All training for yesterday, January 15, was done on the practice course outside of the Polk Residence Training Center (the dorm). Our trainers took us out individually with our new partners on the practice course that surrounded snow covered property and mini-pond/retention area. It felt good to hold a dog guide harness in my hand again. The ease of working with a Leader Dog takes time to develop. Human and dog have much to learn about each other; and the beginning can be difficult. When first working a new dog, a trainer hooks his/her training leash to the dog’s harness to assist with the first guide experiences. Penny feels good in her harness; but has a wee bit more pull than I am used too. It is vital to practice with her heeling in the hall so that our paces can begin to sync making travel pleasant for both of us. All dogs experience transition from trainer to handler in different ways. Penny, being a typical Golden Retriever, expresses her stress to this transition in her behavior. She has been hyper vigilant for her trainer, Randy, as well as for the rest of the team. She rears up like a Mexican jumping bean and tries to pull away. She is truly comical. By her nature, she is very playful. When working her on the practice course, I rewarded her with a mini Milk Bone for finding all of the curbs. After a short time of constant rewarding, the treats will become intermittent resulting in her striving to keep up her good work. It goes without saying that we were fed meals that were fit for kings. The day ended with more heeling practice in the halls.
This morning, January 16, greeted us with a sliver of sun that soon turned cloudy and ugly. We headed to downtown Rochester to work our dogs from the Downtown Training Center. Randy attached his training leash to Penny for both routes. My first walk with Penny went fairly smooth. I rewarded her at all of the curbs. She seemed fuller of energy than she did yesterday. This resulted in a tug of war of sorts between us. She pulled away to try to get to the trainers; and I pulled her back to get her to settle down. It made for a frustrating morning. Goldens are so playful by nature, that Randy pointed out that she may see this tug of war between us as a new game. He suggested that I let her expend her jumping bean energy to let her get it out of her system. The rest of the class enjoys Penny’s antics, so while killing time at the center, I let her be the entertaining headliner. It actually did calm her down. As the day progressed, she would get playful; and then sit or lay on the floor without being told. Around 1:00pm, the snow began to fall. My second walk went smoothly until my foot found a patch of ice under the snow resulting in a nice big butt print on the sidewalk on Walnut Street. Fortunately, I am no worse for wear. Penny was not fazed at all, waiting patiently as I got back up and remained vertical arriving safely back at the center. Penny and I will continue our heeling practice in the hall so that she can adjust her walking pace to mine.
Wil and Chip had two good outings as well. Chip is working out well for Wil. The video below demonstrates what it is like to train with a new Leader Dog. The days are full; but rewarding. The snow is still falling. It has been quite the adventure!
Until next time…