Career Change

A lesson in never counting your chickens until they're hatched is always a hard lesson to experience. Glaze made it proudly through all 10 phases in formal guide training, but in the end was "career changed". It seems her initial fear response is to bark or cower and these situations were not predictable. This is the final release information from Guide Dogs for the Blind:

RELEASED DATE: 11/2/2009

SUMMARY: Glaze is an intelligent female yellow Labrador retriever with moxi who engages with her handler, yet can be an opportunistic at times. Her "extracurricular interests include other dogs, birds, food and scents. She has been a serious, sometime aloof, worker, yet engages nicely out of harness. She completed the full complement of formal training. Throughout her time at GDB, she was a bit of an enigma; she learned the material just fine receiving solid grades at final testing, yet we questioned whether some of her earlier work challenges were a function of something else. As time passed and formal training progressed, she settled into consistent, reliable work with seasoned and new handlers alike. Within the last several weeks, however, she started woofing at staff from her kennel. To determine whether these reactions were kennel-related or a glimpse into her overall temperament, she worked with a blindfolded staff member in the class setting for a couple of weeks. On several occasions, Glaze demonstrated concern for the environment both in the dorm setting as well as in town on routes. Glaze is currently healthy and eats 3 cups of Science Diet Lamb and Rice daily.

RELEASE REASON: Fearful Behavior Environment Generalized

I still cannot believe how far she made it and am very proud of her accomplishments. I know that these things happen for a reason and that this just wasn't the best job for her. I am anticipating seeing her again, if only to pass her on to a loving home (hopefully, with Lydia). I know she is and will be loved by all who encounter her.

As for my next GDB pup-in-training.... 3rd times a charm, right?

PHASE 10!

I can't believe it! The unsure, rambunctious 9mo old puppy I received in January is nearing the end of her formal training journey. She has truly grown into a steadfast, loyal companion and I am amazed at her progress!

In Phase 9:

-New advanced route work that require advanced decision-making i.e. difficult street crossings, difficult clearance situations, animal distractions, surface issues, curb approach challenges, pedestrian islands, city buses, and rapid transit ride exposure

-Glaze will be worked by unfamiliar and novice handlers to gauge her reactions and confidence

-Final Traffic Testing: Blindfolded instructor led by Glaze, she is tested on several traffic checks requiring all types of traffic avoidance; instructor is unable to predict when checks will happen

-Continued training in sidewalk-less paths, subway and rail system platform drop-offs, barricades

-Customizing Glazes work with a particular client in mind

On to Phase 10:

-Final Obedience Testing: Extensive obedience test with a blindfolded instructor.

-Final Building Testing: With a blindfolded instructor, Glaze is tested on escalators, elevators, stairs and store work through food court areas

-Final Blindfold Testing: Blindfold test on urban streets and sidewalk route of 40-50 min. Obedience exercises required to be shown on the route. If Glaze passes this she will be deemed a "Class Ready Guide". Class ready Guide Dogs are fully prepared to be matched with a student and to begin a 2-3 week "getting to know how to work with you" class held with their client on the Guide Dog campus.

-Final Class Preparations: new collar- sizing and assignment, new harness is prepared

How excited I am for Glaze! I am holding my breath that she will not encounter any hurdles and I am anticipating seeing her once again at Graduation. It will be so satisfying to shake the hand of the lucky individual that will be Glazes working partner and companion.

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...

On a Side Note...

Yesterday, I finally received the formal verification letter from Guide Dogs that Poco, my first GDB puppy-in-training has been adopted! He will always hold a very tender place in my heart and memory as we have experienced many things together. He was with me when my career in Real Estate divebombed and as I started a new position as TA at Gateway School. He was there as I packed up one house and moved to a (temporary) other. We had many a 5am walk -through star lit skies, balmy and freezing weather, and rain. He was (is) reserved but patient and had a deep puppy-dog stare that could melt away any bad mood. I am soothed to know that he has found a home in Alamo, Ca with a patient, experienced woman. I wish them the best in their new adventures together.

Phase 6

Glazey is flying through her formal training as she is now in PHASE 6!

Phase 5:

-Challenging animal and food distractions

-Continuation of obedience and preliminary obedience testing

-Preliminary Blindfold Testing: Instructor under blindfold works dog on a suburban route, distance of about 14 blocks. Glaze has passed this and will now progress to Advanced Guidework Training.

In PHASE 6:

-Difficult distractions detected and worked

-Introduction to new handlers and instructors

-Routes progress to downtown urban areas

-Advanced clearance problems are introduced and situations are set up to teach the dog to disobey a command for the sake of safety (ie. dog will not progress even if handler has given forward command if there is a car approaching or if they have come to stairs the handler has not found)

I am amazed that Glaze has progressed so quickly. In the new expedited training groups she has gotten more than half way through her phases in just 4 weeks! I am so proud of her.

Phase 4!

Well, after what felt like an eternity of no information , I finally learned where Glaze is in her training. My girl has made it to phase 4!!

This means that she has made it through:

PHASE 2:

-Obedience and Distraction Training (learning Heel for the first time as well as practicing sit, stay, down etc) She learned to work through tough distractions like other dogs, food, overly friendly people and scents.

-She was introduced to wearing a harness.

-She learned to run on a treadmill where she learned the commands Forward, Halt and Hopp-Up.

-She was introduced to low height agility obstacles and taught how to place her feet when encountering unusual surfaces as well as stairs and escalators.

-She was walked on leash through gradually more challenging clearance courses with obstacles.

PHASE 3:

-Command reactions encouraged to be more precise. the command Over Here is introduced. The dogs response is to change sides, behind the instructors back, to the opposite side. This will help a blind handler to maneuver the dog safely through heavy doors on the dog's side, revolving doors and store turn stiles.

-She has become comfortable wearing and working in a harness.

-Pattern Training:This is a method of introducing guide work to young dogs in a very positive manner. The instructor causes the correct behavior to happen by cueing the dog before an error is made. These are some guide work behaviors: Stopping at streets, clearing for the handler on the right and left sides, clearing for the handler for overhead obstructions, crossing streets in a straight line, moving forward at a consistent pace, learning the commands Left and Right.

What she's working on now in PHASE 4:

-Continuation in development of reliable responses when faced with distractions.

-Introduction to maintaining a line of travel in spite of a visually impaired handler's natural body movements.

-Establishing a consistent working pace and pull that will be the final pace and pull for the client.

-More difficult obstacle training. Glaze is now guiding in harness through a clearance course. Clearances requiring a stop are introduced.

Although I have become more used to not having Glaze around, I still think of her often. I think one of the hardest things is trying to find a suitable explanation for the littlest munchkins at summer camp as to why Glaze is no longer on campus. Time after time, they ask when she's coming back and every time their little faces fall as I tell them that she is not coming back. One little girl's eyes filled as she asked "Not ever?" My heart breaks every time.

Next Saturday, I will be going to the campus for the annual Fun Day, a day for all puppy raisers to get together to learn and love and talk all about our puppies with those who understand most. It is very much like a new mommies group! It will be very difficult for me to not wander off to the kennels, hoping to catch a glimpse of Glaze.

Phase One

July 13, 2009

Today Glaze starts Phase One in her training. This phase is dedicated mostly to physical health. During her physical evaluation, her hips will be x-rayed and her eyes/ weight will be checked. She will then be assigned a "string" and a specific training kennel. A string is about 35-55 dogs with 5 instructors and 4 or 5 Canine Welfare Technicians, although Guide Dogs has just launched a new expedited training program where the dog to instructor ratio is much smaller and each dog gets twice as many training sessions per day. I hope she is placed in the expedited group.

Prior to meeting her trainer, Glaze's personality and controllability will be evaluated in order to prepare her instructor how to motivate her most effectively.

Of course her days will not be made up solely of intense training. Check out some of her kennel enrichment activities:

-Food-stuffed Kongs (she is gonna LOVE that!)

-plush and squeaky toys

-baby pools

-playground equipment

-Different scents (vanilla, peppermint, lemon etc) sprayed into the kennel

-bubbles

-mirrors

-music (Bad to the Bone?)

-T-Touch, massage and Reiki

-treadmills, campus walks

-cuddle time

Many of these are things I was not allowed to do with her, or wouldn't have even thought to do with her (Reiki? Massage? Scents?) and I know that she is going to be in doggy heaven!

I spent the better part of Sun. de-Glazing my house. Swept up all the fur-bunnies hiding out in the corners and under the furniture. Took apart her crate and cleaned it out, putting it away until a new inhabitant arrives (it's just too darn sad to look into an empty crate). The house is much quieter without her nails clicking around on the floor downstairs, sometimes it's so quiet that I find myself looking for her in all the bathrooms--whenever the house was quiet when Glaze was here it was most likely because she had her head in the toilet, tanking up. I am enjoying my freedom, but am missing her none-the-less!