Thursday, December 20, 2007

I can't believe it - Elbert is on the move

Elbert is moving quickly through the phases. He is in #8 now. This is what he is learning:

Phase #8
Continued advanced guidework and obedience training. Intensive indoor mall training with crowds, slick floors and learning to board, ride and exit escalators. Advanced sidewalkless training with obstacles.

Keep up the good work - we are so proud.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

A day at the beach



This was Hooper's first day at the beach in San Clemente. He loved the sand but we stayed away from the water. Didn't want him to be all wet today. Of course, the day was BEAUTIFUL. The sun was out and the breeze was cool. We also took a 2 hour hike - what a perfect day.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Elbert is in Phase #7 - I am so excited

Phase #7
Guidework moves to extremely challenging downtown urban areas (San Francisco and Portland). Training on buses, light rail/subway systems and platform edges. Introduction to low overhead clearances; advanced off-leash obedience. Formal traffic training begins.
Elbert as a baby - Isn't he cute.

Monday, December 10, 2007

'Tis The Season

What these humans make us do!!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Elbert is in Phase #6 now

Elbert is still moving along through his formal training. He has made it to Phase 6 - I AM SO PROUD. I hope his brothers and sisters are doing well too.
Here is a summary description of what he is learning now.
Phase #5
Preliminary guidework testing is performed with the instructor under blindfold. Complete medical history review. Guidework training environments become more challenging: pedestrian traffic, stairs, different flooring surfaces, etc.
Phase #6
Guidework routes in difficult and challenging level work environments. Heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic areas, wide crossings, hectic atmospheres, etc. Introduction to sidewalkless areas and rounded curbs. Continued work in malls, stores and buildings with increasing exposure to varying sights, sounds and smells. Advanced guidework skills such as moving turns. Learning "intelligent disobedience", in which dogs learn to refuse to obey a command if it is unsafe to execute. Advanced obedience training.

Diamonds in the Ruff meeting

We took advantage of the fact that the rain did not fall as predicted.
Turned out to be a beautiful morning.