Wicked Good Guide Dogs

Kinley goes to the State House



Doris shared this picture of Carl, Kinley's owner; his wife, Megan; and Kinley at a State House reception last weekend with the governor and lt. governor of Massachusetts. We assume Kinley was on the guest list!

Snow pups

Here are some pics of Ianna and Willa in Ianna's first snow. Gotta love all eight feet off the ground!

 

 

Then here's one of the girls at Schoodic Point (Ianna has the bandanna):

Kessler's 2nd time

Kessler was recently returned to GEB (because his previous owner could not keep him).GEB is working to match him with a new partner.  here's the report Nan received on his training.

GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND

   TRAINING REPORT – PHASE FOUR

 

Dog Name	Kessler		Tattoo		11K306	Raiser's Name
Report Dates		10/30/09		Trainer's Name			Jean Kolor

 

 

For some dogs, the fourth phase follows directly after a month of training in the third phase.  For many dogs, however, the third phase may take many months or the dog may begin to show worry indicating a need to return to more basic lessons or a quieter environment where the dog is comfortable.  Each dog learns at its own pace and must demonstrate a reliable work pattern before it can be asked to handle a more difficult environment or more responsibility.

 

The fourth phase is a time for fine-tuning and also a time for applying learned lessons to new situations.  For example,  they are taught to handle traffic when crossing the road.  You can understand how important it is for the dog to understand curb stops which indicate the road and to make quick straight street crossings in order to find the opposite corner before learning to intelligently disobey a forward command to cross the street if a car is coming or to stop and back up if a car suddenly appears in their path.

 

By the end of phase four, the dog must demonstrate the initiative to take responsibility in all guiding situations.  They must perform reliably and safely each time.  There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the dog to be a responsible guide dog.  Think of it in terms of driving a car.  You might have felt comfortable driving your car on the quiet streets in your town but in New York City where there is so much to watch for, you may feel less comfortable and will likely be a bit stressed.  After experience and, hopefully, successful trips driving in the city, you will eventually begin to relax and feel more confident.  Some dogs thrive on the excitement and challenge of this type of work, others can handle it but not as a steady diet.  How they handle the intense pressure of city work, helps the instructors decide where the dog will be placed.

 

Health  ( X )

Has been healthy

Has had a health problem.

 

	Physical - This is often called the “pre-class physical.”  It does not mean your dog will definitely be selected for class but is the time that the dog receives a thorough re-exam of the eyes, heart and other body systems and a review of the complete medical history to be sure the dog passes our stringent health criteria.
	Dentistry – Each dog also gets a dental check up and gets his teeth cleaned and polished if necessary

 

Notes on health:

 

General kennel behavior:

No problem.

Needs some work.

 

Your dog continues to enjoy community run twice daily, five days a week and continues the work with the instructor assistant on body handling including nail cutting, grooming, and ear cleaning.

 

Notes on general kennel behavior:

 

Training

 

This is the most advanced stage of training.  All lessons previously taught are solidified and applied to new situations and the dog is also taught new lessons.  Your dog will most likely work in some of these places:  New York City including Manhattan and the Bronx for city experience and subway work, Peekskill for uneven sidewalks, White Plains for many applications, country roads without sidewalks around Yorktown and in the Training School building and restaurants for good social skills.

 

(P:Poor  F:Fair  G:Good  F/G:Fair/Good, etc. )               Being worked on.

G	Steady pace and pull.
G	Turns, down curbs and street crossings, clearances, platforms, escalators, revolving doors, stairs, Stores and malls.
G	Remedial problems being worked on to build confidence or obtain proper response in situations such as stairs, under-footings, control with distractions, concerns with noises, people or objects, over-friendliness, etc.  (See Notes.)
G	Blindfold work – The dogs are tested for their reliability by being worked by a blind-folded instructor.  Blindfold work was also done in phase three to identify weak areas that needed to be worked on but there are more blindfold workouts in phase four.
G	Subway and city work – Every Guiding Eyes dog must demonstrate the ability to guide safely in the city and in subways and on all types of transportation before they are ready to graduate.  This environment really tests the dog’s self-confidence, composure and ability to guide.  Pedestrian traffic poses the extreme in moving obstacles, the traffic is so heavy that a sighted person has a challenge finding a safe time to cross the street.  The subway is a noisy and intimidating environment where crowded cars and people rushing on the platforms are commonplace.
	Traffic – Phase I -  The dogs are taught the appropriate response of  backing up when a car get too close. The lessons begin on quiet sidewalks with a car pulling in or out of a driveway.  When the dog backs up in a straight backwards direction, the handler is also moved backward, away from the oncoming car.  Since the dogs work slightly ahead of the handler when in harness, the person remains safe.  As with other lessons, the dogs are shown how to back up when a car is driven slowly toward them.  Their first tendency is to turn away from the vehicle rather than to back up, but they usually catch on quickly.  Traffic training is very stressful to the dog and many dogs worry with other aspects of their guide work after traffic training sessions.  Some dogs need a little vacation from training or have the intensity of their training reduced if their worry is severe.
	Traffic Phase II --  Once the guide dog demonstrates the appropriate response to traffic, the dog is  expected  to react appropriately on its own when a car comes too close.  Vehicles driven by GEB trainers display special signs reading “TRAFFIC TRAINING” to inform the public that the handler is not rudely run down by a crazy driver.  The dog is exposed over and over to varied situations where a car comes in close from various directions and different turns such as driveways, roadways, crossings, etc.
	Traffic Phase III – The final phase of traffic training involves natural traffic and real situations.  The handler waits at a crossing until the perpendicular traffic has stopped and the parallel traffic begins moving.  When the handler does not hear any oncoming parallel traffic, the dog is given the forward command.  If a car is coming, the dog is reminded not to go.  Eventually, the dog learns  to disobey a forward command when a car is coming. The response of backing up when natural traffic gets too closed is also reinforced during phase III traffic training.
G	Shorelining on a country road -- Blind people and guide dogs living in the country where there are no sidewalks.  They find it difficult to stay close to the edge of the road and much move off the road when cars are coming since they are actually traveling on the side of the road.  Shorelining teaches the dog to move tightly to the edge of the road and to stop when a car is coming.
NA	Practice Dog for a student -- When your dog is in the fourth phase of training, he is not too far away from being “class-ready” or, in other words, deemed to be a reliable guide and ready for matching with a blind person.  Students entering class are given an opportunity to work with guide dogs that are in the fourth phase of training but not yet class ready.  Your dog may be selected as a practice dog.  Practice dogs give the blind person a chance to learn the basics of handling a guide dog without the risk of straining the relationship with the dog that they are going to be matched to.  It also gives the instructors a chance to evaluate the student with a dog and make a more informed match.  For the dog, it gives the instructors, who are preparing the fourth phase dogs for an upcoming class a chance to see how the dog reacts to the real situation of a blind handler.
G	Restaurants and social settings – Similar to puppy raising, guide dogs must lie down quietly in restaurants and public places.  The work you did is evident in all aspects of training and especially here.  The instructors greatly appreciate the good manners you have instilled.

 

Notes on training and reaction to the environment:

Kessler has been returned to training as his prior handler is unable to continue to use him.  He is a seasoned guide who has a good work pattern.  He has an average dog distraction and can become strong when he sees another dog. However, a leash correction or harness check for steady brings him back to focus on his work.  Kessler is a route traveler and is quite good at land-marking locations and remembering routes.  When working with another team Kessler can be dependant on the other dog and will become passive when working in front.  Kessler is quite solicitous of treats and it is important to use an infrequent food reward schedule with him otherwise he can be quite demanding.  Kessler is very well behaved and he is quite a handsome boy so the Development Department has been taking him on quite a few outings to represent GEB.  Kessler has quite a fan club among staff members.  Hopefully there will be a match for him in the upcoming class.

 

Franklin in training

Franklin in training

Here are some pictures of Franklin in harness at GEB U, and his latest report:

 

 

And Franklin's first report...

GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND

Dog Name
Franklin
Tattoo
7F08
Raiser's Name
    

Report Dates
8-14-09 - 8-21-09
 Instructor:
Jamie Viezbicke

Your puppy is just beginning the earliest phase of training.  This initial time period is a time of adjustment, a time when the trainer and dog bond and a time for laying the foundation for all the work that is still to come.  Please remember that each dog is treated as an individual and will be introduced to new skills and concepts at a pace best suited to his or her needs and abilities.
   
Medical evaluation - Done ( X  )

Hip and elbow x-rays:  Our staff veterinarian radiographs the hip and elbow joints to verify the absence of  hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and other joint diseases which are hereditary malformations that can result in lameness later in life.

Spay or Neuter:  Once the breeding director indicates that your dog is not under consideration for becoming a member of the breeding colony, our staff veterinarian either spays (removes the uterus and ovaries) or neuters (removes the testicles) the dog.  Recovery time can be up to 10 days or so during which no training would occur.

Eye exam:  The eyes are examined with an opthalmoscope to verify the absence of cataracts or other eye diseases that could effect vision.  The eyes will be examined again later in training as some problems only appear when the dog is a little older.

General physical exam:  The heart, ears, skin, mouth, neurological function and general health are carefully examined.  The past medical history is reviewed.  Sometimes minor abnormalities are found that are not reason for release but are monitored carefully for recurrence or increase in severity.

Social activities

Community run:  After being neutered and getting acquainted with their trainer,  dogs have social and play time in the community run with about 20 other dogs.  Community run is supervised by the instructors to maintain positive interactions and stop undesirable behaviors such as rough play, mounting, stool eating, etc.

Kennel behavior:  Each dog has one or two roommates.  Other than feeding time when they are separated to ensure that each dog gets his or her full meal, the dogs are together.  The kennel runs are quite large and have automatic watering devices called Lixits.  The dogs play and run around in the kennel at times when they are not engaged in training or work with their instructor assistant.  Regular training periods take place in the kennel to teach dogs to be quiet and not to bark excessively.  The dogs are expected to sit and stay for their food just as you taught them at home.  Dogs are fed once a day at 11:00 a.m. unless the volume of food or the dog's weight necessitate twice daily feedings.  The food is weighed to ensure that proper amounts are fed.  Dogs are weighed weekly and food portions are adjusted accordingly.  The instructor may want specific dogs to carry a  little extra weight in anticipation of stressful training periods, so do not be alarmed if your dog is a little heavier than during puppy hood.

Body handling:  Dogs receive regular grooming time, nail cutting and general handling from the assigned instructor assistant

Comments: Franklin has just begun his first phase of training.  He is doing well with his obedience and responsiveness.   We have just begun his instruction with the clicker and targeting commands.  Franklin lives with Reggie and the two of them love to wrestle around in their run.  Franklin was just neutered so he has not been able to run in community run yet with the others but will start next week. 





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Puppies don't get cuter than this

Some pictures of Nancy's J puppies

Ginny retires

Ginny, whose placement as a guide didn't work out, has a new career: being a pet and friend for a family in New York who has a special needs son. 

Ginny, one of the first litter of Zuppies, is now known as Ginger.

New Zuppies ... and they're the last

Zola has been retired from breeding due to medical issues with her last pregnancies. She will be living with her foster in NY. 

The last Zuppies -- the "A" litter -- are starting to go out to their homes. Two of the boys, Anthony & Augie, have gone to Maryland.

And here's Miss Zola...

Her foster is entering her in the ice cream photo contest. .. flavor "White Chocolate Blizzard"  (Not a photo from this fall .. yet!)

Canadian guide dogs

Bob thought we would all enjoy the Canadian "guide dog" he saw in Vancouver, British Columbia. He assures us that he "fed" the dog.

Franklin training report

GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND
TRAINING REPORT  - PHASE ONE

Dog Name
Franklin
Tattoo
7F08
Raiser's Name
    

Report Dates
8-22-09 - 9-18-09
Trainer's Name
Jamie Viezbicke


Your puppy is still working on or has just completed phase one of training.  This initial time period is a time of adjustment, a time when the trainer and dog bond and a time for laying the foundation for all the work that is still to come.  Please remember that each dog is treated as an individual and will be introduced to new skills and concepts at a pace best suited to his or her needs and abilities.
   
Medical evaluation - Done ( X  )

Hip and elbow x-rays:  Our staff veterinarian radiographs the hip and elbow joints to verify the absence of  hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and other joint diseases which are hereditary malformations that can result in lameness later in life.


Spay or Neuter:  Once the breeding director indicates that your dog is not under consideration for becoming a member of the breeding colony, our staff veterinarian either spays (removes the uterus and ovaries) or neuters (removes the testicles) the dog.  Recovery time can be up to 10 days or so during which no training would occur.


Eye exam:  The eyes are examined with an opthalmoscope to verify the absence of cataracts or other eye diseases that could effect vision.  The eyes will be examined again later in training as some problems only appear when the dog is a little older.


General physical exam:  The heart, ears, skin, mouth, neurological function and general health are carefully examined.  The past medical history is reviewed.  Sometimes minor abnormalities are found that are not reason for release but are monitored carefully for recurrence or increase in severity.


Notes on health:
    

(P:Poor  F:Fair  G:Good  P/F:  Poor/Fair, etc.) 

Social activities

G/F
Community run:  After being neutered and getting acquainted with their trainer,  dogs have social and play time in the community run with about 20 other dogs.  Community run is supervised by the instructors to maintain positive interactions and stop undesirable behaviors such as rough play, mounting, stool eating, etc.

G
Body handling:  Dogs receive regular grooming time, nail cutting and general handling from the assigned instructor assistant.

G
Kennel behavior:  Each dog has one or two roommates.  Other than feeding time when they are separated to ensure that each dog gets his or her full meal, the dogs are together.  The kennel runs are quite large and have automatic watering devices called Lixits.  The dogs play and run around in the kennel at times when they are not engaged in training or work with their instructor assistant.  Regular training periods take place in the kennel to teach dogs to be quiet and not to bark excessively.  The dogs are expected to sit and stay for their food just as you taught them at home.  Dogs are fed once a day at 11:00 a.m. unless the volume of food or the dog's weight necessitate twice daily feedings.  The food is weighed to ensure that proper amounts are fed.  Dogs are weighed weekly and food portions are adjusted accordingly.  The instructor may want specific dogs to carry a little extra weight in anticipation of stressful training periods, so do not be alarmed if your dog is a little heavier than during puppy hood.



Training:
You dog's instructor is:
Jamie Viezbicke

The focus of the first phase of training is to establish the foundation of guide dog work.  Each dog must remain in phase one until the dog understands these concepts thoroughly.  This usually takes one month but for some dogs it can take longer.

The first phase of training takes place on the grounds of the Training School and on the quiet streets of the surrounding neighborhood.

( P:Poor  F:Fair  G:Good  F/G:Fair/Good, etc.)  Being worked on

G
Obedience:  Dogs are taught to sit, down, stay, come and heel.  Although obedience is similar to what puppy raisers do, the expectations are higher.   The dogs must reliably respond to the obedience command on the first command and are expected to be primarily voice controlled.  Much of the obedience training is done on the grounds of the Yorktown Heights Training Center where there are cats, other dogs, people and many other distractions.

F/G
Introduction to harness - The weight of the harness handle on his back is new to the dog.  Most dogs accept it well.

F
Forward Command  -  When the trainer picks up the harness handle and says "forward,"the pup learns to move ahead in the direction he is facing.

F
Hup-up command  --  This is a frequently used command that means to keep going in the same direction.

G
Wait command  --  When the handler tells the dog to wait, the dog learns to stop and listen for another command.

G/F
Straight line concept -- This means walking in a straight line from point A to point B and
not deviating to sniff or visit something of interest.  The trainer directs the dog a bit but he is allowed to guide the trainer.  If the dog starts veering off from the straight line, the trainer picks up the leash, in addition to the harness handle,  and redirects the dog onto the chosen path.  Since dogs do not know where we want to go, they are taught to continue in a straight line in the direction in which they were started.  They go in this direction until they reach an intersection, curb or the end of the path.  The dog is taught to stop at that point and wait until the person decides which direction to go next.


Notes on training and reaction to the environment including specific areas worked on such as distraction, scavenging, concerns, etc. :
Franklin is a sweet and gentle big boy who is very willing to please.  He is starting to learn the basic skills that will lead to becoming a guide dog.  Franklin is doing very nicely with his curb work in town.  Right now we are working on building his confidence as he tends to look for help a lot.  He has made a lot of improvement and we will continue to work on this through out the rest of his training.  Franklin loves to play out in the community run and can usually be found wrestling with the other boys.  Franklin is a pleasure to work with and I look forward to seeing how he progresses as we move on to the next stage of training. 

   
    Puppy Evaluator    Date
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