Monday, July 20, 2015
UPDATE 7/20/2015 - TAKE 2
Slight change in plans! Truckee has been bumped from being placed in "Class". The match they had for him wasn't the right one. He is now back on the wait list looking for his perfect person! He will not be graduating August 1st.
UPDATE 7/20/2015
It's official - TRUCKEE IS GRADUATING!! He is now in "Class"!!
Class
By the time the dogs finish their final exams in Phase 8, blind and vision-impaired clients have already been scheduled to arrive for the next class. Instructors conduct pre-class phone meetings to begin the matching process between client and dog. Matches are finalized once students arrive at campus and class training has begun. To make the best matches possible, GDB has more dogs than clients. This means that there are always a handful of dogs remaining for placement in a future class. These dogs continue in training with the next group of instructors and dogs.
There are different class-training program options available to clients. GDB offers two week classes for in-residence client training.
On occasion, for either health or other compelling personal reasons, some clients do best with training in their own home area. In these instances, the client does not train at a GDB campus. This is called an in-home training. Most in-home training clients do not participate in a formal graduation ceremony, unless they live close to one of our campuses and are able to attend. For those clients unable to attend a ceremony, please refer to the “Graduation” portion of this packet for special arrangements afforded to raisers whose dogs are trained in-home.
Depending on whether they are training in California or Oregon, clients begin training with their new Guide Dogs in residential areas of San Rafael or Gresham, respectively, and transition to routes in San Francisco or Portland. The new teams encounter many different situations together: public transportation (cars, city buses, subway systems, and ferries), heavy traffic, construction, escalators, areas with no sidewalks, etc.
GDB clients come from many different geographical areas and walks of life. Clients customize their training and do routes that are similar to their home areas. Our lecture titled “Special Travel Conditions” offers tips to help prepare clients and their new guides to travel in extreme climates (snow travel or hot temperatures).
Class instruction and graduation are a culmination of a lot of hard work by many people. From staff who breed these special dogs, to the volunteers who love and house the breeder dogs, to the volunteers that socialize the young puppies and work in other areas on campus, to the immense efforts and commitment of the puppy raising community, to the dedicated and talented training and graduate service staff, and to our generous donors… it takes an involved community to create and support, a Guide Dog team. All of these efforts provide the foundation to shape a wonderful d
Class
By the time the dogs finish their final exams in Phase 8, blind and vision-impaired clients have already been scheduled to arrive for the next class. Instructors conduct pre-class phone meetings to begin the matching process between client and dog. Matches are finalized once students arrive at campus and class training has begun. To make the best matches possible, GDB has more dogs than clients. This means that there are always a handful of dogs remaining for placement in a future class. These dogs continue in training with the next group of instructors and dogs.
There are different class-training program options available to clients. GDB offers two week classes for in-residence client training.
On occasion, for either health or other compelling personal reasons, some clients do best with training in their own home area. In these instances, the client does not train at a GDB campus. This is called an in-home training. Most in-home training clients do not participate in a formal graduation ceremony, unless they live close to one of our campuses and are able to attend. For those clients unable to attend a ceremony, please refer to the “Graduation” portion of this packet for special arrangements afforded to raisers whose dogs are trained in-home.
Depending on whether they are training in California or Oregon, clients begin training with their new Guide Dogs in residential areas of San Rafael or Gresham, respectively, and transition to routes in San Francisco or Portland. The new teams encounter many different situations together: public transportation (cars, city buses, subway systems, and ferries), heavy traffic, construction, escalators, areas with no sidewalks, etc.
GDB clients come from many different geographical areas and walks of life. Clients customize their training and do routes that are similar to their home areas. Our lecture titled “Special Travel Conditions” offers tips to help prepare clients and their new guides to travel in extreme climates (snow travel or hot temperatures).
Class instruction and graduation are a culmination of a lot of hard work by many people. From staff who breed these special dogs, to the volunteers who love and house the breeder dogs, to the volunteers that socialize the young puppies and work in other areas on campus, to the immense efforts and commitment of the puppy raising community, to the dedicated and talented training and graduate service staff, and to our generous donors… it takes an involved community to create and support, a Guide Dog team. All of these efforts provide the foundation to shape a wonderful d
Thursday, July 9, 2015
UPDATE 7/9/2015!
Truckee
has now entered phase 8 of 8! If he passes this phase he will be
placed “In Class” where he will then be matched with a handler.
However, there is still a chance he could be “Career Changed.” So we
can’t get overly excited yet. But either way, if he makes it or not, we
will be happy with the outcome!
Below is what Phase 8 consists of. He must be graded on certain tests. It’s a long read and I won’t be offended if you don’t read it but I included just in case you are curious!
Phase 8 – Final Testing, Finishing and Pre-Matching
Notable Accomplishments – Final Testing
Final Obedience Test
The instructor is under blindfold, and performs a series of obedience exercises with the dog, which includes an off-leash recall as well as a down stay with the instructor out of the dog’s sight. Grades are given on a number scale (3 – 5).
Final Blindfold Test
Instructor works a route under blindfold on an urban street and sidewalk route of 40 to 50 minutes in a challenging work area. Dog performs sits and downs in harness at any point on route. Grades are given on a number scale (3 – 5).
Final Building Test
Instructor works a dog under blindfold through a mall setting. Each dog is tested on their overall caution and work on escalators, elevators, stairs and focus past food court areas. Grades are pass/fail.
Final Traffic Test
Instructor is under blindfold on a guidework route, and encounters several staged traffic checks that require the dog to demonstrate all types of traffic avoidance responses. Instructor is spotted by a teammate, but is not cued to the traffic situations in order to simulate client travel. Grades are pass/fail.
NOTE: Dogs that receive passing grades are deemed “Class Ready Guides.” These dogs are fully qualified and ready to be issued to a client.
“Finishing” Routes
Dogs work on relaxing residential or country routes, sidewalkless areas, and less difficult/ more straightforward routes for confidence building before class. Obedience responses are maintained and practiced in a variety of areas with a variety of handlers.
Practice with Less Experienced Handlers
With either supervisory and/or instructor oversight, unfamiliar (and often novice) handlers (O&M seminar or lifestyle workshop participants, mock student instruction practice for apprentices, etc.) work dogs that are (or nearly) at Class Ready status. This serves two purposes: it gives the handler an opportunity to experience what it feels like to work a Guide Dog and it gives staff a chance to assess the dogs’ abilities to successfully and reliably transfer to a new handler both from a work performance and manageability perspective.
NEW! Specialized Training
All dogs are introduced to hand and chair targeting. Instructors introduce pole targeting (for crosswalk buttons) on a few different routes.
If needed, select dogs may do custom work for identified clients (slower pace or fast pace, compromised balance -- client who travels with a support cane, toed-out gait, etc.)
Pre Class Physicals (AKA: PCPs)
All class ready dogs receive pre-class vet physicals, which includes a height measurement at the withers (ground to shoulders).
Final Class Preparations
Instructors size all dogs for new class collars, boots, head collars and harnesses. Pre-matches are done based on information gathered from home interview and pre-class phone call meeting.
Leash Relieving practice on cement surfaces
Continues as in previous phase, as needed.
Dormitory exposure
Dogs are walked through the dormitory building in preparation for their in-residence training.
Below is what Phase 8 consists of. He must be graded on certain tests. It’s a long read and I won’t be offended if you don’t read it but I included just in case you are curious!
Phase 8 – Final Testing, Finishing and Pre-Matching
Notable Accomplishments – Final Testing
Final Obedience Test
The instructor is under blindfold, and performs a series of obedience exercises with the dog, which includes an off-leash recall as well as a down stay with the instructor out of the dog’s sight. Grades are given on a number scale (3 – 5).
Final Blindfold Test
Instructor works a route under blindfold on an urban street and sidewalk route of 40 to 50 minutes in a challenging work area. Dog performs sits and downs in harness at any point on route. Grades are given on a number scale (3 – 5).
Final Building Test
Instructor works a dog under blindfold through a mall setting. Each dog is tested on their overall caution and work on escalators, elevators, stairs and focus past food court areas. Grades are pass/fail.
Final Traffic Test
Instructor is under blindfold on a guidework route, and encounters several staged traffic checks that require the dog to demonstrate all types of traffic avoidance responses. Instructor is spotted by a teammate, but is not cued to the traffic situations in order to simulate client travel. Grades are pass/fail.
NOTE: Dogs that receive passing grades are deemed “Class Ready Guides.” These dogs are fully qualified and ready to be issued to a client.
“Finishing” Routes
Dogs work on relaxing residential or country routes, sidewalkless areas, and less difficult/ more straightforward routes for confidence building before class. Obedience responses are maintained and practiced in a variety of areas with a variety of handlers.
Practice with Less Experienced Handlers
With either supervisory and/or instructor oversight, unfamiliar (and often novice) handlers (O&M seminar or lifestyle workshop participants, mock student instruction practice for apprentices, etc.) work dogs that are (or nearly) at Class Ready status. This serves two purposes: it gives the handler an opportunity to experience what it feels like to work a Guide Dog and it gives staff a chance to assess the dogs’ abilities to successfully and reliably transfer to a new handler both from a work performance and manageability perspective.
NEW! Specialized Training
All dogs are introduced to hand and chair targeting. Instructors introduce pole targeting (for crosswalk buttons) on a few different routes.
If needed, select dogs may do custom work for identified clients (slower pace or fast pace, compromised balance -- client who travels with a support cane, toed-out gait, etc.)
Pre Class Physicals (AKA: PCPs)
All class ready dogs receive pre-class vet physicals, which includes a height measurement at the withers (ground to shoulders).
Final Class Preparations
Instructors size all dogs for new class collars, boots, head collars and harnesses. Pre-matches are done based on information gathered from home interview and pre-class phone call meeting.
Leash Relieving practice on cement surfaces
Continues as in previous phase, as needed.
Dormitory exposure
Dogs are walked through the dormitory building in preparation for their in-residence training.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Update 7/2/2015!
Truckee is still in Phase 6 - Below is what he is currently working on.
Phase 6 - Urban Challenges
Obedience and Distraction Training
Continues as in phase 5.
Phase 6 - Urban Challenges
Obedience and Distraction Training
Continues as in phase 5.
Advanced Guidework Training
Dogs work in both residential area without sidewalks and downtown urban areas with challenging environments
Focus on working the dogs at a pace and pull that is appropriate for a client.
Instructors commonly work each others’ dogs to continue to develop and monitor consistent responses of each dog in various environments (formal, casual and during guidework).
NEW! Sidewalkless Technique Introduction
Dogs learn how to work in areas without sidewalks or reasonable shoulder on which to walk. The travel line is the left side of the street facing oncoming traffic. Dogs learn how to respond to intersecting streets and parked cars along their travel line.
NEW! Platform Edge Intro and Exposure Work
Dogs learn to avoid significant drop-offs that mimic subway and rail platform edges.
NEW! Light Rail, Subway systems
Dogs practice edge avoidance when train is absent, and boarding/riding on available trains.
Obstacle Course Progression
Continues as in phase 5.
Pre-Matches for Select Clients
Dogs are identified for applicants with special needs or requirements in a Guide Dog.
Socialization Programs
CWTs continue to focus on kennel enrichment and relaxing time away from guidework lessons (community run, grooming, play sessions, campus walks, dog massage, Reiki).
Leash relieving exposure on cement begins.
Dogs work in both residential area without sidewalks and downtown urban areas with challenging environments
Focus on working the dogs at a pace and pull that is appropriate for a client.
Instructors commonly work each others’ dogs to continue to develop and monitor consistent responses of each dog in various environments (formal, casual and during guidework).
NEW! Sidewalkless Technique Introduction
Dogs learn how to work in areas without sidewalks or reasonable shoulder on which to walk. The travel line is the left side of the street facing oncoming traffic. Dogs learn how to respond to intersecting streets and parked cars along their travel line.
NEW! Platform Edge Intro and Exposure Work
Dogs learn to avoid significant drop-offs that mimic subway and rail platform edges.
NEW! Light Rail, Subway systems
Dogs practice edge avoidance when train is absent, and boarding/riding on available trains.
Obstacle Course Progression
Continues as in phase 5.
Pre-Matches for Select Clients
Dogs are identified for applicants with special needs or requirements in a Guide Dog.
Socialization Programs
CWTs continue to focus on kennel enrichment and relaxing time away from guidework lessons (community run, grooming, play sessions, campus walks, dog massage, Reiki).
Leash relieving exposure on cement begins.
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