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.

Poetry: Puppies in the Fire Station!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Puppy outing at Macomb Township Fire Station #3.

Puppies in the Fire Station!

Puppies in the fire station

puppies in the fire station

who rang the bell?

Puppy-counselor Nance leads her puppy-group.

Canvas-coated monster

looms breathing hard like Vader

char-blooy-ee smell!

FLD Lincoln sneaks a treat.

Golden puppy looks away

wants to play, wants to play

Nyla-in-the-dell.

FLD Misha would rather play than meet the fireman.

Sirens wailing side to side

not one puppy bolts to hide

aren't the puppies swell?

Puppies and raisers unfazed by loud Engine #3.

Round and round the engine goes

dogs' heads follow with their nose

ring the bell, we won't tell!

FLD Gus and FLD Buster calmly watch the fire-truck race by.

Up and down the stairy-scares

wrinkles whiskers on their hairs

open-grated stairwell.

FLD Gus descends the scary, open-metal stairs.

 Puppies in the fire station

puppies in the fire station

who rang the bell?

Did you?

 

Firefighters Keep the Cool

Troy Fire Department Puppy-Outing

Once again, FLD Mike and I drive across town at rush hour for a Leader Dogs for the Blind puppy-outing--this time at Station #6 of the Troy Fire Department.  FLD Mike and I participated in the Rochester Fire Department puppy-outing in April; tonight Andy comes with us.

Andy says, "It's the only way I can spend time with you lately."  Guess I have been keeping busy--last weekend a trip with my folks to visit my brother in Ohio, Tuesday morning FLD Mike helped me give a talk about Leader Dogs to kids attending "Kamp-K9" (put on by "Teacher's Pet," a wonderful organization for rescue dogs and kids), and later took FLD Mike to his puppy-class at Leader Dogs.

We roll into the parking lot of Station #6 just a little late.  Puppy-counselor Anna (with FLD Doug) and the other raisers and puppies are gathered around three firemen, two of whom are weighted down in firefighting gear, but we haven't missed too much.  One fireman strides off to start the firetruck in the nearby open bay.

I grab FLD Mike's leash and snap on his jacket.  It takes me a few moments more to make the short walk from the van to join the group--FLD Mike sees the other puppies and with each eager pull against his leash, we take a few steps backwards.  Sometimes loose-leash heeling is a challenge!

There aren't as many puppies tonight as there were at the Rochester outing in April.  "It's too hot," Andy offers.  Perhaps so, but there is a nice breeze and plenty of shade.

I finally settle FLD Mike on the grass along the curb.  The fireman drives the hulking yellow truck around us, blasting the horn and siren.  All the puppies are more interested in each other and pay it no mind.

Another fireman, in full gear with air-tank hissing, approaches each puppy.  Like FLD Mike, most of them are eager to play, and not at all intimidated.  One younger puppy, FLD Friday, is nervous, but that's why we're here--to help him get over his fear.  

 

After a few moments, Jeanette (FLD Friday's puppy-raiser) calms him down and the "scary man" can come near.

The truck is parked and one by one we pose our puppies on the front bumper for a picture.  

FLD Mike takes  his turn, but he wants another!  He jumps up a second time as soon as we get close enough.  Come on, Mike, I say, let the other dogs have a chance.

Someone suggests a group picture in front of the yellow fire engine.  It is mayhem while we situate our playful puppies.  FLD Mike sticks his snout under the arm of the young firefighter, looking for lovin'--or maybe he is trying to reach FLD Ranger!

We thank the Troy firemen for taking time to assist our Future Leader Dogs with an important exposure.  One day, when our puppies are working Leader Dogs paired with handlers, they'll need to keep their cool in case of a fire.  Of course, we hope that never happens.

Andy says to the firefighters, "I hope this is the most danger you have to face on the job tonight!"

FLD Mike falls fast asleep in the van on the now-past-rush-hour drive home.

Sirens and Firefighters

 

FLD Mike and I pull into Rochester Hills Fire Station #1, running late as we seem to do these days trying to avoid Michigan's spring roadside sprouts (orange barrels).  Gathered around the open bay doors of the station is a huge pack of Future Leader Dogs and their puppy-raisers.  Mike senses the excitement in the air.  He sits up from his place on the passenger-side floorboard, straining to sneak a peek out the window.

We've come to another FLD puppy outing; this time to expose our pups to the imposing sights and sounds of fully geared firefighters and their rigs.  Because our FLDs must be comfortable on any type of stairs, we'll also walk up the open-grate steps in the fire-training tower.

As we mingle, I am once again impressed with the demeanor of these specially chosen dogs, even as their distinct personalities are expressed through varying degrees of self-control.  None of these puppies are particularly distressed when the fire truck sirens, bells, horns, and whistles blast.  Each of them sniffs the garbed firemen with interest, not fear.  The steel stairs intimidate some of the puppies, but their raisers help them manage.  The FLDs are more distracted by each other than the staged hullabaloo around them!

 

No one rushes off at the end of the outing. We linger, taking pictures of our Future Leader Dogs with the brave firefighters of Rochester Station #1, whose smiles we could finally enjoy.