Jumping the Gun

It is really easy for dogs to get habituated to behaviors. For instance, if you ask your dog to sit every time before he gets fed, eventually he will sit in that situation without you saying the command. If the door to exit your house is a switch door, it won’t take too long before the dog is leaping around to your right side even as you are approaching the door.

While you might think this is a cool trick and downright handy, it’s actually not such a great behavior for guide dogs. With the exception of intelligent disobedience, our dogs should always wait for commands before doing something. There are several reasons for this:

1) the most basic reason is that, with the exception of intelligent disobedience, the human handler is the decision maker in the guide dog team. The handler issues a command, the dog executes the command and then waits for the next command. We don’t want the dog to start moving or turning before the handler is ready.
2) In puppies, waiting for commands helps the pups learn to focus on us as handlers. It increases their work focus in general and sets the pattern for how we will work with them as adults.
3) If dogs are allowed to choose what and when to do something, they sometimes make the wrong choice. Or, more accurately, they don’t choose want WE want to do. For instance, even though I usually turn left out of my house, today I want to go right. Or perhaps I am carrying something in my right hand and need to rearrange everything before asking the dog to switch.

Watch and make sure your dog isn’t jumping the gun. Here are some common situations to watch for:
- After a return to heel, if you don’t tell the dog to sit, he shouldn’t sit. Mix it up. Sometimes have him sit and sometimes don't.
- Don’t let the dog switch at doors until you issue the command. If he starts around, quietly tell him “no”, gently place him back in the sit on the left side and wait until he holds the sit before you tell him to switch.
- At doors, vehicles or the crate, don't let the dog move in or out before you say the command. Don't let the dog go on your body language.

And here's the caveat: remember that this is something you have to teach your pup. It takes time. When your pup starts demonstrating automatic behavior, use very easy corrections to teach them to wait for commands. Keep it positive and light. We don't want the pup to become afraid of making a mistake. Just keep repeating the puppy raising mantra: I'm raising a happy, well-socialized dog who loves to work with people.


Now, if I were queen of the world, a dog on leash would never perform a command before I issued the command. However, here in the real world where we all live, there are two circumstances where I will let an automatic sit go: sitting for food and sitting at doors. In both cases the sit promotes the behavior we want to see in those situations: control. The dog is not moving unexpectedly, he is not performing an action. It is a passive behavior that doesn't adversely affect the handler.

Jumping the gun is certainly not the worse thing your pup can do. However, the concept of waiting for commands is at the heart of his working relationship with people. If he learns early on how the game works, it will make his transition to guide dog work much easier.

Well, Excuuuuse Me!

Have you ever done this? You command your pup to do something - sit, down, stay, whatever - and when he doesn't comply you make an excuse for him. Come on, be honest! "He's (hot, tired, distracted, bored, too full of energy, about to go into heat, running on hormones, etc)"

Be careful that you don't fall into this trap of making excuses for the dog. Once a dog understands a command fully, there is no reason to cut him any kind of slack. For one thing, you actually make it much more difficult on the dog. Instead of the protocol: "sit means put your butt on the ground each and every time I say it" you now have the confusing protocol of "when I say sit, sometimes you have to do it and sometimes not". This is not fair to the dog at all.

Secondly, guide dogs can't offer up excuses for not following commands (except for intelligent disobedience, of course). I wouldn't want to depend on a dog who is used to getting away with blowing off commands as the spirit moves him. If I'm in a meeting or a restaurant or wherever, I don't want to have to debate whether the dog will do a down stay.

It's true that sometimes the environment makes it more difficult for the dog to comply with a command. You might be on a slick floor where the dog has a hard time maintaining a sit. Or it might be brutally hot and all the dog wants is to lie down. In those cases, command the dog to do whatever behavior he will be successful with. Just don't let the dog decide what to do.

Now, making an excuse is not the same as making an accomodation for a puppy. You absolutely have to make accomodations for the age and attention span of the babies. Puppies who are learning commands have to be shown what to do again and again. And they have to learn, through repetition, that they must comply no matter what is going on around them. Go heavy on the praise and light on the corrections as a pup is learning. If you are consistent and always make the pup comply when you give a command, the pup will learn much faster and will eventually comply the first time, every time.

Sit Stay Give!

The Puppy Department is now the proud owner of our very own biscuit meter! If you don't know what a biscuit meter is than you probably haven't visited www.sitstaygive.org. Go there now and hit the "Search" button to watch the competition (okay, it's not really a competition...or is it?).

Take 10 minutes to set up your own Sit-Stay-Give page to raise money for the 2010 Walkathon. It's painless, promise!

First 100 Puppy Raisers to set up their own page win (drum roll please) another puppy to raise!

October Class Matches

Congratulations and THANK YOU!

Marty 5K7 BLxG/M – Raised by Maria Lindquist, St. Petersburg, FL Area

Jack 2J8 YLxG/M – Raised by Susan Brewster, Pensacola, FL Area

Chevy 10K7 BLxG/F – Raised by Sherri Booker, Atlanta, GA Area

Lucy 8W7 YL/F – Raised by Karen Shearer, Daytona/Orlando, FL Area

Max 1O7 ASM – Raised by Kathy Vande Logt, Gainesville, FL Area

We expect to have two returning graduates join this class - so stay tuned for additional matches!

Southeastern Guide Dogs goes 24/7

About a month ago, we implemented a significant new staffing protocol in the kennels. Our kennels are now staffed around the clock, 7 seven days a week. This has had a positive impact on our dogs and our mission in several ways.

The most obvious is that the dogs are now under constant supervision. Dogs that are recuperating from surgeries can be monitored hourly, if needed. Medications can be administered more effectively. The feeding schedule is more in sync with a "home" schedule. The dogs get additional run times later into the evening, which means more relief opportunities, which means maintaining their housebreaking, which means cleaner kennels.

A nice bonus to all this, from a training perspective, is that trainers are no longer cleaning kennels in the morning. On the old schedule, the entire training and kennel staffs would clean the kennels first thing, then feed and run the dogs. This entire process took upwards of 2+ hours, which was 2+ hours every day that we weren't training dogs.

Now, when trainers arrive at 6:30am, the dogs have had their first run of the day (a quick one, just to relieve) and are ready for breakfast. Trainers feed their dogs and administer any medications. This usually takes about 30-45 minutes. Then we load up dogs and head off to our training locations. This added training time each day allows us to train more dogs, do longer routes or train in multiple locations, depending on where we are in the training cycle.

None of this would be possible without the commitment of management or the
work of the kennel assistants and specially trained volunteers who work in three shifts over the 24 hour day. And a special hat tip to the staff members who work the overnight or weekend/holidays shifts.

This is just one example of several new initiatives that have either begun or are in the works. Stay tuned for future posts on the subject.

Annual Puppy Raiser Survey

Calling all Southeastern Guide Dog Puppy Raisers!

Are you currently raising a SEGDI puppy or recently turned one In-For-Training? We want to hear from you through our annual online Puppy Raiser Survey. Southeastern Guide Dogs is committed to the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of the organization, including our Puppy Raising Program. Results generated from past surveys have helped us identify new, innovative ways to improve how we support our Area Coordinators and Puppy Raisers.

If you have already completed the online survey - THANK YOU! Didn't receive the link to the survey or accidentally deleted it? No problem! Email your Area Coordinator or Puppy Raising Services staff and we'll provide you with the survey link.

We sincerely appreciate and value your input!

September Class Matches

Congratulations and Thank You!
(Check back soon for an update on the matches for two students who arrived this weekend.)

Emma 5W7 BLF – Raised by Gainesville IMPACT and Jack & Joyce Guilfoil, Ocala, FL Area

Rusty 4W7 YLM – Raised by Gainesville IMPACT and Janet Daniels and Jennifer Privateer, Ocala, FL Area

Oreo 6A8 YLF – Raised by William & Linda Keele, Sarasota, FL Area

Dodi 3L7 BLF – Raised by Mary Copeland, Sarasota, FL Area

Bingo 4U7 VF – Raised by George & Margaret Horvath, Winter Haven, FL Area

Otto 4O7 ASM – Raised by Sue McIntyre, Winston Salem, NC Area

Home Placement
Buttons 1N7 BlxGM – Raised by Jennifer Galdwin, Pensacola, FL Area

Wagging While You Work

So the other day I was working Everydog and as I cruised down the sidewalk I became aware of something brushing my left leg. I went to swat it away and I realized it was the dog's tail. She was wagging her tail so enthusiastically it looked like windshield wipers on high. She never stopped wagging the whole route. Now, that is a dog who enjoys her work.

I love all our dogs, but I especially enjoy happy dogs. These dogs can't wait to go to work. They stretch their necks out to get the harness put on and you get the distinct feeling that working for you in that harness is the highlight of their day. Where does that come from? Well, some of it is just their in-born personality. But I am convinced that some of it comes from their experiences with puppy raisers. If you enjoy working with your pup, then he will enjoy working with you. Bringing out the leash and puppy coat should signal to the dog "Laissez le Bon Temp Rouler!" (Let the Good Times Roll)

How do you communicate this to your pup? A big part of it is praise (you knew that was coming, right?) The dog has to know that you're pleased with him. But I also think some of it comes from your demeanor. Are you having a good time with the dog?

Now, there are days where everything is going wrong, you're late, the car won't start, the cat threw up in your shoes and that darn puppy is working on your last good nerve. Dealing with a puppy can be frustrating on a good day. Can you keep your cool and still manage a happy praise voice when the puppy (finally) does something right? You can? Fabulous. No? Well, we've all been there. Take a deep breath - this too shall pass. Or perhaps this would be the time to practice some crate training with the pup, at least until you can regain some sanity.

Think about it this way. It's much more fun to work for a boss who enjoys what they are doing, isn't it? Our dogs work really hard for us. Let's make it an enjoyable experience for them.

Tweet

Have you been wishing and hoping that you could get Trainer's Diary updates on a daily basis? Maybe delivered straight to your phone? Well, it's your lucky day. I am now on Twitter. If you are not familiar with Twitter, it's basically short text messages that I can post to my page and anyone who wants to follow along can receive them as I post them. I can also post links to pictures of, say for instance, IFT dogs. So, if you are interested in hearing how my day is going as I work with the dogs, then just click on the Twitter button on the right side of this page.

Underfootings

Guide dogs need to be able to do their job in all kinds of environments and that includes being comfortable on different kinds of underfootings. By underfootings I mean anything that they might step on during an average day. Metal grates, wooden decking, rubber mats, astroturf mats, plastic sheeting, slick tile. You should be exposing your pup to all types of underfootings, but allow me to emphasize a few of them.

Wet grass and puddles: Occasionally we get dogs who do not like to get their feet wet. This comes back to haunt a guide dog user in a couple of ways. One, the dog won't want to go on to a wet relief area. Two, it's very common here in Florida for puddles to form at curbs after a downpour. Now, you might think that a blind handler would appreciate a dog that doesn't just plow through puddles. True enough. But sometimes the only safe route is through the puddle. A dog that doesn't want to walk through the puddle will often try to leap over it. This is very dangerous, especially at curbs.

Moving surfaces: By this I mean anything that moves slightly as you walk on it, like an uneven board or a floating dock. Ramps are another good example because they often vibrate slightly as you walk on them.

Striped tile. This is somewhat uncommon, but we have had dogs who refuse to walk over a large dark stripe in the tile at the local mall. Perhaps it looks like a big ditch to the dog. The point here is that underfootings can be a visual issue, also.

So what can you do with your pup? Start from Day One exposing him to various surfaces. Put down plastic tarps, the metal grates from an old grill or crate, cardboard, floor mats - anything different than grass and concrete. Get a small wading pool and put an inch or two of water in it and let the pup walk around. As always, don't force or correct a dog onto an underfooting. But if you start doing this when they're babies, you can just gently place them on the surface and then give them lots of praise. Make it a fun place to be. When you are out and about with them on a rainy day, plan to get your feet wet. Walk through puddles and wet grass. Again, lots of praise when the dog complies.

Being comfortable on a variety of surfaces is important for a guide dog and this is best accomplished when the dog is young. Please remember to include underfootings on your outings.

Career Change Dogs

As much as we would like to make every puppy into a guide dog, that’s just not possible. As we’ve discussed before, there are sometimes medical, behavioral or temperament reasons why a dog can’t become a guide dog. When that happens, the dog is career changed. But that’s not the end of the story. Once a dog is career changed, there is a set process that determines where the dog ends up.

The dog is first evaluated for work as a Therapy dog. These dogs live with able-bodied handlers who take them into facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices or schools. These handlers can either be volunteers or paid personnel on staff at a facility. The dog can also be considered as a Personal Therapy dog. These dogs live with someone who has a specific disability. In either case, the dog must pass certain criteria to be placed as a Therapy dog. Once the dog has been certified as a Therapy dog, he receives a Southeastern Guide Dogs Gifted K9 jacket and is placed with a handler. (Our Gifted K9 Therapy dogs do not qualify as service dogs under ADA guidelines and therefore are not guaranteed access to public buildings.)

If the dog is deemed unsuitable for therapy work, he is evaluated for law enforcement work. This is most commonly arson or drug detection. If the dog is chosen for this program he lives with his law enforcement handler.

If it is determined that the dog is not suitable for either therapy or law enforcement work, the dog is offered to the puppy raiser. If the puppy raiser decides not to adopt, the dog is made available for public adoption. If the dog can’t be placed with an appropriate family in a timely fashion, the dog is available for adoption by Southeastern staff.

One thing to note about this process is that puppy raisers are eligible to be Therapy dog handlers. If you are interested in using your career changed dog as a Therapy dog, you must submit a Gifted K9 application prior to your dog coming IFT. Then, be sure to include the fact that you are interested on your final evaluation.

If you are interested in the Gifted Canine application, please contact Rita Princivalli.

July Class Matches

Congratulations and Thank You!
Updated on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Sebastian 3X7 YLM – Raised by Vicki & Ted Moore, Dallas, TX Area

Audrey 7I7 YLF – Raised by Peggy Banchy, Cocoa Beach, FL Area

J.J. 1DD6 BLxGM – Raised by Louise & Joe Henry, Hendersonville, NC Area

Gilly 4Y7 BLM – Raised by Carey & Missy Leslie, Dallas, TX Area

Sherman 3N7 BLxGM – Raised by Rebecca Hall, Charlotte, NC Area

Amsie 3W7 BLM – Raised by IMPACT and Linda Brown, Gainesville, FL Area

Mark 3Y7 BLM - Raised by Carol Shipley, Dallas, TX Area

Home Placement:
Lindsay 6I7 YLF – Raised by Linda Breazeale, Cocoa Beach, FL Area

Mom, I'm Bored

Here is something I see frequently on evals of older dogs. "It's time for EveryDog to come IFT. He's getting bored."

Well. We can't have bored dogs, now can we? Here are some activities you can do with your almost-ready-for-IFT dog.

- Movable Feast. Try feeding your dog in different locations. Start with different places in your kitchen and then your house, then move to your garage or driveway or deck. Get the dog used to eating wherever his bowl is placed. Now, I can hear you already. "My dog doesn't care! He'll wolf it down no matter what!" Yeah, the Labs and Goldadors probably won't have a problem with this. But if you have an exotic (Vizsla, Collie or Aussie), then I would definitely try this exercise.

- By the time your dog is nearing IFT, you've probably put his collar and jacket on a thousand times. But can you do it with your eyes closed? I love this exercise. It really points up how important it is for the dog to sit still while he "gets dressed." It also gets the dog used to being clomped in the head with buckles and straps.

- Blindfolded obedience. Pretty self-explanatory. Be sure to do a recall exercise. Does the dog come and sit close enough that you can easily reach him? On sit or down stays, can you tell whether he is holding the stay? How about that return to heel?

- Eat your dinner on the floor. Yeah, really. Grab your plate and sit on the floor. Will your dog maintain a down stay near you? Without commando crawling or drooling so much that you both float away? Be sure to have his training collar on and leash attached so you can give any needed corrections. Guide dogs should have minimal interest in people food and the thought that anything that goes into your mouth might instead make its way into his mouth should be strongly discouraged.

These are just a few ideas to stave off pre-IFT boredom. Now, let's hear your ideas!

Facebook has gone to the dogs!

It was bound to happen sooner or later - Facebook has gone to the dogs!

Southeastern Guide Dogs just launched our very own Facebook page. Connect with other Puppy Raisers and the rest of the SEGD family at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southeastern-Guide-Dogs/92490953062.

We'll meet you there!

Have you hugged a Veterinarian Partner today?

Veterinarians are a critical part of the “making of a good guide dog”. Southeastern Guide Dogs recently launched our Veterinarian Partners program, designed to recognize and honor the outstanding contribution veterinarians make to the Southeastern Guide Dogs mission of providing freedom and independence to the blind and visually impaired.

Our Veterinarian Partners (VP’s) all donate services at some generous level, ranging from a 30% to 100% discount. Our “Platinum Partners” donate 100% of all services – routine and non-routine. That’s right, everything is covered. Stop and think about this for a moment. A business, in this economy, has agreed to donate their valuable staff time and resources to benefit someone they will never meet.

We launched the Veterinarian Partners program on July 1, and within 72 hours our fax machine was cranking out new contracts, and within one week we had five Platinum Partners. I didn’t recognize a few of the Platinum Partner names and thought perhaps they were new to the organization, nope, it’s because they've never submitted an invoice – they’ve been caring for our guide dog puppies in training for years and have asked for nothing in return. As of today, 71 veterinarians have returned contracts committing to partnering in our mission. If that doesn’t make you want to hug a veterinarian, I don’t know what will.

Okay, I’m not really suggesting you hug your veterinarian (we may lose VP’s that way!). I am simply asking that we all become more aware and appreciative of the significant role that our veterinarians play in the process of raising a guide dog puppy – and always take time to say “thank you” for their generosity, compassion and the loving care they provide for our dogs.

Trainer's Diary: Countdown to Class

OK, this is it: T-minus 5 days to class. We don't take the dogs out on routes this week. They rest up for match day while we do our last minute preparations for class. For the dogs, the only thing they do this week is get a teeth cleaning and visit the dorm.

Teeth cleaning is just what it sounds like. We check everyone's teeth and those who need it get the tartar scraped off, then everyone gets a brushing. Now, if you don't think it's important to accustom your dog to body and mouth handling, then let me invite you to a teeth cleaning session. Most dogs are great, they lay quietly while we work on their teeth. But there are always a few that turn a 10 minute teeth cleaning into a 30 minute struggle worthy of any Las Vegas pay per view. This is never good for anyone, especially the dog. So please. I beg you. Check your dog's teeth every day and brush their teeth every week. Please get them used to someone mucking about in their mouth.

We take the dogs to the dorm so that they become familiar with it. We put them on tie down in a student room, take them to the dining room, day room, feeding and busy areas. Speaking of the busy area, I hope everyone is relieving their dogs on different surfaces. The class busy area is covered with rocks. It's not a huge area and the rocks are easier to keep clean. Most dogs have no problem with this, but again, there's always a couple that Just. Don't. Like. Rocks. This makes the student's life just a little bit more frustrating and no one needs that.

So that's pretty much it. Training a string of dogs from start to finish. Well, almost finish. We still need to match the dogs and help them and their new person turn into a functioning guide dog team. I will try to continue the Trainer's Diary once we're in class to let you know how EveryDog is doing.

This is it. EveryDog's entire life has been leading up to this. The time, effort and support of over 300 people went into preparing this dog to be a guide dog. Thanks to everyone who is a part of that. But an extra big shout-out to all the puppy raisers - you are the best!

Trainer's Diary: Big City and Blindfolds

Last Friday, we completed our final week of working the dogs before class. On Monday, we went to Tampa to do city work. Tampa isn't Manhattan, but the downtown area is big city enough. Large buildings, 6 lanes of busy traffic, buses, crowded sidewalks, food vendors. The whole deal. If a dog can handle Tampa, he's probably good to go. Some dogs love the city and all the commotion. Some dogs just tolerate it. While we're there we teach the dogs how to go through revolving doors. We ride a 2 story escalator and a glass elevator. We walk over a drawbridge that is one long metal grate that vibrates with the passing traffic. We practice intelligent disobedience. It's a jam-packed and fun-filled day:


Caesar's Joy waits at a curb. Somehow, I managed to get a traffic-free moment.



Gilly works a revolving door.


Amsie and Katie wait for the elevator.

The last part of the week was blindfold walks. It's exactly what it sounds like. The trainers put on blindfolds and work the dogs. We always have another trainer spotting us, just in case (no one wants to break an ankle right before class. Or any other time, for that matter). If there is a final exam for guide dogs, this is probably it. Because, as much as we try not to, as a sighted person, it difficult not to "cue" the dog: subconsciously slowing down at curbs or leaning out of the way of obstacles. Once you are under blindfold, it's totally and completely up to the dog to keep you safe. And sometimes, dogs just fold under that pressure.

Also, your body language changes when you are blindfolded. Personally, I have a hard time keeping my balance when I'm blindfolded, so I tend to go reeling down the sidewalk like a drunken sailor. Also, my whole demeanor becomes more tentative. Naturally, the dog picks up on this immediately and it adds stress. I've seen dogs go a few yards with their blindfolded trainer and actually turn and look up at them as if to confirm it is the same person. This mimics what the dogs go through when they first start working with new students. Even though the students are comfortable travelling without vision, they can be very nervous and unsure about handling the dog. They have to learn how to follow the dog. All of this puts stress on the dog and a blindfold walk shows us how the dog will handle that stress.

So. One more week before class. Still lots to do. Stay tuned.

Unrelated Side Note: We love it when you comment on these posts, but please remember to identify yourself. It is our policy not to post anonymous comments. Thanks!

Parades, Fireworks and Puppies (Oh My!)

Happy Canada Day. I have no idea what that is, exactly, but my calendar says July 1st is Canada Day, so.....Happy Canada Day.

My calendar also says that this Saturday is July 4th (yes, my calendar talks alot. I'm getting that checked out.) You know what the 4th means: parades and fireworks. You might think these would be excellent socialization opportunities for your puppies. And while the crowds might be good socialization, the noise would definitely not be a good thing. We do want dogs acclimated and socialized to noises, but a professional fireworks display with hundreds of people in attendance is just too much to ask of our pups. Yes, there are some dogs who could handle this with no problem, but why take the chance of ruining a dog? Because once a dog develops a fear of loud sharp noises, it is almost impossible to fix that.

Here's the bottom line: DO NOT take any puppy of ANY AGE to a professional fireworks display.

What about small fireworks in your neighborhood? Use common sense and monitor the dog. Start out at least 20 feet from the fireworks and watch the dog's reaction. If you see any negative reaction, take the dog home.

What about parades? If you want to sit on the front row, just feet from the passing bands and fire trucks and floats, then leave the dog at home. However, if you want to use this as a socialization exercise and are willing to make the dog your focus and priority, then please follow these guidelines: 1) stay at least 50 feet away from the parade. 2) Keep a close eye on your pup and if you see any signs of stress, especially from noise, then move farther away or leave.


Feeling guilty about leaving your pup home so you can enjoy the festivities? Don't! Staying at home occassionally is a good thing too.


Thank you for all the hard work you do to help give mobility and independence to people. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Check it Out

Heather Junqueira, our Breeding Manager, has caught blog fever! Check out the new breeding program blog Breed All About It. The link is on the right side of this page, under Recommended Links. Enjoy!

Trainer's Diary: The End is Near!

My, how time does fly. Seems like we just started working this string and now class is less than a month away. It's home stretch time for Everydog. So, let's get up to date: At this point in training, we are holding the dogs responsible for curbs and clearances. We are doing less and less work for the dog, trying to teach him to problem solve. We are working in busier locations, with more distractions. We are starting to get an idea of who will be ready for class and who won't. Not being ready for class is not a negative. The dogs all progress at different rates. Some dogs have a particular issue that needs more work (getting comfortable on escalators, for instance.) Some dogs just need more time to mature (Goldadors, anyone?) We have also inherited the pass back dogs from the trainers that went into class last week. We need to start working those dogs so we can become familiar with them, since they will also be eligible to be matched in our class.

Everydog will have to pass a few benchmarks in the coming weeks to be considered "class ready." Stay tuned!

June Class Matches

Congratulations and THANK YOU!

Alice 12K7 BlxGF co-raised by Marcia Werdenberg & Family and Cheryl Miller – Cocoa Beach, FL Area

Clarke 8M6 YLxGF raised by Susan & Raymond Souder - Hilton Head, SC Area - finished by Diona Boyle - Sun City, FL Area

Dalen 3B7 YlxGM raised by Ricardo Amaro - St.Pete, FL Area

Ellie 3F7 BLF raised by Maggie & Shea Glassman - Atlanta, GA Area

Emma 7H7 YLF raised by Juanita Ingram – Dothan, AL Area

Lady 4J7 YLF raised by Rex Malmberg - finished by Robert Lauer – Orlando/Daytona, FL Area

Parker 8X6 BLF raised by Heidi Reyher - finished by Sue Croley & Bob Minthorn – Tampa, FL Area

Tempo 6H7 YLM raised by Laura Lawson – Winter Haven, FL Area

Home Alone

We all know that the trifecta of puppy raising is house manners, obedience and socialization. And, let's face it, half the fun of raising a puppy is being able to take him almost everywhere. So it might be easy to overlook an important quality that guide dogs must have. They should be able to be left alone without tearing up the place or violating city noise ordinances.

Most guide dogs spend almost 24/7 by their person's side, but occassionally people have to leave the dog at home. They may need surgery or want to go to an event where it would actually be better not to bring the dog (a loud concert or a theme park, for instance.) And, to put an even finer point on it, people who work need to have a dog who won't go ballistic every time they are left alone in an office.

Be sure to acclimate your pup to being alone, especially if he is the type that stays constantly by your side. You know the type - follows you everywhere, would go into the shower with you if you let him. For safety's sake, put the pup in a crate. If your pup has some separation anxiety, you can start with leaving him in another room in the house for a few minutes, then work up to an hour or so. (Remember - don't let him out of the crate unless he is quiet.) Then leave him at home for short periods of time and work up to absences of several hours. Try to leave the pup at home about once a week. This all may take some extra effort, but it will produce a well-rounded dog that is comfortable being alone.

WARNING: CHANGE OF TOPIC AHEAD!

Weather Report: We have 3 seasons in Florida: Miserably Hot, Hot, and Hey, It's Not Too Bad Today. The Not Too Bad season lasts about 3 days. (I may be exaggerating just a tad.) Right now it is Miserably Hot. It's easily 80 degrees by 8am. My point is not to garner sympathy, but to remind everyone that our dogs must work in the heat. This would be a good time to re-read a post I wrote on this subject last year. Check it out here.

May Class Matches

Congratulations and Thank You!

Allen 2B7 YLxGM raised by Lena, Frank & Jenny Cole - Charlotte, NC group

Beacon 1K7 BLxGM raised by Jerry & Barbara Lindley - St.Pete, FL group

Chandler 2K7 BLxGM raised by John & June Connell - St.Pete, FL group (Home Placement)

Clarke 8M6 YLxGF raised by Susan & Raymond Souder - Hilton Head, SC group - finished by Diona Boyle - Sun City, FL group

Doc 1I7 BLM raised by Cathy & Larry Johnson – Ocala, FL group
(Home Placement)

Ellie 3F7 BLF raised by Margaret Glassman – Atlanta, GA group

Gayle 4K7 BLxGM raised by Tricia & Bill Gorham – St.Pete, FL group

Molly 5G7 YLF raised by Darlene Bigham - St.Pete, FL group

Popi 5DD6 BLxGM raised by Donald & Carolyn Furlong - St.Pete, FL group

Sassa 10E7 BLF raised by Carol Ann Keegan - St.Pete, Fl group

Shelby 4G7 BLF raised by Rebecca & Macy Phillips Huff – finished by Scott & Linda Vaughn - Nashville, TN group

Trainer's Diary: Dog Wrestling

Occasionally, we give the IFT dogs a good going over to check their skin and coat for any problems. This involves turning them on their backs so we can examine their bellies. So this thought occurred to me while we were sweating buckets and wrestling dogs that DID NOT want to roll over: daggone, I wish this was easier.

And it can be! You can make it so. Work with your pups from day one on body handling. I know you all clean ears and brush teeth and clip nails and that's great. But body handling should also include letting someone manipulate their legs, feel between the pads of their feet, lift their tails to inspect their backside, and yes, roll them over to look at their belly. Start on Day One gently flipping the pup upside down on your lap. They will struggle, but don't let them get up while they are struggling. Rub their chest or give them a bone to chew on to make it a pleasant experience. Once they stop struggling, wait one second, praise and release them with take a break. Next time, make them wait 5 seconds before releasing and so on. Eventually, most pups will accept this position and won't struggle. As the dogs get bigger, have them lie down and then gently push them over and hold their rear legs apart so you can look at their belly. They should lie still and not struggle. Use one hand to scratch their chest or neck while you are doing this or have a partner help you. After they are accustomed to you doing this, have other people do it. This is a great exercise to do at puppy meetings, by the way.

These dogs will be handled a lot on their journey to guide dog. And once they are with a blind person, it is even more important that they are acclimated to body handling, since visually impaired people inspect their dogs with their hands. Be sure to add body handling to your guide dog puppy's repertoire. Let's leave the wrestling matches to the WWF.

Trainer's Diary: Lightbulb Moment

So about a week ago, I threw a harness on Everydog and we went out for our route. I had absolutely no expectations, because it is still fairly early in training, so when he stopped - on his own - at the first curb, I just thought it was a coincidence of timing. I praised him and off we went. Where he promptly stopped at the next curb. And the one after that. By this time I'm nearly levitating off the sidewalk, I'm praising him so much. Big paycheck, for sure.

This has to be my favorite part of training guide dogs; the time when the dogs start realizing what the game is all about. It's the "Lightbulb Moment". You can almost see the lightbulb going off in their furry little heads. It's so cool because it means they understand the concept of stopping at ALL curbs. Some curbs are flat and some are a step and the dogs figure out to stop at each and every one. And THAT is cool, because it means that I have somehow successfully communicated that concept to the dog.

Now, this does not mean that I am some kind of Dog Trainer Extrodinaire. I've just learned how to communicate effectively with dogs (which is the secret of any dog trainer, by the way). In fact, you do the same kind of communicating with your pups. You communicate the concepts of sit and down and stay and all the rest. You condition them to respond in a certain way to the word "sit" and then teach them that they have to respond that way no matter where they are or what is happening around them. Not only are you teaching them the basics of obedience, you are teaching them how we communicate: command, praise if done right, correction if not. Praise when done correctly. This carries through all the way to the student.

So to whichever EveryRaiser raised my EveryDog: Thanks! Thanks for laying down the basics and making my job just a little bit easier.

Say Cheese!

Puppy raisers we are looking for photos of you socializing your puppies. Whether it is a routine trip to the grocery store, dining in a restaurant, or an extra special adventure, we want to see you and your puppy in action!

The photos will be featured on the Southeastern Guide Dogs main website. We will initially select three photos to feature. If your photo is selected you will be contacted by Stacy Howe, Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Stacy will write a short story to accompany the photo.

We will update the photos and stories every two months so be sure to continue submitting your photos.

Please submit your photos to stacy.howe@guidedogs.org.

IFT Photos

Well, I (finally) remembered to bring the camera to work today. So, let the photos begin:

Emma, Boggie and Kelli get loaded (in the van...)


Gilly


Henry



Emma


Vita



Lucy


Beau

Trainer's Diary: Random Thoughts

So we've finished up a week of working on curbs and lefts turns. Some of the dogs are starting to get it, others....not so much. No worries, they'll figure it out soon enough. I've accumulated some random thoughts over the week and thought I'd share:

Rules is Rules
By now the dogs have figured out that after breakfast and a run, trainers show up with training collars, which means a trip to the van, which means Nylabones in the crates, and a fun day out working. So naturally, everyone's a tad excited in the morning and that makes being quiet and holding a sit-stay while the collar goes on a little challenging. But rules is rules and even excited dogs have to follow the protocols. It is amusing to see the dogs switch at the kennel door. Some of them are so anxious to go they literally leap around to the right side.

And That's Why We Don't Use "OK" Anymore

When the dogs are let out of the kennel runs to play in the yard, they have to hold a stay in front of the open door until we release them with the "out" command. I was standing in front of a run of dogs, monitoring their stay when my training partner told me something. I responded "ok" and immediately the whole run of dogs blasted out of the door. All righty, then.

Here's what it looked like right before they bolted......

Unlearning Curbs

Several of our dogs sit automatically at curbs. This is a huge annoyance because guide dogs don't sit at curbs, so now we have to "unlearn" the dogs and teach them not to sit at curbs. While we're on the subject of curbs, let me stress that puppy raisers should not be doing anything special at curbs. Don't have the dogs sit, don't tap on the curb with your foot, don't correct the dog for stepping up or down off the curb. Just stop if you need to wait for traffic (keep the dog standing) and then proceed with the forward command. Don't stop at the curb across the street, keep moving and get out of the street. The reason is we want the dogs to have a "clean slate", if you will, about curbs when they come to us. We teach them how to stop at curbs in a very specific way, on a specific timetable. If they have been conditioned to do something at curbs (like sitting), then the dogs have to unlearn that behavior as they are learning the proper behavior. It makes it more difficult for the dog.

And finally, here are pix of EveryDog 1 and EveryDog 2 workin' on their "chill" while trainers write records.

Lights! Camera! Awwww!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of several staff members, we are proud to announce the premier debut of our Puppy Cam! Tune in on our home page to see seven sweet goldadores snuggle and snore, wrestle, roll, nurse and more!

Congratulations to "Hope", the mother of this gorgeous litter born on March 25th, 2009.

Guaranteed to make you smile - now why wouldn't you share it with everyone you know?

Enjoy!

April Class Matches

Congratulations and Thank You!

Angel 4B7 YLxGF - raised by Katie Tyler - Charlotte, NC group

Bear 5H7 YLM - raised by Tracee Samuel - finished by Joan Glaraton - Jacksonville, FL group

Breezy 3FF6 YLxGF - raised by Wendy Sawtelle - Sarasota, FL group

Caleb 5C7 BLM - raised by Gainesville IMPACT

Clarke 8M6 YLxGF - raised by Susan & Raymond Sounder - Hilton Head, SC group - finished by Diona Boyle - Sun City, FL group

McIntosh 6C7 YLF - raised by Ellen Cox - Atlanta, GA group

Sir William 7U6 BTSCCM - raised by Jerry & Sonia Mazur - Ft. Myers, FL group

Mercedes 4EE6 BLF - raised by Robert Heggli - W. Palm/Ft. Lauderdale, FL group (Home Placement)

Trainer's Diary: Moving Day

So today was moving day, the day we moved our dogs from the Receiving Kennel down to the Big House, aka, the Training Kennel. Before we moved, everyone got a bath. You know how it is, you want to make a good impression on the new neighbors. So a nice bath, then ear cleaning, then load up the van and move 'em out. We kept everybody in pretty much the same run configuration, so no one had to get used to new roommates. The dogs will be ineligible for dog walking for a few days while they acclimate to the bigger kennel, but by the end of next week they will be going out with dog walkers.

We have completed our routes on campus and are now leaving grounds to work the dogs. First up, the Outlet Mall. This is an outdoor mall that gets very crowded with people, strollers, wheelchairs, small yappy dogs, kids. It's a great place to see what distractions or other issues the dogs may have. This mall is apparently one of the "don't miss" places for tourists because every other person there is either speaking a foreign language or has a Class 3 sunburn. We get a lot of questions and it's a nice opportunity to tell people about Southeastern.

Next week: Curbs. Lots and lots of curbs.

Trainer's Diary: Who's Who

One of the first challenges of starting a new string of dogs is learning to tell them apart. This is easy with Aussies and Collies. Yellow dogs, easy (usually). Vizslas are a little trickier. But black Labs and Goldadors are the hardest. At first, all the black dogs look alike, especially if they are from the same litter. But after looking at them for a few days, the differences start to jump out at you. You notice that BlackDog 1 has lighter eyes than her nearly identical sister. Or BlackDog 2's tail curls all the way over her back. Or BlackDog 3 has a cowlick on his shoulders. Something always stands out that you can use to tell them apart. After a few weeks, they look so different from each other, it's hard to imagine ever thinking they all looked alike.

Trainer's Diary

You asked for it - you got it. One of the top three requests of what people want to see on this blog is more information about what happens to the dogs once they go IFT. Well, my training team just happens to be starting a new string of dogs - how conveeeeeenient. Over the next several months I will post occassional descriptions, pictures, explanations and just plain musings about ours dogs' experiences as we attempt to turn them into guide dogs.

A quick word about the dogs. I am not going use the dogs' real names. This is not because it's some state secret or a "if I told you I'd have to kill you" kind of thing. In fact, without too much trouble, some of you can probably figure out who these dogs are. But all of our dogs go through pretty much the same process, no matter who their trainer is, so I want these dogs to represent every dog. In fact, that is the name I am going to use: EveryDog. No matter what gender or breed, all my dogs will be called EveryDog in this blog.

So, here we go. These dogs came IFT while our team was teaching the most recent class of students. After class ended, we took some time off and are now refreshed and ready to get to work. Now, does this mean the dogs have been languishing in the kennel for the past 3 weeks? Of course not! As soon as they arrived, the Training Assistant began to work with them. The TA is repsonsible for all the new IFT dogs in the Receiving Kennel. He goes over each dog and fills out a checklist, noting their weight, the condition of their ears, skin, eyes, etc. Our Medical Services people start taking dogs in for hip x-rays. The TA also starts teaching everyone proper kennel behavior. This includes eating nicely with your roommates, exiting and entering the runs on command, playing well with others in the yard and of course, no barking. He also does obedience with them and starts taking them on their initial work routes. Dogs are generally worked for one route a day. The first route is done without a harness. This is to get a general idea of the dog's basic personality, before the responsibility of learning guide work is added. He then introduces the dog to the harness and notes any reaction to it. All of the initial routes are done on campus. By this time, the trainers usually arrive back from class.

The day starts at 6am when we arrive. We clean the kennel and feed everyone breakfast. Everyone gets a run in the yard and then we start working routes. Prior to every route, we do a little bit of obedience with each dog; we also give them a quick once-over to check their physical condition and do a short bit a grooming.

If guide dog school is like college, then these early routes can be considered "Introduction to Guide Work 101". We start introducing them to the concept of stopping at curbs. There is very little pressure or responsibility on these early routes. We show them everything they need to do and use lots of praise to make stopping at curbs the most enjoyable thing they will do that day. After every route we make notes in the dog's training log. We note their pace and pull, their energy level, and any distractions or concerns. Depending on the length and locations of the routes, we work between 4-6 dogs a day.

While we work routes, the TA or a kennel assistant is caring for the rest of the dogs. They are run in the yard several times during the day and eat a second meal in the afternoon. The day ends at 4:30 with a kennel full of tired dogs (and trainers). This is pretty much how every day goes. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Stay tuned.......

Redefining Success

I enjoyed a wonderful event this weekend and had an opportunity to visit with dedicated puppy raisers from several areas in Florida. As a relative newcomer to PuppyLand, I’m still trying to take it all in. One recurring comment that seems to echo at every in-for-training and puppy gathering is “I just want him/her to make it.” It got me thinking, how do we communicate success in the Puppy Raising Program? Do you consider your efforts and that of your raised puppy a success only if the dog is matched and becomes a guide dog? That would be unfortunate. Sure, that’s our hope for every dog raised in our program, but that’s not reality. The science of creating the perfect match between dog and human goes well beyond house manners and good obedience. Seeing a student matched with the right dog is a remarkable thing, as is the awkwardness of the opposite. This is not necessarily the dog’s fault, nor the student’s; just not the right match – and certainly not a failure. Our trainers invest a lot of time getting to know each dog, their personality, strengths, weaknesses, stride and motivation. Our Admissions Staff seek this same information from the students, so that we can begin considering the right match sometimes even before the students arrive. The trainers know the relationship between dog and student cannot be forced, but rather patiently nurtured and observed. Perhaps knowing this we can redefine success not as to whether or not a dog was matched and becomes a guide dog, but whether he or she was up to the challenge in the first place.

Campus Update

There's been lots happening on our campus besides producing fantastic guide dog teams. Here are just a few of our recent campus improvements:

Freedom Walk Landscaping
We've completed Phase I of our Freedom Walk landscaping plan - and we're getting rave reviews from staff, volunteers, dog walkers and guests! Future phases include a Sensory Garden, a Circle of Friends Garden and a Memorial Garden, all designed pro-bono by our talented Landscape Architect Jeff Gilchrist. Most, if not all of the plant and landscaping material will be donated or provided to us at cost by a variety of local nurseries, including Turner Landscaping and Tropiflora (the official nursery for Singapore!).

Puppy Kennel Renovations
We have a new puppy kennel - well, not exactly new, but it certainly looks like new with its beautiful new, durable flooring (replacing the old, peeled off surfaces) and fresh, bright paint! Our 20,000 plus guests who will visit the puppy kennel over the next 12 months are certainly going to be impressed.

Medical Services Enhancements
Thanks to grant from a Sarasota-based Foundation and the generosity of our Bradenton puppy raisers, we are adding an ultrasound machine and an incubator to our arsenal of state-of-the-art, on-campus medical equipment!

Jumping = No Joy

Recently, I ran into a puppy raiser (who shall remain nameless) at an event (that shall remain nameless) and when I started to greet the dog (who shall... well, you know), the dog jumped up and nearly smashed me in the face. Since I could see it coming, I moved away in time, but if I had been blind...well, a broken nose would not have been surprising.

Of the many, many things we ask you to teach the puppies, not jumping on people has to be in the top 10. Maybe even the top 3. Getting jumped on by a dog is annoying enough when you see it coming. Being literally blindsided by a dog is downright dangerous. Please do not allow your pups to jump on people. As with any rule infraction, the correct response is "No!" followed by a collar correction.

It is a natural behavior, especially for puppies, to jump on people. This mimics the behavior that dogs and wolves show in packs when the subordinate pack members try to lick the chins and mouths of the top dogs. So start from Day One with your puppy. Enforce the "four on the floor" rule from the beginning, with no exceptions. It won't take the pup long to figure out that he can express all his love and adoration from a horizontal rather than vertical position.

IFT Day: Your Loss, Our Gain

Probably the most difficult day of raising a puppy is the day you return the dog for IFT. You've just spent the last 14-18 months putting your heart and soul into this dog. You've taken a small puppy and lived through housebreaking, hoovering, the teenage years; you've taught the dog numerous commands, taken him everywhere, been with him nearly 24 hours a day. He is now a well-mannered, obedient, confident dog. So naturally, we want him back. It's time to complete his training and turn him into a well-mannered, obedient, confident guide dog. And no matter how much you tell yourself that the dog has a greater purpose in life, that you are giving someone the gift of mobility and independence, it still hurts to give him back. A lot.

So I want to tell you a couple things from the other side of the fence. It may seem like the dogs disappear into a big black hole of a kennel where they are just one namelss dog among many. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone in the Training Department, from kennel assistants to trainers, loves all the dogs and knows them by name and by sight. The KA's especially, quickly learn all the personality quirks of each dog. Throw a name at them and they will tell you anything you want to know about that dog.

Trainers get really excited when their new string of dogs comes in. Before the dogs arrive, we bug the puppy department for the list of IFT dogs and pour over it, looking at names, the breeds. Usually the dogs come in while we are still in class, but once they are here, every training team makes it a point to sneak up to the receiving kennel one afternoon to see their new dogs. These are the dogs that will consume our work days for the next several months. These are the dogs, some of them at least, that will go into class with us and become someone's guide dog.

I guess my point here is that while IFT might be a dreaded and despised event in PuppyLand, here at guide dog school it's much anticipated. We know how much you love the dogs and how hard it can be to send them back to us. We know how much work you put into the dogs. A simple thank you will never be enough, but on behalf of all my colleagues: Thank You. We couldn't do our job without you.

The Village Has Spoken

Thank you for all the responses to our question "what do you want to see in the Blue Coat Journal." The top three requests were:
1) More pictures of IFT dogs
2) More information about what happens to the dogs between IFT and graduation.
3) More information on training tips and techiques for puppies, including what is expected at different ages.

Please watch for all of this and more in future posts. Thanks again for taking the time to respond!

Class Matches

Here are the matches for the current class of students. Congratulations!

Doc 1I7 BLM raised by Cathy Johnson - Ocala, FL group

River 6EE6 YLxGF raised by David & Melissa Longo - St Pete, FL group

Basia 5E7 BLM raised by Becky Heaton - Hilton Head, SC group

Ron 2A7 YLM raised by Aaron Bisberg - Ft. Lauderdale, FL group

Dipaolo 7E7 BLM raised by Denay Payton - Nashville, TN group

Sierra 4A7 YLF raised by Lesa Kretschmer - Ft. Lauderdale, FL group

Jack 2H7 BLM raised by Ed & Karen Morris - South Alabama group

It Takes A Village to Make a Blog

So the Blue Coat Journal has been up and at it for about 8 months now. Time to take stock, don't you think? I want to hear what you think about the blog. Although I find writing for this blog very entertaining, that's not the reason it exists. It's all about you. It's your blog and it should serve the needs of PuppyLand.


So let me have it: what you like, what you don't like, what you want to see on the blog that you haven't yet seen. Please suggest topics that you want discussed, avenues to be explored.


You can make your suggestions two ways: either leave a comment in the comment section (please remember to identify yourself) or you can send me an email at the address listed on the right under "Contact Us". Thanks!

Take a Break? Gimme a Break!

It seems that our switch to "Take a Break" has caused no small amount of consternation and teeth gnashing in PuppyLand. Some of the concerns I've heard is that the phrase doesn't make sense, it's too long, it doesn't always fit the circumstances, or it tells the dog he can act crazy. All are good issues to look at but this might take a few minutes. Comfy? Alrighty, then. Here we go. Cue the Shakespeare allusions.

A Rose By Any Other Name
A lot of you just don't appear to like the words "take a break." I was speaking about this with a puppy raiser from St. Pete the other day and I think she expressed the problem best: people are getting hung up on the actual meaning of the words "take a break". When you understand English, it means "Relax, go do what ever you want. Knock yourself out." Although it may seem otherwise, dogs don't actually understand English. They only understand sound patterns. You could say anything as a command, even a nonsense sound, and as long as you were consistent, they would understand it to mean sit, or whatever. We could use the phrase "cheese and crackers" just as successfully as "take a break" for a release command. It's more important to remember what the command should mean to our dogs: "you are released from the last thing I told you to do. You can do whatever you choose, within established parameters." This is what the command "OK" meant. We haven't changed the meaning of the command, we've only changed the words or more importantly, the sound the dogs are interpreting.

To Take a Break or Not To Take a Break
Another area of concern is when to use "take a break." To decide if "take a break" is appropriate, think about whether the next thing you want the dog to do has a command associated with it. If it does, use that command. If not, use "take a break". Here are a couple scenarios: The dog is on a sit stay to get into a car. Release the dog with another command: "in". On the other hand, at feeding time the dog is on a sit stay while you put the food on the floor. There is no "eat your food" command, so how do you release the dog to eat? "Take a break." I guarantee you that the dog, once released from the stay, will start to eat. It works in the kennel with the IFT dogs. The same thing applies to releasing dogs to play in a yard or when you end a forward walk.

Method to Our Madness
The main point is for the dog to learn that "take a break" means "you are released from the last thing I told you to do.You can do whatever you choose, within established parameters. " The easiest way to teach this is to use it to release your dog from a stay as an obedience exercise. When doing a stay as an obedience exercise, release the dog with "take a break" and take a couple steps forward to get the dog to move. Once the dog moves, praise the dog. Don't be surprised if the dog is hesitant to move at first. I'm sure they are thinking, "Seriously? Is this a set up?" But remember to praise them once they move after the command and they will soon catch on to what "take a break' means.

I hope this has helped. If you still have questions or concerns, please post them in the comments section. Thanks for all you do for Southeastern Guide Dogs!

Being Green Is Kinda Keen!

Recently, CEO Titus Herman informed the Southeastern team here in Florida about some new "green" initiatives that are being planned for our campus:

As responsible inhabitants of this beautiful planet, we are committed to an operation that preserves the environment and maximizes the safety of our staff, volunteers and dogs. While "going green” will be a long-term process, we are very excited about implementing the following new green initiatives.

Green Cleaning Solution
This week, we began testing the effectiveness of a new, 100% natural cleaning solution that will soon replace the bleach and other cleaning products used throughout our operation.

Like bleach, this product is highly effective for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and is being currently used for decontaminating hospital environments.

Unlike bleach, this product is non-toxic and non-flammable, which means a safer environment for both people and dogs. In addition to reducing the risks of skin, eye and other injuries, this product does not require rinsing, which will improve the efficiency of our cleaning protocols.

Since this cleaning solution is also non-corrosive, its use will prevent damage to drains, pipes, floors and other surfaces.

The product comes with handy mixing dispensers, all donated to us by our supplier.

But going green does not mean going broke. In fact, this product is much more cost-effective than bleach – and that is good news for our operating budget.

Green Vacuum and Dusting Material
Our new vacuum cleaner features a washable HEPA filtration system that contains pollutants rather than spreading them to another location – and a quiet motor that puts the old vacuum to shame!

Like the vacuum, our new microfiber dusting material will also contain dust and prevent cross contamination.

Full Recycling
Full recycling efforts will start February 1 with the delivery of new recycling bins from Waste Pro. We’ll recycle plastic, paper, cardboard and glass.

In addition to helping the environment, this effort will help reduce the costs associated with our disposal costs.

More to Come
We are currently seeking funding for several other green projects, including photovoltaic electrical grids and solar hot water technology to power our kennels.

And in the not-too-distant future, we hope to develop technologies that will enable us to convert dog waste into electrical power.

Please join me in congratulating Building and Grounds Manager Brian Burns for his leadership on these initiatives.

Titus Herman, CEO

Charlotte NC group featured

Here is a link to a news story that features our Charlotte, North Carolina puppy group. Enjoy!

Click to view.

OH! bedience

As you know, the trifecta of any puppy raiser is to raise a dog for IFT that is well-socialized, well-behaved, and has good obedience. But is good obedience just the ability to perform sits or downs or stays? Of course not! If it were, I would have nothing to blog about today, right?

Obedience should be viewed as tools that you can use to create a dog that is well-socialized and well-behaved. A dog that will hold a sit-stay cannot possibly jump on visitors. A dog that will do a down-stay for an entire meal will not be a nuisance in a restaurant. And a dog that understands and responds to a verbal "no" is a pleasure to live with.

Obedience is a way to control the dog and enforce the behaviors you want. For instance, we have the pups do sit-stays before and after going through doors. It's not to show off their obedience - it's because a dog that does a sit-stay while you open a door can't bolt through it. Make him sit enough times and that behavior becomes a habit and he gives up bolting.

Another role that obedience serves is to establish a relationship with the dog. It's the way you set up the ground rules of your interactions. Clear, consistant obedience commands that are followed by PRAISE if done right or the APPROPRIATE correction if not is one way you communicate to the dog that you consistent in your expectations, generous with rewards and fair with your discipline. Obedience is one of the first things trainers do with new IFT dogs. We want to establish our working relationship right away and obedience is a great way to do that. It's a quick way to tell a dog "here's what I expect, here's what will happen if you don't comply and here's what will happen if you do. And if you agree to do it my way, we'll get along just fine".

Good obedience should not be confused with "perfect" obedience. And your expectations ALWAYS need to be age appropriate. Your 4 month old dog doesn't sit unless you lean over and put his rump down? Good! She's not gonna. Not yet. Can't get your 7 month old to down on command for love or money? Perfect! He's right on schedule. Your 14 month old, oh-my-gosh-IFT-is-in-2-months-dog won't return to a perfect heel position? Eh. Does he get close? Is he happy when he works? Is he not petrified to make a mistake? Is he well-behave and well-socialized? All right then. Congratulations. You've done your job.

Gifted Canine in the News

Here is a link to a story about one of our gifted canines that appeared in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Class Matches

Another class is underway! The following dogs were matched with our students:

Tahoe YLxGM 2EE6 - raised by Kerry and Linda Bell, St Pete region
Watson YLxGM 3EE6 - raised by Russ and Mary Hillpot, Virginia region
Dave SCCM 4U6 - raised by Gainesville IMPACT
Marie SCCF 9U6 - raised by Kayo and Eric Johnson, St. Pete region
Franklin BLM 3E7 - raised by Valerie Moser, Ft. Lauderdale region
Richie B. BLxGM 4DD6 - raised by Jean and Bill Culp, Ocala region
JJ BLxGM 1DD6 - raised by Louise Henry, NC-Asheville region
Cindy AUSF 7Z6 - raised by Sandy McClellan, TX-Austin region
Elaine YLF 4P6 - raised by John and Joan Shimerda, Sarasota region

Congratulations!

New Team Members

Southeastern Guide Dogs is pleased to announce the following additions to our staff:

New Puppy Raising Services Manager
Kenya Leonard joins us as our new Puppy Raising Services Manager effective January 19.

Kenya brings 10 years of volunteer recruitment, training and supervision experience with Sarasota County Natural Resources, where she managed more than 100 volunteers who participated in the county’s Sea Turtle Protection Program, a program she helped develop in 1998.

Kenya, who has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Purdue University, replaces Karen Mersereau, one of our highly skilled Certified Guide Dog Trainers, who has re-joined our training team.

New Breeding Manager
Assistant Breeding Manager Heather Junqueira has been promoted to Breeding Manager effective January 5.

A licensed veterinary technician with a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine, Heather brings eleven years of animal breeding, training and physical rehabilitation experience. In her new role, Heather will operationalize a new and comprehensive breeding manual; institute new screening protocols for breeder dogs, update our breeding and medical records and databases; and implement superior relationships with breeder hosts and volunteers.

Heather replaces Gwen Gillespie who has left our organization on January 2. We wish Gwen all the best in her future endeavors.

New Puppy Kennel Manager
Michelle Farina joined us as our new Puppy Kennel Manager on December 30.

Michelle brings more than 10 years of management experience and experience in training German Shepherds for showing, tracking and jumping.

Michelle will be working with Rita Gould and our Puppy Kennel staff and volunteers to develop new and innovative ways to make our Puppy Kennel a world-class facility.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, PuppyLand! I hope 2009 is off to a good start for everyone. The end of the year is usually a time for reflection, but I tend to skip the reflection and look forward to the future. However, I would be very remiss not to give you all a very big THANK YOU for all the work you did in 2008 helping us to achieve our mission. We certainly could not put out quality guide dogs without the tremendous effort put forth by our puppy raisers. We don't say it nearly enough, but we greatly appreciate your hard work and are very glad that you are part of the Southeastern family.

I can't think of a better way to kick off 2009 than to feature a puppy raiser. This article is from a local paper in the Tampa area and features Alice Boose, a long time raiser in the Sun City puppy raiser group. Enjoy.