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.)

Energizer Puppy

You know a friendship is special when someone with severe dog allergies comes to visit our house. It is not too difficult to keep the old dog away. Gypy's next-to-favorite thing lately is taking a nap.

But a puppy? That is a whole different thing. Last weekend presented opportunities for FLD Scout to work on self-control and people distractions. My secret strategy was simple. A tired puppy is a good puppy.

In the morning, I told our guests, Come on, let us show you our woods. (The puppy went too.)

In the afternoon, I said, Have you ever seen the Au Sable River? (The puppy went too.)

The Au Sable River from the lookout at Iargo Springs.

If you've never seen the magnificent Au Sable River in northeastern Michigan, it is worth a trip. High bank overlooks present a panoramic view; hundreds of wooden steps lead the strong of heart to water's edge.

Iargo Springs.

Here, at Iargo Springs, FLD Scout got her first taste of the open stairs down to the river. Multiple landings meant we stopped to SIT frequently as we re-gathered attention to the task at hand. By the time we were two-thirds of the way BACK UP, Scout was stepping like a well-seasoned trooper.
 

FLD Scout, still full of energy, at river-level at Iargo Springs.

Andy and our friends, Pete and Nancy, tackle the stairs UP from Iargo Springs.

I smiled to myself later when our non-dog-person guest remarked, "Boy, puppies have SO much energy!"

FLD Scout, looking a little bit "pooped out" after climbing all the stairs.

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.

"But how can you give them up?"

In answer to one of my most-heard questions, I say, Yes, it IS hard. But...

Read this letter from Alicia, the handler of Leader Dog Vera.

This is why, even though it is a sad day when my puppy returns to Leader Dogs for the Blind for her formal training to become a guide dog, this is why I CAN.

Good morning All.

Today is a very special day for a very special friend. On September 29, 2004, I met this very special friend. Who would know those 7 years later, she would be the light in my step, the inspiration behind my future, and the one who gave me strength to face my fears and reach high for my dreams. If it wasn't for my very special friend, I wouldn't have the college degree I have, I wouldn't have had the strength to reach for my dreams and achieve goals, and most importantly I wouldn't have a heart that is full of love. 

My special friend turns 9 years old today, and she truly is one of my very best friends. She is black, her loving warm eyes have made many bad days better, her wiggly black tail has been the center of countless conversations, and boy is it not funny when the "black bullet" bolts the door and is running down the street like a maggot in hot ashes. 

Yep, you guessed it! Today is Vera's 9th birthday. Happy birthday to one of the best friends I have and the first four legged partner I had that compelled me to put one foot in front of the other and walk those college halls.  

My black bullet isn't much a black bullet any more. She is slowing down and really showing her age, but the love in my heart for her will never, ever slow down. She is the foot prints, and will always be the foot prints, in the sand walking next to me on a rainy day, she will be walking next to me on the proudest days of my life, and she will be waiting for me on the other side of the rainbow bridge after I grow old and it is my turn to go. 

Thank you Leader Dog for putting Vera in my life and thank you for the independence she has given me. Vera, as well as Baci, truly is the most precious gifts I have ever had and it is my pleasure to honor her on her very special day.

Vera has already gotten an extra cup of dog food in her bowl and will be getting a frosty paw treat and new toy this afternoon. It is not enough for the joy she has given me over the past 7 years, but I know those warm, loving , brown eyes won't look at me with puppy dog eyes today. They will be looking at me with gratitude for the extra pets, the extra love, if that is possible, and the new toy she will receive. 

If you have read this far, thank you for reading my tribute to the finest black labby every born, Vera. She is the step in my step and the motivation behind every new milestone I successfully complete. 

Alicia, LD Baci and Vera, CGC, The birthday girl.

Thank YOU, Alicia, for sharing your story!

FLD Scout, my 4th Future Leader Dog puppy. She has a long way to go!