Oh Texas

As I've said before, moving is stressful for the dogs as well as us humans; and I was interested to see what behaviors the dogs would display, as they adjusted to their new surroundings.
For Texas its been an increase of his already annoying barking. All these different house sounds, outside noises, cars pulling in and out...etc.. are usual things that have GOT to be barked at!

And because we don't think moving was stressful enough, a dear friend of mine, will be rooming with us for the near future. Over the weekend they  have been dropping in randomly over the weekend, getting things squared away.

Since Texas has met them in the past, I don't worry too much about them coming into the house, yes he'll come at them in "killer mode" but turns to wiggling, silly puppy once he realizes who they are. And because they know to just ignore him, which takes the "fun" out of sounding mean.

Well yesterday C (future roommate) and her sister R (future neighbor as she's moving into my old house) came over to "hash out" our living arrangement. R was in the back room, doing something on my computer.

All the dogs went silly of course with new people, but calmed down when they were receiving any attention. Everything was quiet until R yelled out something from the back room.

What? Intruder!

Texas lets out a bark and tears to the back room, ready to defend his.....hide...  a few seconds later he comes back out, realizing who it was.

R called for some assistance a little bit later, and again Tex tore into the back room, sounding the alarm. Again he realized it was a false alarm, and comes trotting back out after getting some attention.

You'd think we'd be done by now...but no. Once again, R (eaves dropping on our convo) made a comment, in her normal voice, which sent Texas back into defense mode.

It will defiantly be interesting to see how he adjust to having another person living with us.

>> I really wanted to start some "serious" Texas work this weekend, but forgot we'll be heading over the mountain for Pompei's puppy meeting. So. Phooey.

Also to my small dog owner bloggy friends... has anyone used a car seat for their dogs....is it worth it?

2009 In Review

2009 is coming to a close, and wow have I had a busy year!!! Never would I have dreamed of all the different things to come my way this year!!

Dog's Trained: 8 - Timothy, Veda, Ben, Gideon, Daniel, Ira, Hope, Dublin
Dogs Fostered: 1 - Victoria
Dog Puppy Sitting: 6 - Jordan, Eden, Lydia, Mensa, Bishop, Ben (before he became a SD)
Total Dogs this Year: 15 not counting Bubbles & Texas


Foster Pups in My Group: Yiska, Gideon, Hope Ira, Noah, Ophel, Phillip,Yoda, Zach, Bishop, Abby, Casey, Felix, Reuben, Willow.

January

A hard month with so many changes, I couldn't see straight. Signed up for two classes with our community college in WNC. Bubbles, Texas and I moved to TN on our own, and I started working with Wilderwood Service Dogs. My first trainee was a bouncy 1yo Retriever mix, named Timothy. He was defiantly a challenge, but I didn't feel overly intimidated by working with him.

February 

I was home all day with this job, and bored out of my mind. No internet in my home, so I was stuck going outside, trying to find my way around an unknown city, and going to restaurants for internet. My friends really baled me out during this month, so I frequently visited their home, or went out with them. Bubbles and Texas acclimated really well to our new place (well except for Bubbles throwing up every day for the first week we were here) and we learned more about working with Mr.Tim.

March

My first Wilderwood Graduation was like nothing I'd been in for sure! I'd seen autistic children, but had never experienced it first hand, how their emotions are so easily effected by new environments, sensory overloads etc.. It was also hard, since I didn't know much about autism spectrum, or how to help the parents help the dog help the child. It was most defiantly a learning experience. I was soo thankful we got three days off afterward, and pretty much just collapsed! Veda arrived A week later, I was promoted to Foster Program Manager, and began, working with our volunteer foster families, answering questions, Running puppy classes, working on different training problems as they arose, and anything else that was required. 

April

I was settling into my new position as FPM. This was just one of those months, that you really don't recall much of, since it wasn't too much going on. School was close to wrapping up, My sisters, Veda,Texas went back across the mountain, to Chimney Rock's Bark in the Park. That was fun! Well after we got Texas to stop trying to bite anyone close to him... 

May

Busy, busy month, Ben was given to Wilderwood as a service dog, and came to live with me. (Speaking of Ben, I just heard that he is doing great with his new family! *sniff* I miss that dude)My sister was graduated High school, Finals were due, Rei and Kacie came to visit, which was AMAZING; 

June

2nd Wilderwood Graduation, with Veda and his brother Xerxes; since I knew what was going to happen, it was a lot easier in some respects, than my last one. Still was great to get to see the dogs and kids bond with each other. After graduation was over, we headed to FL, for a church event, and then a trip to Universal Studios!! When I got back, I was offered a position with the University of Tennessee Police Department, and I accepted it. Gideon came to live with me as my 4th trainee.

 

July

Started work at UTPD, added Daniel to my gang. Gideon and Daniel were defiantly an interesting combination...they on such opposite ends of behavior levels, that it was driving me crazy, so Gideon moved on to another trainer. Texas turned a year old! 

 

August

Daniel moved on to another trainer, and Ben came back for a couple weeks, before moving on to ANOTHER trainer, and Ira came to live with me. She defiantly kept me busy, puppy proofing, and then re-puppy proofing, and go back and RE-puppy proofing my house. If there ever was a dog with ADHD...she would have been it. Decided school wasn't going to happen this semestor :((

September

Graduation No. 3, 3rd verse same as the first, this graduation went the smoothest. Said goodbye to my buddy Ben, attended my first Knoxville Campmeeting while living in Knoxville. Next year vowing to board the dogs.

October

Wilderwood changed our flow system, so I was traveling to our kennel facility three times a week and training pups out there. Victoria came home with me, and Gideon arrived back and left again. We baby sat Mensa for a week...then brought Hope in around the middle of the month. I'm so glad she looks so much better now!! Its hard to believe she was once so gaunt!!

{Ira and Victoria napping}

{Gideon & Victoria laying in the grass}

 {Hope surrounded by leaves}

November
Moved back into my position as Foster Program Manager, and working from home. Celebrated the Anniversary of the arrival of Bubbles & Texas. Went out of town for Thanksgiving, and boarded Bubbles & Texas for the first time. They got great reviews bit sigh of relief from me! Hope moved onto the last stage of her training, and we enjoyed our time with Victoria. 

December

A mass of dogs,work, graduation, and trips. Well and you've all read about it here. Wow is it just me or are the years getting shorter??

Looking forward to next year, I've got a lot cooking just starting in January...STAY TUNED!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Happy Adoption Day

Today 1 year ago, Texas officially became a part of our family. It has been quite the roller coaster ride,and I can defiantly tell you there is a good reason I have him.

After the first couple of months, my dad wanted me to give him up, his high pitched scream would go on for hours while crated, he was/is extremely reactive on leash, in my car and at the door. While he is wonderful with people he knows, he is extremely wary of strangers and would rather bite first and ask questions later.

He's defiantly a trainer kind of dog, and has forced me to learn more about dogs, training, aggression, desenzitation etc..

We first tackled his separation anxiety, I did it the hard way truthfully, I could have let him learn that the crate was a great thing, with treats and toys; but I mainly just put him and left. Which worked...eventually but it was a long and loud process. Once I saw the error of my ways, we went back and re taught him, and now he LOVES his crate. I just tell him "kennel" and he dashes for one of the five crates. :))

While his behavior was difficult, he learned new things sooo quickly, he got to be my clicker guinea pig, and LOVES it. Training sessions are always funny as he'll throw behaviors before I'll even finish cuing them. He knows; "Sit,Down,Wait,Come,Leave it, Up, Spin, Roll, High Five, Shake, Get em' Tex (A bad command for a reactive dog, but I can't help it), Go to your bed, Kennel"
Its a challenge find new things to teach him! (Ideas anyone?)

I can say that he has improved GREATLY, and if I could spend some more time at home, we could make sooooo much more progress. But that is on the to do list for next year.

He has been a great companion for Bubbles, and truthfully the two are inseparable. 

He spent his first weekend boarding this weekend. I was very apprehensive about how he would do, but figured I'd get a phone call if he'd bit anyone. (He's less reactive out of his territory) 
When I went to pick them Up I asked how he did, and the guy who hauled their crate to the car for me, said they were very good, and didn't bark. Could've knocked me over with feather.

Have I mentioned the word progress lately?? I love this little guy!

Happy (BELATED) Birthday Texas!!!

*spanks hand*

Yes I feel bad for forgetting his birthday,but I seriously don't think he even noticed/cared. I know he doesn't actually.. But July 5, Texas turned 1!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEXAS!!

News {by Erin}

We have news!
Not really what we wanted to hear, but it is news nonetheless.
Midnight is going IFT sometime around the first week of November.
While this is a sad thing for me, Midnight is such a good dog,
I can't deny her the chance to change someones life.
I can't make her stay home all day when she could be keeping someone out of danger, giving them joy or a reason to live.
I just can't do that.
I also don' t know how I'm going to last six months without a puppy.

Also I have some news about Rei ...my last puppy in training..you can ready about that here -> {CLICK HERE}

In the meantime, we're going to enjoy the last couple of weeks we have togethor...which also means a lot of running around for me, as I try to make sure she sees everyone who has been in her life before she leaves. That should be a challenge.

About Turn Ins {by Erin}

Since Midnight dropped the bomb shell in her post, I will go ahead and fill you guys in on the nitty, gritty, details. Basically Midnight's time with me is drawing to a close, even though she hasn't been with me a full year. Midnight is being looked at to become a breeder, but since she has developed allergies, they (the higher powers at GDF), are trying to decide if that's what they want to use her for.If they decide to use her, she will be leaving me within the next couple of weeks.If they don't she will go next month.And if they take her out of the program completely; theM she'll just stay forever and ever. :-))
I'm going through the normal range of emotions right now...more so because Midnight and I have a really strong bond, and this turn in couldn't come at a worse point in my life. I'd LOVE to keep her as a pet if given the chance, but I am trying not to get my hopes up that they will take her out of the program. I know that sounds selfish but for right now...I'm sorry that's just how I feel... on the other hand I do feel bad KEEPING her knowing how she could impact someones life. ANYWAYS....Have no fear, I will be raising another guide dog puppy regardless if she goes or stays; but since we are moving to another state, it won't be until March or April. And for someone who hasn't been without a dog for the last two years...these next six months are going to be TOUGH. But as a dear (non-dog person) family member has stated so callously...I'll survive.

For those of you who aren't familiar with what Formal Training is...here is an explanation from the Foundation itself:

WHEN YOUR PUPPY WILL BE CALLED IN
Your puppy may be called in anytime between 12 and 16 months of age. You will receive a call from the Puppy Department telling you the date that your puppy needs to report. The age at which your puppy is brought in is determined by the Puppy Department.
When you bring your dog in, bring with you a copy of your puppy’s veterinary record, its puppy coat, crate, and heartworm medication. Once your puppy is here, he will be kept in a certain area of the kennel for the first week or so to be observed. Your pup will have free time daily, as well as the companionship of a roommate and the attention of our loving staff. Foundation kennel volunteers also will spend quality, one-on-one time with your dog.
During the first few weeks, your puppy is examined by our staff veterinarian for routine treatments and a heartworm test. Its health history is reviewed and monitored closely by our staff of professionals.

THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Your puppy will be assigned to a team of trainers. The team will consist of an apprentice (who has started the three-year apprenticeship program); a trainer (who has completed half of the training program); or an Instructor (who has completed the program and is qualified.) Apprentices and trainers are always supervised by an Instructor, and they work closely together.
Each training staff member has a string of dogs, usually 8-10. The trainers work in a team so that they can learn the personalities of their dogs. This enables the training staff to have a good selection of dogs to match with the needs and personality of each student.

Phase I is the foundation on which the other three phases build. All of the material from Phase I is reinforced and new material is added as the dog progresses through training. All of the training phases may vary in length depending on the dog and the trainer.
In Phases I and II, the training is started in quiet areas and slowly progresses to busier areas as the dogs become more competent at their work and comfortable with their given constraints. The first two phases can be described as the conditioning period.
By the time a dog enters Phases III and IV, they are guiding with some consistency and are able to apply their previous conditioning in varying situations. During these final phases, the dogs are brought into more complicated training areas, such as the city. Instructors are still conditioning the dogs, but are expecting a higher level of performance. By the end of Phase IV, most dogs should be ready for class and working as guides.
This is a basic outline of the tasks that need to be accomplished within each phase:
Phase I: Long leash walk, reacting well to traffic, people, etc.; noise test for sound shyness; short leash walk along a straight line; obstacle work and curb stops; basic obedience; introduction to dormitory work, including stairs; possible introduction to elevators and escalator
Phase II: Introduction to the harness; obedience and dormitory work continued; straight line concept reinforced; introduction to elevators and escalator
Phase III: City/subway training; traffic training; escalator; off-curbs
Phase IV: Final traffic; blindfold evaluation

CELEBRATION SUNDAY
When your puppy has been matched with a visually impaired student, and the team successfully completes the training program, it is time to celebrate! Your love, dedication and care has enabled this puppy to grow into a confident adult who has demonstrated that he is able to make decisions, has self control and has a low level of distractibility so that a visually impaired person can travel safely and independently.
Many people have worked to successfully match this team: the Guide Dog Foundation staff, including the Breeding, Puppy and Training departments; the Puppy Walker; the dog’s sponsor; and the consumer. All of those people who have nurtured and supported this puppy have given a gift that is priceless.

HOME TRAINING
If your dog is chosen for home training (when the student is trained in their home area and not at our Smithtown campus), you may not have the opportunity to formally meet the blind handler. You still could be in contact with the dog’s new handler, should you wish to.

PUPPY MEETING - OCTOBER 16, 2008

{On our Way}

{SAM and his raiser...also my A/C}

{Penny - Rei's half sister- and her raiser}

{Our group gather togethor}

{Midnight practicing her Down/Stays}

{My Pretty Baby...also the star the class..hee hee}

{Mom can i have that ball?}

{Neil lying down}

{Sue would be the class clown...that is not a negative comment ;-) I may be watching her over Thanksgiving...if its ok with Pops :-)}

{Sue is a pretty Golden}

{"Puppies STAY"}

{"Stttaaayyyy"}

{"Hey you too! Cut it OUt!}

{Oh dear I embarrassed her}

Hello {by Midnight}

Hello Doggie Pals!
Nothing much happening around here this week. Mom and I have been to work EVERYDAY this week, not that I mind of course!! But other then that nothing exciting to talk about.
Mom did a scrapbook layout this week about the last two years, can you believe it has been two years since she started puppy walking?! Of course two years seems like forever to me.
Mom has been kind of weepy lately, something about me leaving...? I have no clue what she's crying about; that said I'm going to go take a nap, all that playing with my friend Cain (Boxer puppy) has worn me out.

Ta Ta!

Midnight
ZzzzZZZzzzZzzZzZz

October 7-9, 2008 {by Erin}

Thought I forgot to post didn't you!! No such luck people ::grins::
Tuesday night, Midnight and I were able to give a guide dog presentation to a local 4-H Club. I was very excited about it, because my favorite subject is of course dogs...guide dogs.. and I am one of the few teenagers who actually enjoy public speaking.
But it would help to be prepared as well. The thing is, the 4-H agent in charge, had spoken to me in late August about speaking for her club, and planned it for their October meeting, as Midnight was in heat at the time. September went by, we kept busy and the presentation was closer to the back of my mind then it should have been....So on Monday, I am the Dollar Tree..shopping :-) when my phone rings. The number on the screen is not familiar but I answered it anyways.
As it turns out, guess what!!! Tomorrow's was the big day!!!
I went into hyper drive then...no I don't panic easily, but I started going over the list of things I needed to do.
Print out my speech, gather table decor, get some baby pictures of Midnight printed....etc
We get home and I immediately start attacking those things. By Tuesday afternoon, i have re-written PARTS of my speech, ordered pictures, bought posters and tape, and driven to my area coordinators house to pick up some puppy walking brochures.
Then the trouble started.
Once I got home, I realized that the pictures had not uploaded to CVS's site at all so I began reloading them. I start printing out my pages and things for my posters..and my printer runs out of ink!!!
On top of that I only have half of my speech on paper; I transfer the file to a flash drive, and run upstairs to our Dinosaur ..aka 10+year old computer,but Oh yeah, it doesn't have Word on there...back down stairs, save it as a Rich Txt file.UGH this computer not even recognizing my drive!Back downstairs, Google Docs! (Have I mentioned how I love Google?)Save it there...ok this might work...except something....the ERROR?!?Back downstairs....... Ok...send it as an email.Upstairs...oh yeah..heh, I unplugged the printer for my flash drive. DUH ERIN.
Finally the speech is printed..But my mother had the car,...with my other supplies in it.
My phone rings once again...my mom is at CVS...and the never received my picture order.. a quick glance at my screen showed me that I had never finished the order to began with.
So it was time for Plan B. What is plan B? I only had about an hour to come up with something!!
20 minutes till depature, and it hit me! My laptop! DUH!!!!!
Since the group I was to be speaking to was only 15-20 people large, I could slide show pictures of my puppies while I talked about them!!! Whooooo. (Have I mentioned I love my laptop....even though it is a PC?)
My family came along for moral support; this was the first time my dad had been able to hear my presentation as well.
The presentation went very well; Midnight did all her commands on que, and the Q and A session lasted about an hour or so!! Everyone seemed very interested in the Puppy Walking program, there may even be a couple people considering raising a pup!



Afterward the club president came up and gave me two envelopes...inside...? A $15 gift certificate to Starbucks and a $25 certificate to a pet store in town!! I was very surprised and of course grateful! Even after the meeting was over people still stood around and asked questions, and looked at my scrapbooks, and played with Midnight for at least 30 minutes. It was a lot of fun.

Oh just to make the day a little better? A little while later I found out my debit card was/is missing.

...Vet Trip #3 {by Erin}

And Once again this month, we "pack our bags" and head back to Midnight's "favorite" place.
I was told to have her check out again, because she hadn't stopped itching/chewing herself.
But the second verse was the same as the first. I don't know what to do people?!
We saw a different veterinarian, and he said the same as Dr.Scott; gave her a stronger injection and we were on our way. Midnight did a lot better this time round as well, I brought treats with me so that helped distract her mind from the "scary" place. She did start shaking when the vet came in, but after that she was cool ;-).
So the report is in my adviser's and area coordinators inbox and we'll wait and see what happens.
Personally I don't think she's going to be a breeder candidate anymore....I'm not too sad about that :-))
Tomorrow another post :-)) I know two posts in one week..shock and surprise.