Elbert is in class!!!

What a relief! I have been anxious about this day coming. I heard that England, Eli, and Emmylou have CC'd. I can't believe how many have CC'd in phase 10.

Graduation is slated for April 12. As we all know, anything can happen, so keep your fingers crossed that we make it all the way.

I am so proud of Elbert

A puppy raiser here in OC went to the graduation of his puppy Cade this weekend. I told John to say HI to Elbert if he got the chance to see him. Well, this is the note I received from John:

"Not only did we see Elbert, but he was a STAR! At the end of the graduation, as the graduates and the puppy raisers filed off the stage, one of the trainers gave a demonstration to the audience on how a guide works. IT WAS ELBERT!! He looked so sleek, proud and confident. I have little doubt that he'll be in the next class."

GO ELBERT!

Congratulations to the "E" Pups

Phase #10
Congrats to Samuel and Kalina - you can be so proud of your "E" puppies. They did very well. I know they don't have the job yet but they are all so close. I think a group graduation with Elbert, England, Emmylou, and Eli would be so much fun. Here is the picture again.

I also heard that Elsa is "with pups" now - she will have her first litter soon and Edison is doing his training "in home".

Hooper is growing up and Elbert is in Phase #9

Hooper is too cute. He is growing up nicely. We also heard that Elbert is now in phase #9. Hooper is looking forward to that too - he has a long way to go.


Phase #9
Final obedience testing including on-leash obedience with the instructor wearing a blindfold, off-leash obedience and distraction response. Final testing of guidework inside buildings (malls, stores, etc.) with the instructor wearing a blindfold. Includes working escalators, elevators, stairs, etc. The dogs are also worked by unfamiliar or novice handlers. Final traffic testing with instructor under blindfold and "real life" traffic situations.

Elbert's phase update

Just heard that Elbert is still holding in Phase #8. As long as he is still in, I'm happy.

All four of these sibling puppies are still in. Go "E" pups!!

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.

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.

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.

'Tis The Season

What these humans make us do!!

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.

Gladys spent the weekend

Hooper and Gladys had so much fun together. They played so much that I needed to separate them from time to time. Gladys is almost one year old.

Elbert's in Phase #4 and Hooper

Hooper is sooooo much fun. I was packing up Sara's computer to send to her in New York and used pillows as padding. Well, Hooper decided to make use of the ones that were left over. Too cute.

We have also been walking to and from the gym in the mornings. Today I did the spinning class while he waited patiently for me. I attached him to a weight so he didn't wander around. I remember having to use heavier weights for Donald - he would drag them across the floor.

Elbert has moved to Phase #4. This is what he is learning:
Guidework training progresses on more difficult sidewalks in busier sections of downtown areas. All curb types and more complex street crossings are introduced. The dogs begin to show clearance awareness, and begin to guide their instructors through the campus obstacle course. Preliminary obedience testing and evaluation of the dogs' reactions to head collars are also performed.

Go Elbert - Phase #3

Phase #3 summary:
Harness training in quiet residential areas; frequent rides in the training vans. Teaching new guide work commands and responses, as well as continuing to work on commands learned in Phase 2. Curb checks and street crossings are introduced. Progressive obstacle course training on campus. Obedience training continues. Mall exposure walks and introduction to dog social sessions. Those dogs who are on the breeder-watch list but are not selected for the breeding program are spayed or neutered.

Elbert is in Phase #2

Here is a general summary of what he is learning now:
Preliminary harness and obedience training. Introduction to distractions (toys, food, other dogs, cats, etc.). On-campus training of leading into harness (pulling forward in harness) and responses to guidework-specific commands." Introduction to campus obstacle course on leash and treadmill training.

Hooper's siblings

You know all mothers like to hear from their kids

I heard from Whistler today. I sent him a Petco card for his birthday and Stacey took him to the store to choose a toy. He chose a rope tug toy.

Whistler's birthday 9/18/03, parents Baker/Westie, graduation 9/3/05, lives and works with Stacey in Bloomington, IL. I was known as "Whistler's Mother".

Hooper and the unsanctioned toy

We got this toy at Downtown Disney - I know it is not a sanctioned toy and Hooper only had it one time. But he heard the squeaky sound and was soooooooo cute about it. It's hard to get toys we can't have - it's like having chocolate chip cookies out when you are on a diet.

Downtown Disney - 9/30/07

One of my favorite Guide Dogs for the Blind events. Here are some club pictures. (click on the picture for a larger view)

Finally heard from Elbert

Elbert is in phase 1 - he has been through the medical checkup from nose to tail and introduced to kennel life. Elbert is not on the breeding watch list.

Go Elbert.