gypsy wakes up crabby.

The other morning I noticed a small cut on Gus's face, no doubt from Gypsy putting him in his place.  Undaunted, he bows and gyrates before her, his long Lab tongue snapping the air between them.  She snarls.  He dodges, but always comes  back for more.

FLD-IN-TRAINING TRANSFORMATION

Put that baby-blue "Puppy Being Trained for Leader Dogs for the Blind" jacket on Gus and enter a grocery store, Home Depot, restaurant, library, you name it, and he is all business.  If strangers reach to pet him uninvited, he is not fazed (as I am).  In restaurants, Gus settles under the table, or at my side, sighs, and snoozes while we enjoy a peaceful meal.

I SO want Gus to succeed as a Leader Dog graduate that I often forget he's still a puppy in a big-dog-suit.  And a Lab at heart.  As his time to return to Leader Dogs nears, I must remember to take pleasure in his puppy-Labness, and celebrate the many things he HAS learned and how happy and eager he is to please. 

FLD Gus, my teacher-of-so-many-things!

FLD Gus, comfy in any position!  Here he is at the end of a busy day--chillin' where he lay on the living room floor.