Five novel exposures

With their status as service dog trainees, our dogs accompany us everywhere.  It is not uncommon, though, to fall into a bit of a rut with repeat exposures to the mall, the grocery store, and the dry cleaner.  So, at a June meeting, we were all given the assignment to find five novel exposures for our puppies -- ideally things that no one else in the group had done.  Creative excursions ranged from a farm to a glass-bottomed boat, a taxidermy shop to a helicopter, and a shooting range to a port-a-potty!

Soozie rides the Ybor trolley....

...and explores new heights of olfactory stimulation!!

Bo is captivated by the view from the glass-bottomed boat.

Becca meets a strangely-stiff bunny...

...and climbs a glass staircase like a pro.

Martha Stewart did not attend...

Our July meeting centered on an activity rather than a special venue, as each current raiser made a plaster of Paris pawprint of his/her pup.  Becca's test run for the project went swimmingly.  Let's just say that some of the other dogs were slightly less-willing participants.  We made a mess, but we had fun (and went home with a keepsake).

Sue and David...before things got sloppy.  =)

Johnetta and Sue double-team Gator.  Sorry, buddy, it's not edible.

Bo goes to Camp

Part of the mission of raising a good guide dog candidate is to assure that the dog doesn't become "hopelessly bonded" to its raiser -- a distinct possibility, given the time we spend together.  At puppy meetings, we often trade dogs during obedience exercises so that they learn to accept commands from anyone at the end of the leash.  Additionally, twice a year each dog goes to a different raiser home for two weeks.  There they experience a different house, different handlers, a different routine, different exposures, and a different family structure.  A dog who is being raised in a childless home might go to a family with kids.  A dog growing up without cats could benefit from two weeks with a cat.

Bo recently went to his second Puppy Camp while his raisers were vacationing.  While there, he had routine outings such as a trip to the credit union,

exciting excursions to shop for freezer treats, 

and special opportunities to thank his camp hosts.

ADA Awareness

In July, the group covered a booth at an event recognizing the twentieth anniversay of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Joanna and Moosette greet our booth's visitors with welcoming smiles.

Breeder, Maddie, proves to Bob (as if he didn't know it already) that dogs are "chick magnets!"

DO NOT mess with the cat!

Monti is a very accommodating "big brother" to Soozie, but enough is enough when it comes to possession of the box throne.

Summertime!

Moosette shares a delightful week with her family at Panama City Beach.  A fine hood ornament.  =)

Your future awaits

The word "bittersweet" was surely coined to describe the advancement of our dogs to Puppy College.  Pride, hopefulness, loss, and uncertainty battle for our attention.  In the end, we know why we do what we do, and we hand our dogs over for their work with their certified trainers.

Godspeed, Becca.  We miss you already.