Where We're At

The last couple of days have been slightly difficult; a bit of an emotional roller coaster really. One minute I'm good with the decision I've made and another I want to take it back, but I know it's for the best. He's the same old inconsistent Glacier and so, I know it is what we both need. He's such a cuddle bug, all curled up next to me right now and I am going to miss him terribly. We've thrown around a few options for where he will go, including keeping him, but staying with us has definitely been crossed off the list.
I had originally thought that if I got a group of guide runners together, that he could be my running buddy. He could stay home with Hermione when we went out and she wouldn't feel left out and alone.  I had also thought that I'd get him back into Rally Obedience and enroll him as a therapy dog. All great ideas except that with me going back to school, Mr. K in school, getting a new working dog, I don't think Glacier would get the attention he needs and deserves. He really needs to go to a home where he is the centre of attention and he can be doted on. That's all he really wants, I think. So, unfortunately, staying with us has been scratched off the list. I say that, but there will be times between now and getting the new dog where I will try to work it out in my head how we can keep him even though I know that is not a realistic or responsible choice.
I've had a few friends offer to take him and it's something I'm seriously considering. If he went to live with this friend, he'd be close and we'd get to see him. Plus, get very regular updates. He'd also be able to have play dates with Roscoe, which I think both boys would really like. In the last week or so, Roscoe and Hermione have really started bonding and that makes me think that Roscoe will be a bit better off with Glacier leaving than he would have been. However, it'd be great if the two boys could still see  one another and play.
The guide Dog  rep that came to visit said that he would help us find a home for him and that perhaps Glacier could be a companion dog for a child with a intellectual disability. I think he'd be great at being a companion dog and would love it. So, if my friend doesn't work out, I would be okay with this option. Apparently you can request that you stay in contact with the new  owners and that he stays in the area where you are living. I think I will do this because I am just not okay with completely letting him go without me knowing where he is and how he's doing. Obviously, I won't interfere with his bonding to his new family or let our relationship interfere with my new dog,  but knowing how much I still miss Jetta tells me that letting him go without any contact would drive me insane.
So, really, am I okay? For the most part. I have my moments where I need to cry or run 4 kilometres on the treadmill to get my frustrations out, but every time we work somewhere, I know I'm making the right decision. It is so obvious he'd rather be off exploring and adventuring instead of getting me from point A to point B and I'm glad that I just finally know that now. He's a great dog and I am going to miss his little quirks so much, but again, making the right decision for everyone usually isn't the easiest or the most ideal. I am just going to take it a day at a time and enjoy the time that we have left to work together.
Thank you to everyone for their encouraging comments. You guys have made this so much easier, knowing that I have support all around the world. It's kind of incredible don't you think?

Rally Thoughts

When I was reading another blog just the other day, my thoughts were brought back to rally obedience. I had taken a class when I lived in SC and had thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun for both Glacier and I and I think it would be something to get into again one day. The operative words are "one day." A few things need to change in order for me to do rally obedience training and perhaps some fun competitions.
First, I need a dog to do it with. Glacier is such a sensitive guy and needs structure to be able to work at his best. Asking him to also do rally obedience is confusing for him and is detrimental to our working relationship. We also cannot have pet dogs where we are living right now and that is why we have invested so much into our Sugar Gliders. Even if we could have dogs I'm not sure I'd want another one in this flat. I love this flat. Its location is fabulous and it's actually quite cute and has a lot of character, but there is no way we'd be able to fit a third big dog in here comfortably. I try to pretend that we could, but really, it would make things squishy. Sure we could fit a small dog like a miniature Dachshund, but they are known for their big barks and our neighbors would not be impressed. This building is old and not very well sound proofed. So, I'd have to get a dog.
Second, we'd have to be living somewhere else or perhaps I'd have to have a venue to practice in. This problem is a bit less of a concern since there are plenty of parks around us where I could practice, but the weather is unpredictable in Scotland and I'd need an alternative indoor practice area. If we had a bigger flat, or house, with a "garden" (AKA yard), that would be ideal.
If I am being realistic, I probably wouldn't have the time to dedicate to rally obedience properly in the upcoming year anyway. I've applied to the University of Edinburgh for Performance Psychology and if I get in, rally obedience on top of studying, classes and training for a triathlon might be a bit much.
With all of this in mind, I had a bit of a brain storm last night as I took the boys out for the last "park" of the night. Why not train Roscoe? Not right now, but Mr. K and I are pretty certain he will retire himself young, sort of the way Jetta did, and if that is the case he will still be young enough to enjoy something like that. He loves to please and even though he may choose not to guide anymore, I think he would be happy to have a fun job. I asked Mr. K last night when I got back inside and he agreed. That made me pretty excited.
By the time Roscoe retires, I'll be done with school and hopefully working. I'll probably still be training for the triathlon, but I'll be a more established athlete and it won't take up as much of my time as it does now. Besides training, I spend a lot of time researching the sport, social networking and many other things. Being blind means that I have to learn about the sport by either doing it or reading about it. So, I've been doing both. With this learning process out of the way, it would open things up for me to do something as a hobby that would be relaxing and fun. Not that I'm saying that I want Roscoe to retire early just so I can train him in rally obedience. In fact, if he works until he's old enough to be satisfied just being a couch potato, that will make me very happy. However, if he retires as young as Jetta did-seven and a half-we better find something else for him to do.
Life has a funny way of working itself out though and I'll read back on this post one day and probably have to remove my foot from my mouth. Roscoe will decide to work until he's an old man and I'll have to actually find a dog to work with. Either that or Glacier will retire early and he'll go back to rally obedience. That said, the guide dog trainer made a comment to Mr. K when he watched them work that he thinks that Roscoe will retire himself young.
Roscoe loves to work; that is, after you get the harness on. He reminds me of Jetta in that sense. He backs away from the body part going over his head, just like Jetta. He takes off like a shot once you lift the handle off his back and does a fabulous job, but when he's mad about where you're asking him to work, you know about it; again, just like Jetta. He also has become more "sniffy" as he's gotten older; just that little bit more distracted. Jetta didn't necessarily use her nose more, but she definitely became more and more distracted as she lost interest in guiding. The funny thing is, even though it was difficult retiring Jetta at such a young age, I felt so much better knowing she decided for herself. I almost wish this would be the case for Mr. K because that would save him the anguish of making the decision to hang up Roscoe's harness. I saw so many other guide dog owners retire their dogs, dogs who had worked for eight or nine years, and they eventually had to choose for the dog. I was lucky that I was saved that difficult decision, but this time around, I think I won't be spared. Glacier would probably work until his paws didn't work anymore. Of course I wouldn't let it get to that. He's such a good boy and deserves a great retirement. For Glacier, at least, I think retirement is a good few years off, but we'll see what Roscoe decides in two or three years. That's another reason to get that fenced in garden.
If Roscoe retires early, we'll have one working dog and one not. Mr. K hasn't decided whether he is getting another dog after Roscoe and I think he may make that choice long after Roscoe retires. When Glacier retires, I most certainly will be getting another dog. I feel safer traveling with a dog for a multitude of reasons, but mostly because I can't see at all and because I am basically deaf in my right ear. The dog acts as a safety net for me. That means, we'll have three big dogs at once, unless Mr. K gets a dog and that will make four. I really don't want to re-home Glacier and Roscoe if I can help it. The two of them will have to stay together; especially since they have been together from day one. Separating them would be very cruel. Also, if they retire at different times, what do we do? Hold on to the one who retired for a few more years until the other is ready to stop working and then re-home them? That also seems cruel. I think our best bet would be to find a flat with a limited amount of stairs-so that it will be gentle on two aging dogs' hips-with a fenced in yard. That way, we could keep both boys and I could also have my new working dog. Besides, if we give Roscoe and Glacier up, who will I rally obedience train?
Wow. This post really digressed. My whole point was to talk about my excitement to train Roscoe in rally obedience, but I guess all of the factors of life had to be considered. Whatever may happen, I hope we have a few years still to get things in order so that we can keep our boys and Roscoe and I can be rally obedience buddies.

I Got to Thinking...

This past Tuesday was "Adopt the Internet" with Pet Finder. I had also visited Pup Love's blog where she encouraged bloggers to do a week long blog hop that revolved around promoting adoptable animals, but wasn't able to participate because I am still figuring out the wonder that is my Mac's operating system. I just learned how to cut and paste yesterday! :) You can find her here:
Pup Love
I am also a huge fan of Dog Foster Mom's blog and have been a fan of adopting animals from rescues. I adopted Kyo from a Humane Society in Ontario Canada and also got my parents' dog as a puppy from a local Humane Society. When I was in university, my roommates  and I adopted two cats from a cats only rescue organization. In high school I volunteered with my hometown's Humane society, playing with cats and walking/grooming dogs. So, as you can see, I'm a huge fan of no kill rescues and feel very strongly about giving to this particular cause. But ever since I moved to my current location, I haven't been able to get involved with animal focused organisations to the extent that I would like to; mostly due to transportation issues. I sort of put that stuff on the back burner and just assumed that I wouldn't be able to do any volunteering until we moved somewhere more accessible. But after reading Pup Love's blog and witnessing the enthusiasm for "Adopt the Internet," I became inspired and decided to get creative and find a way to volunteer. I started searching local rescue groups and found two that appealed to me.
The first I liked because it is fairly close to where I am living. I figure that if all else fails and I can't get a ride from someone, I can take a cab. I have sent emails back and forth with the head of the rescue and although she seems in need of volunteers, she seems a little overwhelmed. I have volunteered with this kind of organisation before, where there is hardly any structure and everything is helter-skelter. I am a little hesitant to get involved again because the volunteers just get shunted along and no one knows what is going on.  She even told me that they  don't have a volunteer co-ordinator. Perhaps that is a job for me?It also took me contacting her twice before she would commit. Originally, she said that I could come by the facility and meet the animals and get a feel for the place, but in the most recent email she said that she is glad I am volunteering with them and that I have been placed on their volunteer emailing list. I am a bit confused. What happened to me coming in? Doesn't she want to meet me? What if I am not the sort of person they want representing their rescue? I liked this organisation because I read on their website that some work can be done from a volunteer's home. This would work for me and save some cab fare, but I would like to have a bit more information first. I'd like to meet the person in charge too.
I understand that  she is also running a boarding facility/grooming salon on top of the rescue and so perhaps she is crazy busy, but I have volunteered twice to go out there and meet her in person and nothing has come of it. Is this odd to anyone else, or am I just being paranoid? I think I may email her back and say that I want a face to face interview or at least introduction before I commit.
The second rescue organisation is really cool and I am excited to work with them. The person I have been in contact via email asked e to fill out a paper volunteer application, but once I explained that this was not possible, she offered to call me instead. Their website is extremely organised and this person seems a bit more on top of it. I think she is busy too as her emails are quite brief, but they are not impersonal and I feel more comfortable knowing that there is an actual application that you actually have to fill out. I also feel better knowing that I am going to be talking to someone over the phone.
This rescue is breed specific and places their dogs in foster homes. I don't believe that they have a kennel, but I could be wrong. They list a lot of what they need help with on their website and have a full list of the adoptable dogs up.
The organisation rescues Border Collies. I honestly haven't had a lot of interaction with the breed, but it would be neat to get to know another kind of dog. I know they are incredibly intelligent and usually have a herding instinct. They also have a high energy level, which is why most of them get surrendered. Mr. K has talked about us getting one in ten to twelve years-when our fuzzy family has crossed the Rainbow Bridge-but I want more exposure to the breed before we go off and get one. I hadn't had much interaction with Dachshunds before we got ours. I only knew what I had read and although I love these guys with all of my heart, I still think I am a big dog kind of person. I'm not only blind, but deaf in one ear and I can hear big dogs much better than small ones. It's easier to know what they are up to. I also think it would be cool to train a dog from scratch for either Rally or Agility. A Border Collie would be perfect. So, it's with the future in mind, and a really big urge to to do more than just write about how wonderful rescue dogs are, that I have decided to apply to work with this organisation.
I love dogs and know that we can't take on anymore-I would go crazy-but I want to try to help dogs in need in a different way. There were so many Border Collies that were on the website that had been surrendered due to financial changes or people moving into places that would not allow dogs. I have the time right now, so why not use it in a more constructive manner?

Getting To Know Glacier: His Vocabulary.

Today was an incredibly busy day for Glacier and I. We were picked up by a friend at 10 AM and didn't return home until almost twelve hours later. I thought that since we did a lot of harness work today that I would tell you about a few of his cues. These cues are used between the handler and the working dog. It is expected that a well seasoned working dog probably wouldn't listen to anyone else issuing the cues. Let's start with our morning.
This morning we took my wedding dress in to get altered. It did not need to be hemmed, but the sides were in dire need of being lifted up a bit. Plus, some bustling definitely was in order. When we got out of my friend's lime green bug, I put Glacier's harness on and told him "forward" and then "find the door." "Forward" is exactly what it sounds like: you ask the dog to walk forward. Glacier has many "find the..." cues. I use "door," "curb," "counter," "stairs," "elevator," "escalator," "chair" and many more that I have taught him along the way. When we were at massage college, we would set up our tables in random fashion and I would spread a blanket out for Glacier to have his own spot. If I left to go to the bathroom or something, upon returning I would ask Glacier to find "your spot." Regardless of where I had set the blanket, whether it was on the left side of the room or the right, the back or the front, he always found it.
After entering the alteration place, I asked him to find the counter and I spoke with the seamstress. She told me to go get changed and I again asked him to find the door. This can be a bit confusing for the dog. I asked him to find a door to come in. He has to decide whether I want to leave or if I want him to find a different door. I knew the general direction of the changing room, so pointed vaguely with my right hand hoping to help him out a bit. He took a hard left and walked right into the little curtained off cubicle. I was pretty happy with him, but what made me the proudest was when I left him there completely untied and walked out to be made into a walking pin cushion. I left the cubicle telling him to "stay" and walked about five feet away with my back turned to him. Many dog trainers will tell you that as soon as you turn your back it is showing your dog that they aren't submissive to you anymore and that this action could potentially cause them to act out. Glacier didn't budge. He laid still for twenty minutes or so while the seamstress scooped and pinned the wedding dress's skirt and train.
After the wedding dress alterations we headed over to my friend's house. She told me that her and her mom had a surprise for me and when I arrived, I found out that they had bought my wedding shoes for me. They are beautiful, but this post is not about my lovely blue shoes. It is about Glacier's brilliant behavior. After my surprise, we headed out for lunch where Glacier was asked to perform some of the same cues, but also a few different ones. We were seated at a booth as we were meeting Mr. K, Roscoe and another friend. At Leader Dogs for the Blind the dogs aren't taught a certain cue to "get small" or to scoot out of the way. So, I started using the word "under" with Glacier when I want him to squeeze under a table or a bus seat. I don't even really have to tell him anymore. I just drop the harness handle and if he sees me preparing to slide into a booth, he slithers "under." I still say the word though to keep reinforcing it. Besides, I am a very vocal handler. I noticed it at LDB and most recently have noticed it at our Rally Obedience classes. I talk away to him and praise like crazy or verbally correct him and most of the other handlers hardly make a peep. It's interesting to see varying handling styles.
After lunch we did a little browsing at a few stores and Glacier had to "find the counter" again when I used the bathroom and needed to wash my hands. He found a couple of curbs going into and out of stores and even traffic checked in a parking lot. I think I have explained traffic checking before, but basically it means the guide dog stops if there is a car coming that the handler didn't notice. He was having problems with this a week or so ago, so I was over the moon when I felt him screech to a halt. It's pretty hard to move 75 pounds of labrador when he thinks something is unsafe. I told him to "leave it" as well in the store. This basically means no sniffing or quit looking at what you are looking at; pay attention you gigantic furball. :)
After our little shopping trip, Glacier spent the rest of the afternoon at my friend's mom's house just being a dog. I went off to get a pedicure, but not before I used the cue "park," which is Glacier's word to do his business. I've been told a few times by LDB staff that "park" was used because it is "crap" backwards. Whatever the roots of the cue may be, I kind of like it because it is different and someone can't just come up and try to get your dog to potty. It's also a bit more discrete than singing out some of the other "potty" cues. Did I mention that I am a very vocal handler? Jetta even had a "go park" song I made up to try to encourage her to do her business, but that is for another day.
Glacier obviously knows the basic obedience cues like "stay," "sit," "down," Etc. He has a few other directional cues like "left or right," which mean a hard turn to that direction. If I tell him "left left," or "right right" that means slide over a bit to that side, or make a gentler turn. If I say "Glacier left left shoulder" I am trying to encourage him to hug the left shoulder of the road. He has also learned "where's Roscoe," which means find Roscoe and Mr. K. As I have said before the LDB dogs, and most other guide dogs for that matter, are taught "follow," but Glacier does not follow so well. He responds better to direct communication between him and I and no amount of familiarity with the person he is following will keep him following for long. Even in malls he will just randomly stop following Roscoe and then I, or Mr. K, have to try to find each other. We've had security guards reunite us after asking one or the other of us, "are you looking for the woman/man with the big yellow/black dog?"
Despite his lack of interest in following, I was very happy with Glacier's work today. It is really amazing the words the dogs learn and remember. I had named a bunch of different classrooms on campus when I was attending university and Jetta usually could take me to which ever one I named. Glacier and I haven't gotten that far in our working relationship yet. We have moved too much, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the university campus in Scotland.
I hope you have enjoyed learning some of Glacier's cues. Just remember though, that these cues are only to be issued by the handler and each guide dog school changes certain cues. "Go park" may be "do business" or "get busy" somewhere else.

Getting To Know Glacier: Rally Obedience Class Two

A week from now it will be my beautiful, yellow guy's birthday. In honour of this, all of the posts will be about Glacier. I've noticed in my past posts Glacier is mentioned, but very few of them revolve entirely around the dog that has my life in his paws...literally. I hope you enjoy "getting to know" Glacier much better.

Last night was our second Rally obedience class. I have to admit that with the moving and all of the other issues with the puppies, I didn't practice at all with Glacier. I knew going into the class that he may have a harder time performing the cues and focusing, but after the first ten minutes of constant reminders to "leave it" and to "pay attention," I was pleasantly surprised. We practised some of our cues from last week-a 360 circle, a 270 turn, sit/down Etc-and then added in a few new ones. I was amazed to see how effortlessly Glacier and I could move as long as I wasn't giving him the wrong cue and he was focusing on me. Most of the mistakes we made were handler error; AKA my fault. His "sit" position improved a lot just in the hour long class. He was more willing to sit directly at my side as opposed to scooting his bum around in front of me. It wasn't perfect, but probably seven times out of ten he sat where he should. Now his "downs" on the other hand, definitely need work. Every time he went into a "down," he laid directly across my feet. Maybe he's trying to tell me not to walk because it is not safe or something. Regardless of the reason, I need to be disciplined enough this week to practice with him.
Some of the new cues came easily to us. Our finishes, both left and right, were very good. There is one finish where you pass the dog behind your back and he either sits at your side or you start walking. In the one where you are supposed to start walking, the dog is expected to fall into step at your side without any yanking on the leash or leash tension. Glacier was a pro. He also impressed me with his call to "front." Basically this means the handler takes a few steps back while calling the dog to come around in front and then sit. This was one of the cues Glacier didn't know and I had to teach him. His movements were fluid and he responded really well to my voice and hand signals. In novice Rally Obedience you are allowed to use both hand and voice signals, but as you progress you can only use one or the other. Some of the other handlers were having to use their leash to guide the dog, or a treat to lure the dog to the front. Glacier needed no such encouragement.
Since the majority of guide dogs are not treat trained, I have been trying to do the cues without treat rewards. I don't want him to get used to being treated every time he finds a curb when we are out walking. Not to mention, sometimes your guide dog will do something for you and you won't even know it was done. If guide dogs worked for treats, we would be stepping in pot holes or running into planters all of the time. Guide dog handlers are taught to just keep talking to their dogs and every once in a while say "good job" or something in a happy voice to reinforce the wanted behavior. I think it's also to help just in case you missed the dog taking you around a bus stop sign.
We also practised "left" finishes which was another cue I taught Glacier before we were skill tested. Up until last night, I had to move my feet in order to get Glacier to make the little circle at my side that he is supposed to make. I started the "left" finishes practise moving my feet, but I wanted to see if Glacier was ready to do the cue without the movement. In a competition the foot movement would be considered a fault. I wanted to see if Glacier was ready to perform the cue without my foot signal and he was. I was very impressed. Even though we didn't practise all week, Glacier was on fire. No wonder the dog made it as a guide dog.
We reviewed a few other signs. One of them was slowing or quickening your pace. I thought Glacier would be good at this one since as my guide he needs to alter his pace according to what I am doing. I wasn't entirely sure if he would respond though because I think Glacier gets a lot of his information from me through the harness handle. In Rally Obedience he is not wearing his harness and the leash has to be slack, forming a nice J shape. The first try he put a bit of tension on the leash, but the second time around he slowed right down with me and sped up when I did.
All and all, it was a great class. We had some great bonding moments and I also think it reinforces to Glacier that he has to listen to me. At one point, when we were having some "down time" Glacier rolled over on to his back with his paws in the air and grumbled as he rolled around. I just had to laugh nd give him a belly rub. It is the first time he has ever done that with me. Perhaps these classes are good for us. We will practise this week though and hopefully next week his focusing won't be quite as inconsistent. :)

PS: The give away from VIP Products has arived and it is fabulous. I will g it up in another post, complete with a link to the product.

Rally Obedience: Class One

Since Wednesday is usually "What's This Wednesday" around here, and I was all sorts of frustrated yesterday, I missed posting about Glacier's first Rally Obedience class. The class takes place every Wednesday night for the next six weeks.There are eight students in the class and one instructor and one assistant. Glacier is the only yellow lab, but there is a chocolate lab, a golden retriever, two shelties, a Bernese Mountain Dog, another dog I can't remember and I'm not sure what the last dog is because he/she was not there.
The class was started off by everyone introducing themselves and their dogs. I went first and somehow I introduced myself standing backwards to the circle. LOL How I got facing the wrong direction I have no idea, but I realised it after the first person introduced herself and her voice was coming from behind me. Woops. Nothing like a first impression.
After some debriefing about collar types-anything goes except shock and prong collars, which is just fine with me-class rules-no talking when the instructor is talking-and a few other things, the class began. Our instructor, I will call her Miss B, showed the class a few different Rally signs and explained what they meant. Because I had skipped right into the Rally Novice class, we aren't really learning any new cues, but rather polishing the handler and dog's performances and the ability of the handler to interpret the different instructional signs. Miss B was quite good at describing what the signs looked like to me. I won't actually need to know this if I choose to show my dogs because I will have someone interpreting the signs for me at competitions, but I still like to know what the signs look like for my own interest. After explaining two or three signs the class would split into two groups and practice.
I was pretty impressed with Glacier. He was a little unfocused since there were so many dogs around and he technically wasn't doing any guide work, but the more signs we did the better he got. Glacier wasn't the only one with focusing issues. There was one dog, and I don't know who, that was bouncing all over the place. I was glad when Miss B said that the dogs are not to socialize with each other while in class because this was a working atmosphere for the dogs and handlers. If the dogs are allowed to be all crazy when they are in class, then it has set the tone for competitions. The dogs would think it was okay to meet and greet every other four legged furry creature that went by and that would not allow either of the dogs to focus and perform well. This suited me just fine because it means that Glacier can work on his "dog distractions." Dog distractions are exactly what they sound like; Glacier being distracted by other dogs. In harness it is very important that guide dogs do not interact or try to play with dogs that they may encounter. If the guide dog is distracted by another animal, or human being for that matter, that could prove to be dangerous for the handler. So when Miss B said no puppy play, only on our own time, I was very happy.
The cues that we practised were quite easy and Glacier did very well. We had to do "sit" and then a "down." We also had to practice a few different turns, including a 360 circle. I was so excited when I was able to turn in a circle and end up back at the spot where we started. Glacier has to walk with a loose leash and so I have to rely on my own sense of direction to tell him, and myself, where to go. We also had to make 90 degree turns to the left and right. Glacier and I are very good at the right hand turn, but need to practice the left. He walks way out in front of me when turning and I accidentally bump him with my knee or trip over him. So, in the next couple of days, it is my goal to be able to make that turn smoothly and without Glacier and I tripping over one another. All of the turns and "sits" we did all have fancy names, but I figure that is just confusing.
We also need to practice his "sit" and "down" positioning. He likes to cross over in front of me instead of lying parallel to my side.
When we were at Leader Dogs for the Blind, his "sit" and "down" position were perfect. He would just slide into a "sit" or "down" right where he was if I asked him to. Now he wiggles his bum or takes a few steps so that he ends up lying in the wrong spot. So, I suppose that is another goal of ours.
I have also received a document from the AKC outlining the accommodations that have to be made for a blind handler. I am very excited that there are actually rules in place to ensure equal opportunity to compete. I haven't looked at the document yet, so here's to hoping that the rules are actually useful. :)
I think it was a good class and in the long run I believe that it will be good for Glacier. It makes him focus on me regardless of the distractions around us. Miss B is very good about not interacting with the dogs as well, which I think is also good for Glacier. Rally Obedience class is time that he and I get to spend together having fun and learning at the same time.

My Super Non-Mut

I posted a few days ago about Glacier being a "super dog." It's funny how true some things turn out to be.
Glacier and I were doing our Rally Obedience training in the backyard again this afternoon. Mr. K was studying for a test, so I thought it best to take the whole gang outside for a while. They have been absolutely crazy today. I think part of it could be that things are changing around them. They don't understand why I am putting things into boxes and not letting them remove the items. It could just be the weather getting warmer. Either way, training was taking place outside to give Mr. K a quiet house; at least for a short while.
Glacier and I went through a lot of different cues today. We are just working the things he will have to know for Wednesday's evaluation. I am impressed with his progress, but that is not actually why he is a Super Non-mut today.
Normally when we are out training, the sun is out,the air conditioning unit kicks on every once in a while,, or the pump in the well house starts humming. But today there was no sun, it wasn't hot enough for the air conditioning to turn on and Mr. K was studying so he didn't use any water. All of these things are indicators to me with regards to my location. The sun only shines on a certain side of the backyard because of a giant tree we have; the air conditioning unit is mounted on the wall just to the left of the back door; and the well house is almost in direct line with the back stairs. Without any of these cues, I got myself turned around. I wasn't worried about wandering off into my neighbour's yards because we do have a fence, but I didn't want to be stuck out there walking in circles, guessing where the house might be. Plus, I am from Canada, I'm still afraid of fire ants and other weird SC bugs that might be lying in wait under the "pine straw."
Our yard is quite large and it's easy to get lost in. It was a concern I had when I first started training out there, but soon learned what to listen and feel for. If I had had my cell phone with me, I could have called or texted Mr. K to come and open the back door so that I knew where it was, but I had left it inside. I didn't realise that the sun wasn't out and didn't know that none of my audible indicators weren't going to go off.
By the time I noticed that I was lost in my backyard, I had already released Glacier as a reward for his hard work. He was off prancing with
Roscoe and the other fuzzies, but when I started taking a few hesitant steps, all of the dogs came running back to me. I felt a bit better with them around, but I still couldn't figure out how to get my rear end back to the house. I thought for a minute and then decided that if I found the fence, I could follow it back to the deck.
It was a good idea in theory, but when I found a fence, I didn't know what end of the yard I was at. Was I right? Left? All the way at the back?
What now?
I still held Glacier's leash and flat collar in my hand and a thought occurred to me. I have friends whose dogs leash guide them. Basically, even though they are not working and just supposed to be heeling they put tension on the leash and direct their person. They can also use their bodies to push their handler where they want them. Roscoe does this with Mr. K. Jetta never did this, but I wondered if Glacier would.
I have been working so hard with him and loose leash heeling that I didn't want to undo all of our hard work and have him guide me with the leash. So, I called him to me and put his collar back on. I just grabbed onto that and said as happily as I could muster,
"find the stairs." I kept repeating it and he started walking, tail wagging ears up. I knew he was thinking, but I didn't know what he was thinking. Did he think it was a game? Could he actually process what I was asking him? Roscoe trotted along side and got more and more excited every time I told Glacier to find the stairs. I don't know if Roscoe was cheering his friend on, or helping him find his destination, but Roscoe seemed to think he should help too.
Suddenly Glacier stopped and Roscoe danced even more enthusiastically on the spot. I reached my hand out and found the railing to the back stairs. I was floored. I then proceeded to have a party with Glacier and Roscoe, sticking left over training kibble in their mouths as fast as I could. They had just turned an ordeal that could have taken a half an hour into a three minute meander.
All I can say is "wow." So cool!

Glacier, The Super Dog!

Glacier and I have unofficially started our Rally Obedience training. I got the go ahead from the Obedience Club to register him in the Novice Rally class that starts March sixth. We still haven't been skill tested, but the instructor said to look at as more of an evaluation to see which class we would be better suited to. If things continue going the way they have been, Glacier will be all set. There are a few basic Rally Obedience cues Glacier didn't know yet, and so I started training him in our backyard. I may have to change our training location since I asked him to "down" on a sand spur yesterday. He completed the request without a complaint and I didn't even know the stinking thing was attached to him until the training session was over and I patted him down to make sure everything was in working order.
For those of you who don't know what sand spurs are, allow me to explain. They are the dumbest plant in existence. Mosquitoes have more purpose. I understand most creepy, crawly bugs have a role to fulfill and so do most plants, even poisonous ones, but the sand spur is the most pointless, painful type of vegetation out there. Okay, maybe they have a point, but I have no idea what that would be. They have these horrible prickly barbs that get stuck under your skin and even after you pull them out, the area burns for a while. They are so small that people don't even know they are lying in weight. The dogs often come in from outside with the annoying little things attached to their fur and stuck in their paws. Usually I have to remove the latter. Anyway, the point of the off track rant was that, poor Glacier performed his cue and got stuck with one of those pesky things. That means, a change of training venue is probably in order. Look out living room. Here we come.
There are two problems with the living room though. For one it's much too cluttered to practice loose leash heeling. The next issue isn't really a problem with the living room, but we really enjoy being out in the sunshine. The whole back and front yards are covered in sand spurs. There is really no escaping them. Maybe I'll have to do some training inside and then finish up outside. That way we get loose leash heeling work AND sunshine.
As for our training, I've been reviewing "sit," down," "heel," "stay" and many variations of these cues. Glacier has to be able to hold a sit/down "stay" for a short length of time; he has to hold a "sit stay" while I walk around him; he has to be able to go from a sit to a down and back to a sit again (we in guide dog school world like to call these puppy push-ups); and other combinations of "sit, down, stay." His puppy push-ups aren't so good, but I think it's because he thinks it's a punishment. We often would use these in training, and in every day work if our dogs became distracted. It would get them listening to us again and make it so that we could continue working. So, as of right now, the thing he knows the best is the hardest for him.
I've also been teaching him new things. I'm not sure if I am teaching the to him properly because I can't see the pictures or videos, but he is at least getting the point. I figure the instructor of the Novice Rally class can correct my body position and his if need be. Glacier will only have known these cues for a short while, so it won't be hard to re-shape them into what we need him to do. Re-training me might be harder. :)
I mentioned before that in order to be in the class Glacier would have to know how to "finish right or left." I didn't know what that meant, so I did some digging and found a few good resources on the internet. That said, there wasn't a whole lot available. Most of the resources were book that were in inaccessible formats. That means, no digital or audible format. So, I did the best with what I could find and began teaching Glacier the different finishes and "front" as well.
Front is a cue you use to get your dog to come from a "heel" position to sit in front of and facing you. I'm sure in more advanced competitions or dog sports, "front" could be assumed from any position. I won't bore you here with the details of how I managed to teach him these three things because its' a lot and if I started doing that, every single post would be the different training sessions we've had. I was thinking of starting a page that outlines each cue we have learned and how we got there. That way, if you want more information you can get it, but you are also not bombarded by it on my every day posts. I'm very excited by his progress. His "finish left" could use some work, but we've only trained twice. We'll see today how things go.
The trainer for the Novice Rally class, and the person testing us, seems like a great person. We've only communicated via email, but I like her training philosophy so far. She doesn't encourage the use of harsh corrections and subscribes to reward based training. That is good because as of right now, Glacier only performs his finishes for treats. She also would rather people use flat collars or Martingales rather than choke chains. Prong and electronic collars are NOT allowed. They aren't even allowed on site at competitions. That makes me happy. I think prong and electronic collars are horrible horrible devices.
Glacier usually wears a choke chain when he is working. LDB, and most other guide dog schools, encourage collar corrections, but students are taught how to perform them properly and they are not to be used with excessive force. I am going to have Glacier wear a flat collar though, and maybe use a different leash than his guiding one, to create a distinction for him between working, playing and Rally Obedience. The guiding harness is used in a similar fashion in that it not only provides the blind handler something to hold onto and serves as a means for the handler to read the dog's body language, it also signals to the dog that he or she is working. That is why most handlers are so strict about people petting their guide dogs in harness. The harness is supposed to signify "working" to the dog and if people are always interacting with the dog with the harness on, then the dog forgets or cannot distinguish between working and not working. If I give Glacier a particular collar and leash to wear and take off his working collar during Rally training, that will signal to him that it is Rally Obedience time and he can focus on that.
At the Novice level, Rally is like basic obedience training with a few more fancier cues. You are allowed to talk to and encourage your dog. You are allowed to praise them, unlike the traditional Obedience competitions. This very important difference is what makes it possible for Glacier and I to compete in Rally. I don't think I would put him into Obedience competitions because being able to communicate verbally is key to a guide dog team. I'm not saying that is the way it is for all teams, as some handlers cannot speak to their dogs, but Glacier has been trained that way and we bonded that way. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize our working relationship.
I also wouldn't enter a guide dog in agility because there is a higher risk of injury. If your guide dog is injured, not only is the dog out of commission, but so is the handler. I was reading somewhere that at the advanced levels of Rally that the dogs are asked to do low jumps. I will have to actually look at one of the jumps and determine when the time comes if it is safe for Glacier or not. By that time, Aria may be ready to start Rally and Glacier and I can just keep doing the Novice stuff for fun.
Wow, I've rambled a lot this morning. I will leave it at that for now even though I have some thoughts pertaining to our move to Scotland vying for my attention. Have a fantastic day and make sure your furry friend, working or not, has an equally fantastic day. :)