The sun actually appeared this morning brightening the twenty-five degree day. We headed downtown to the training center to work our dogs in harness, further becoming familiar as a beginning and developing team. Penny worked pretty smooth today. The sidewalks were nasty, wet, and covered with melting ice, salt, and narrowed by snow banks on either side. The route went without incident; and no butt prints were made. The dogs are transitioning from trainers to handlers as expected. Many have not fully accepted their new partners yet. Love, patience, praise, rewarding work, and food/treats are the key. After issue, it is our responsibility to provide for all of the dog’s needs. Different dogs show their displeasure in a variety of ways; most involving some type of misbehavior. Some dogs miss curbs while others pull really hard on the leashes. By tonight, Penny started nudging me with her nose for love and pets. She especially likes her neck and chin scratched. She has calmed down since yesterday; and has begun to heel very nicely next to me.
Our afternoon training session focused on traffic checks. The dogs are trained to stop on a dime when a car pulls out in front of the team; or approaches in a way that poses potential harm. To prepare the team for the real world experience, a traffic check is performed. Today’s traffic checks were brought to you by Leader Dog and a Prius hybrid. The first traffic check occurred as Penny and I crossed the driveway to the training center. She stopped on a dime without hesitation. She successfully protected me on two subsequent checks. We were with our trainer; and warned about all three checks. Throughout the rest of our training; and certainly after we get home, we will experience traffic checks as part of life without any warning. All dogs must pass traffic checks with their partners in order to graduate. Today, everyone passed with flying colors. These dogs are truly amazing!!
Penny and I practiced more heeling in the hall. We had an evening lecture that covered today’s traffic checks and general traffic safety for the human/dog guide team. Most of our classmates (and dogs too) seemed pretty tired tonight. Most retired early. Penny and I took a cat nap before final park as I wanted to post of our daily activities. The low tonight is supposed to be thirteen with a wind chill of minus two. Yikes! It is time for me to hibernate.
Until next time…