Kodiak had a fun and productive training week–with two great outings. He went to a local middle school on Tuesday, to participate in their Health Fair. We arrived early so that I could set up a lap top with my Leader Dog for the Blind power point slides, along with pictures of the puppies we have raised. I placed Kodi’s bed under the table with several of his favorite Nyla Bone toys–we were all set to talk to the students, Kodi was ready for lots of loving, and of course to hundreds of questions about raising puppies and Leader Dog training.
It was about this time that I noticed the display next to us included a basketball goal and an inflated football player with a net to catch the inflated footballs. I thought this is going to make this a very long training day.
But, Kodi surprised me–when the balls started flying he was watching them intently. One of them landed about 3-4 feet from him and I could see he was about to go after it. I said, “Kodi, leave it.” and when he looked at me I said “Good boy, sit” as soon as he sat I gave him a treat and lots of loving. Then I had him lay on his bed, kids started arriving and of course the girls “oohhhed and awwwwed” over him. They were rubbing his ears, he is smart enough to know this attention was one hundred times better than chasing after balls. By the third hour, he needed to go outside, and when we came back in I could see he was very sleepy. So I explained to the students that he needed some nap time. He slept the rest of the afternoon–with kids running around, balls flying all around (some even landed on his bed!), and all the noise of over 100 young teens in the gym! What great socialization training!
Yesterday we went to the airport to let the puppies experience being around the baggage carousels, and going through airport security. He went through all of it with no problems. This was also training for the TSA security as well. The lady that worked with us was afraid of dogs, so he helped her with her anxiety issues as well.
Marcia,
I can see why Leader Dog for the Blind says you and your group are some of the best puppy raisers they have! Anyone that would subject themselves to TSA security is truly dedicated to raising the very best Leader Dogs!
Thank you for all of your hard work!
Julie
Marcia,
Do you take in “outside” trainees? I could never persuade Mac that anything was better than those inflated footballs (especially if he discovered that he could pop them after he caught them). Clearly you are a better trainer than most of the rest of us–and Kodi is the best proof of your skills. When you are ready to take on additional challenges, let me know.
Ann
Congrats to all of you involved with such a worthwhile project and with the best breed ever for this type of work. It is such important work that I admire all of you and send my best always, Barb