Day Twelve: Looks Like We're Gonna Make It!
This morning's obedience routine was full of dog distractions, toys, treats and the dogs' trainers trying to get them to come play with them. It wasn't just a "Come on doggie." It was "Okay Troy, you ready? Ready? Let's go!" This was followed by dashing across the yard. Troy tried so hard! I felt for him, and I worked hard on regaining his focus. In the end, he was listening quite well, but it took him some time. He tried to devour the dog treat he was offered, but he was not victorious.
This morning, we did traffic work. The dogs are trained to stop and or back up depending on how they need to get out of the way of the car. Troy handled the whole thing with his usual "No big deal" attitude. He nailed every approach, but he was so casual about it which is awesome. It doesn't stress him. In fact, I think he enjoyed the work. That means it was done right. He respects the vehicles and gives them space, but he has no fear. Teach a dog to fear traffic, and that dog can not be a guide dog.
After lunch, we went to a huge outlet mall. This place was really crowded. There were people pulling suitcases, people in big clumps who would just freeze and be incapable of deciding which way to go when they saw the dogs, people eating, people with dogs and people trying to pet the dogs. The mall is set up in such a way that there are many short flights of stairs going up and down at unpredictable intervals throughout the mall. Sometimes it is two normal steps up and then three widely spaced going down. Sometimes it was a large flight up or down. Sometimes we took a ramp.
On top of all of this, there were people coming and going from the stores, so there were doors being opened into what had been an open path of travel moments before. We had to do one small rework, and that was in a store, not out on the sidewalks where the genuine mayhem was happening. We had to use the boots today, and thankfully, they didn't slow the boy down today. He was very interested in the other dogs. I anticipate needing to really be firm on dog distractions when we first get home, but I think he will do very well once he realizes that he is not allowed to ever greet another dog when he is working. I have no question in my mind as to if this is something he and I can resolve together.
Other notes from today:
1. We got our ID cards today, so they gave us our license a day early. I joked that I was scheduling a cab and would be out of here tonight.
2. We had an obstacle course to and from lunch and dinner today, and Troy was confident and comfortable doing the work. He had started showing some reluctance to work to meals after all of the courses last week.
3. I spent almost an hour massaging him after dinner, and I think it really relaxed us both.
4. I got Troy to lay with his front half in my lap on the floor this morning. It seemed to be below his dignity at first, but he relaxed in for some quality snuggles in time.
5. I cannot believe tomorrow is our last day of training.
This morning, we did traffic work. The dogs are trained to stop and or back up depending on how they need to get out of the way of the car. Troy handled the whole thing with his usual "No big deal" attitude. He nailed every approach, but he was so casual about it which is awesome. It doesn't stress him. In fact, I think he enjoyed the work. That means it was done right. He respects the vehicles and gives them space, but he has no fear. Teach a dog to fear traffic, and that dog can not be a guide dog.
After lunch, we went to a huge outlet mall. This place was really crowded. There were people pulling suitcases, people in big clumps who would just freeze and be incapable of deciding which way to go when they saw the dogs, people eating, people with dogs and people trying to pet the dogs. The mall is set up in such a way that there are many short flights of stairs going up and down at unpredictable intervals throughout the mall. Sometimes it is two normal steps up and then three widely spaced going down. Sometimes it was a large flight up or down. Sometimes we took a ramp.
On top of all of this, there were people coming and going from the stores, so there were doors being opened into what had been an open path of travel moments before. We had to do one small rework, and that was in a store, not out on the sidewalks where the genuine mayhem was happening. We had to use the boots today, and thankfully, they didn't slow the boy down today. He was very interested in the other dogs. I anticipate needing to really be firm on dog distractions when we first get home, but I think he will do very well once he realizes that he is not allowed to ever greet another dog when he is working. I have no question in my mind as to if this is something he and I can resolve together.
Other notes from today:
1. We got our ID cards today, so they gave us our license a day early. I joked that I was scheduling a cab and would be out of here tonight.
2. We had an obstacle course to and from lunch and dinner today, and Troy was confident and comfortable doing the work. He had started showing some reluctance to work to meals after all of the courses last week.
3. I spent almost an hour massaging him after dinner, and I think it really relaxed us both.
4. I got Troy to lay with his front half in my lap on the floor this morning. It seemed to be below his dignity at first, but he relaxed in for some quality snuggles in time.
5. I cannot believe tomorrow is our last day of training.