Training With Macy.
On October 27, Macy and I graduated from Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Here is an account of our training.
My life has changed so much over this past week, far beyond my expectations.
Up to now, since 1968, I had received in-class instruction and training, with my five previous Leader Dogs, all successful matches. I had never considered the home delivery training option, until it was recommended to me by the Admissions Committee. But, throughout the nine weeks of being without a Leader Dog for the first time since college, I grew more enthusiastic to try this approach.
I had many questions about home delivery training. In light of my in-class successes, would I be able to receive the quality training experience I was accustomed to from Leader Dog staff, within such a short time? What would the working relationship be like with my instructor and with my new dog, who would be working with me in my home area, entirely unfamiliar with my dog who had been trained in Rochester? Would one week of home instruction and practice allow sufficient opportunity for the turn over of my dog's affection and trust?
The answers form a resounding and definite Yes.
First of all, I was immediately aware of how much thought, care and attention was given to matching me with Macy. She is perfectly suited to me in temperament, personality, pace, disposition and behavior. Moreover, Kevin, my instructor, was so well attuned to Macy, and quickly developed an understanding of my needs and issues, my lifestyle, my environment, and my priorities. The intensive time, attention to detail, and specific feedback, brought about the mutual understanding necessary for Macy and me to become a working team.
Challenges included the following. My work place recently purchased a building in a new location, but is still in transition, so that both locations needed to be learned and used.
The areas near my work have badly broken and uneven sidewalks, made even more difficult due to arthritis in my right knee. Moreover, the sidewalk nearest my new location has multiple obstacles, such as trees growing on the sidewalk, trash bins, benches, signs, and so on. >From the very first day, Macy guided me safely throughout this exceptionally challenging area, and adapted easily to my slow pace as needed, and increased the pace when in smoother working areas. As we worked with Kevin's help, Macy learned quickly and became patterned successfully, turning in at the door to my work, after only the second try.
Kevin provided just the right balance between overseeing our work together in close proximity and gradually increasing our independence, providing opportunities for Macy and me to be on our own, without assistance, allowing us to problemh-solve and deal with the unexpected, independently.
Kevin also found us routes, so that we could work in more residential areas, including one with yard sale items and a parked truck and branches blocking a sidewalk. I was continually amazed every time Kevin showed me what Macy safely guided me past or around, so smoothly at times, that I wouldn't have known what the dog had helped me avoid encountering. We also worked at a variety of street crossings, with varying degrees of traffic, from quiet intersections in which to overcome my tendency to angle left, to busier intersections.
The fact that Kevin researched the best environments in which to practice building specific skills and overcoming negative habit patterns, made all the difference. Also, the home delivery training gave opportunity to adapt the schedule and choices to fit specific needs as they came along.
And, finally, Kevin's style of instruction was particularly useful to me. Not only would he point out particular problems, but he would provide information on how to address them with specific methods most effective with Macy in particular. The result has been noticeable progress, and an increasing trust level demonstrated between me and Macy, and greater relaxation and self-confidence on my part. I believe that the initial use of treat rewards in patterning, used randomly and phased out, has enhanced the speed and ease of learning, keeping the work successful and positively motivating. This is a method new to me in the training of Leader Dogs, and I am greatly impressed by the result.
And, being with Macy within the constancy of my home environment, without the distraction of other class members, dogs, and staff, has made the bonding process much smoother and more rapid. This is effective due to my intensive focus on Macy's and my relationship, especially during Kevin's absence, particularly in regard to obedience, loose leash heeling, grooming, T. touch massage, play, and health care. I am also very pleased to have the addition of the treker breeze training.
This has been a week of hard work, challenges, and enjoyment. I couldn't be happier in terms of my home delivery training experience and the quality of the individualized, intensive instruction. I recognize enormous potential in applying what I have learned. As a Leader Dog team, I also see the great potential in future interaction between Macy and me as we grow in skill and understanding.
Here is an account of our training.
My life has changed so much over this past week, far beyond my expectations.
Up to now, since 1968, I had received in-class instruction and training, with my five previous Leader Dogs, all successful matches. I had never considered the home delivery training option, until it was recommended to me by the Admissions Committee. But, throughout the nine weeks of being without a Leader Dog for the first time since college, I grew more enthusiastic to try this approach.
I had many questions about home delivery training. In light of my in-class successes, would I be able to receive the quality training experience I was accustomed to from Leader Dog staff, within such a short time? What would the working relationship be like with my instructor and with my new dog, who would be working with me in my home area, entirely unfamiliar with my dog who had been trained in Rochester? Would one week of home instruction and practice allow sufficient opportunity for the turn over of my dog's affection and trust?
The answers form a resounding and definite Yes.
First of all, I was immediately aware of how much thought, care and attention was given to matching me with Macy. She is perfectly suited to me in temperament, personality, pace, disposition and behavior. Moreover, Kevin, my instructor, was so well attuned to Macy, and quickly developed an understanding of my needs and issues, my lifestyle, my environment, and my priorities. The intensive time, attention to detail, and specific feedback, brought about the mutual understanding necessary for Macy and me to become a working team.
Challenges included the following. My work place recently purchased a building in a new location, but is still in transition, so that both locations needed to be learned and used.
The areas near my work have badly broken and uneven sidewalks, made even more difficult due to arthritis in my right knee. Moreover, the sidewalk nearest my new location has multiple obstacles, such as trees growing on the sidewalk, trash bins, benches, signs, and so on. >From the very first day, Macy guided me safely throughout this exceptionally challenging area, and adapted easily to my slow pace as needed, and increased the pace when in smoother working areas. As we worked with Kevin's help, Macy learned quickly and became patterned successfully, turning in at the door to my work, after only the second try.
Kevin provided just the right balance between overseeing our work together in close proximity and gradually increasing our independence, providing opportunities for Macy and me to be on our own, without assistance, allowing us to problemh-solve and deal with the unexpected, independently.
Kevin also found us routes, so that we could work in more residential areas, including one with yard sale items and a parked truck and branches blocking a sidewalk. I was continually amazed every time Kevin showed me what Macy safely guided me past or around, so smoothly at times, that I wouldn't have known what the dog had helped me avoid encountering. We also worked at a variety of street crossings, with varying degrees of traffic, from quiet intersections in which to overcome my tendency to angle left, to busier intersections.
The fact that Kevin researched the best environments in which to practice building specific skills and overcoming negative habit patterns, made all the difference. Also, the home delivery training gave opportunity to adapt the schedule and choices to fit specific needs as they came along.
And, finally, Kevin's style of instruction was particularly useful to me. Not only would he point out particular problems, but he would provide information on how to address them with specific methods most effective with Macy in particular. The result has been noticeable progress, and an increasing trust level demonstrated between me and Macy, and greater relaxation and self-confidence on my part. I believe that the initial use of treat rewards in patterning, used randomly and phased out, has enhanced the speed and ease of learning, keeping the work successful and positively motivating. This is a method new to me in the training of Leader Dogs, and I am greatly impressed by the result.
And, being with Macy within the constancy of my home environment, without the distraction of other class members, dogs, and staff, has made the bonding process much smoother and more rapid. This is effective due to my intensive focus on Macy's and my relationship, especially during Kevin's absence, particularly in regard to obedience, loose leash heeling, grooming, T. touch massage, play, and health care. I am also very pleased to have the addition of the treker breeze training.
This has been a week of hard work, challenges, and enjoyment. I couldn't be happier in terms of my home delivery training experience and the quality of the individualized, intensive instruction. I recognize enormous potential in applying what I have learned. As a Leader Dog team, I also see the great potential in future interaction between Macy and me as we grow in skill and understanding.