Time To Shop: Updates for January 20, 21, and 22

Training days at Leader Dog can be intense and tiring for both dog and human. I have tried to settle down early for the past couple of nights to rejuvenate myself and Penny. We have awesome classmates; and enjoy our social time with them. We all seem to mesh together creating a light and de-stressing atmosphere. The Polk Residence is comfortable, spacious, and perfect for dog/human relaxation and bonding when not training. The above picture shows a view of our room from the corner by the desk. The room has a full size bed with shelves built into the head board, night table, and chair. There is a dresser/desk combo with an alcove for a small refrigerator. Atop the dresser is a flat screen TV with cable and wired as well as wireless internet. There is also a lock box in which to place valuables. We all have a room key (scan card) and a lock box key attached to a lanyard worn around the neck. Beyond my bed lies Penny’s bed and tie down. There is a spacious closet that backs up to the bathroom. A big coat hook hangs on the wall on the way to the hall door which holds Penny’s leash, harness, and working collars. Not in view is a door beside the bed that leads directly to Penny’s relief (park) area and the smoker’s spot. Wil and I are in rooms 20 and 21 which has an adjoining door. We keep it closed most of the time; only opening it when we are relaxing at night together. It gets closed at bedtime.

The weather has been so bitterly cold and unpredictable that training is carried out accordingly. Monday (January 20) morning took us shopping at Meijer (similar to Walmart). We were trained on how to heel our dog while someone else pulls the shopping cart as well as having the dog guide while we pulled the cart. Shopping and pulling the cart is routine to me; and Penny handled it with no problems. My shopping list consisted of Bud Light, Diet Mountain Dew, Pall Mall Red 100s, and Ibuprofen. After my first phase of shopping was complete, Wil and I walked the store together with Penny and Chip. I got a couple of generic sweatshirts for extra warmth. Incidentally, those over the age of 21 can have alcoholic beverages in the room for sole consumption in said room. Intoxications is grounds for dismissal.

We met with Deb from the Puppy Department who shared our dog’s ancestry and affirmed which puppy raisers would visit on the 25^th. Penny, born on June 8, 2012, is a Sophie x Alphie pup. Upon sharing this on Facebook, some great Golden information was given to me. Apparently, Penny comes from Sophie’s pre-retirement litter; and is sister to Janice’s Mama Lacy (from an earlier litter). Penny is also a sibling to Harriet’s Dillon (from another earlier Sophie litter). Penny’s grandmother is Pam’s Breeze. The cool thing about these relations is that I met all of these named individuals through Titan and our Golden gang almost twelve years ago. It is awesome to be related by dog! I don’t know as much about Chip, born May 10, 2012. His parents are Gabe and Sofie. Wil and I both get to meet our puppy raisers; and are very excited!

The afternoon training for Monday took place at the Downtown training center with all of us taking a short solo walk with our dogs with our trainers close by. Penny worked well; but still had a bit of a tug. Wil reported that Chip worked well also. I am trying to encourage him to write about his experiences as well. We returned to the school for a lecture by Dr. Wilson (the vet) who will be examining all of the pups tomorrow. Our day concluded with an after dinner lecture about our shopping experience.

We spent both training sessions on Tuesday (the 21^st) at Lakeside Mall. It felt good to walk the mall. Randy made both walks with us and showed me the technique for taking the escalator with Penny. One of my training objectives for this week is to work with Penny on her slowing down (steady) so that she doesn’t tug too hard. If she pulls too hard, I won’t be able to feel her guide effectively through her harness. We sat in the Food Court while awaiting our turns close to the A & W stand. Wil and I had to have one as it reminded me of the days hanging out with my sister, Theresa, after losing my sight. We had many a diet A & W Diet Root beer belching contest. Penny took an opportunity to meet and greet and elderly couple while I was putting the lid on my refill. Randy came to the rescue. After observing Penny, it was decided to use a Gentle Leader when working. The after dinner lecture was about obstacles and the use of the Gentle Leader.

This morning we went to the downtown training center and made two short independent walks on the block near the training center on Walnut Street. The instructors were stationed on the street corners. Afterwards, Wil and I were allowed to venture to the Bean and Leaf Coffee Shop on Main Street and enjoyed a warm treat. The temperature was eight degrees with a wind-chill of minus seven. Our other classmates were allowed to do the same in teams of two. It felt so good to experience that independence with a dog again! Penny had a total attitude change with the Gentle Leader. She worked like a champ! Chip did an excellent job for Wil.

This afternoon, part of the class went to a college campus while the rest of us went to Royal Oak. It was bitterly cold; but we were able to work routes on clearer sidewalks. It is a neat little town with all kinds of store fronts, sidewalk signs, railroad track crossings, and some strange street crossings. Penny was a little excited as it was snowing and blowing everywhere. The wind wanted to freeze my face; but it was fun walking while it was snowing.

After dinner, Phil took me, Wil, and two other classmates’ downtown for some night travel. Everything was white (streets and sidewalks) from today’s snow. It was cool hearing the snow crunch under my feet. Poor Penny got a little salt in one of her back paws. I had no problem getting it out of there while walking with her. It was still snowing for our walk. I was truly impressed with Penny’s work. She is a very smart dog and knows her job. Upon returning from our training sessions, I wipe down and check her paws for salt, ice, and snow. She will be glad that Augusta rarely has that white stuff.

It is time to publish this and settle down. Tomorrow will be a full day. I’m not sure what the morning will bring; but the afternoon schedule includes ID, class, and dog poster pictures; an examination by Dr. Wilson; and a meeting with someone about GPS devices. Penny is already sacked out.

Until next time…