Phase 8...

Glaze continues to shine as she makes it on to Phase 8!

Phase 7:
-Glaze was taught to make emergency decisions with traffic problems. She learned to decide when to "stop", "hold line", "back up" or "scoot forward" on her travel line for the safety of the team. She learned to maintain position, face the vehicle and to proceed in the original line of direction when the danger has passed. I think this, above all, impresses me the most.
-Trained to inform handler of objects completely blocking a path, then work around it
-Trained to look up and to look out for objects/obstacles over dog's head
-Advanced work routes out and about in San Francisco
-She is now being pre-matched with individual applicants. Yeah!

Phase 8:
-Variety of work environments: country, city, places with no sidewalks
-Intensive indoor shopping mall and store techniques: slower pace, crowded aisles, elevators, escalators, different floor textures, patience and food avoidance situations (hello, food court!)

In this phase Glaze will also receive another health review taking a look at her overall health history.

The fresh, stinging pain of returning Glaze to GDB has scabbed over and is replaced with a swelling pride. I am feeling the itch in the palm of my hand for another trainee...