New Look

Time for a haircut!  I loved Alfie's luxurious, fleecy fur but it was starting to get impractical for a working dog.

What's that say, do you think...'Teddy Bear in Training'?

At about 4" long, the fur hung down over his shoulders, obscuring the words "Guide Dog" on his jacket.  Sometimes I don't know if people read that anyway...they certainly don't act like they do...but the cuddly stuffed-animal  look probably wasn't helping anyone to take him seriously!  Then there's walking him in the rain...Alfie doesn't mind it a bit, but that long fur does certainly get wet and takes a while to dry!

...especially the paws...

We were scheduled for a training walk with our supervisor Michelle on Monday, so I asked her if she'd mind bringing me a set of clippers to borrow.  The actual clipping (later that night) was a family affair.  We got out a card table and put Alfie on it, with Charissa and Tim helping to situate him so I could reach him (and preventing his accidentally falling off!), while Katharine scooped up the swatches of fur as they came off (otherwise he'd just step in them and make an even bigger mess).  So, what do you think, does he look different?

Ta-da...look what was under all that fur!

I have to admit that at first, his new look just cracked me up.  I was so used to his fluffy, rotund appearance that the new streamlined effect caught me off guard.  I'm no longer worried about him being too fat!

Me...fat?!  I'm a lean mean guiding machine!

Our walk with Michelle Monday went pretty well.  We visited a grocery store...

Mom loves the produce section...boring!

Dog toys?  Now you're talking!

...and then a coffee shop where Alfie actually laid down like a mellow little boy while we talked.  I was pleasantly surprised!

I know it's important to try and impress the boss, that's all.

The real fun began when Michelle brought out another guide dog in training, Jethro.  I call him the Jolly Grey Giant.  He's huge, even for a German Shepherd...the pictures don't even really do him justice!  Apparently his work is terrific but he needs a little help with dog distraction.  Alfie and I were more than happy to help until...surprise...coming toward us he lunged forward and the strain snapped his leash in two!

Ready or not, here he comes!

After that little unscripted moment, we let the dogs greet, Michelle tied the leash back together, and everything was great.  You see, Jethro's not mean at all, just a little...shall we say...enthusiastic!  That, and he's pretty much just a force of nature.  We took the dogs inside Whole Earth Outfitters and they both worked nicely. 

Best buds.

We even switched dogs for a while, and I got to take Jethro for a test drive.  For all that size, he does handle really well!  He's very responsive...he'll be a great guide dog I'm sure.  The strangest thing for me, actually, was people's reactions.  When I worked Alfie, wherever I went there was a wave of "Awww...isn't he cute...ohhh..." in that high voice that people use around puppies.  When I walked out with Jethro, a hush fell over the bystanders and it was more like the parting of the Red Sea!  Funny how people react to appearances, isn't it?

Jethro, do you think you could teach Alfie your intimidating look?

 

On second thought...looking at this face...I'm just not sure Alfie could pull it off!

The great thing is that with the variety of dogs used at GDTx, and the attention given to matching the right client with the right dog, I'm sure that both Alfie and Jethro will end up being just the perfect dog for their respective partners.  Wonder who that's going to be?

Facing Down the Dark Side

Ever notice how for every desirable canine trait -- there's a "down side" to that same trait if it's not properly channeled?  Well, at about 3 months old now, let's just say that our dear little Alfie is in need of a lot of...um...channeling! 

His self-confidence makes him a delightful companion, as nothing seems to rattle him at all.  Just what you want in a future guide dog!  But by the same token, Alfie's also completely convinced that he should be in charge around the house and is having a difficult time coming to grips with the fact that not only is he NOT in charge...he never WAS in charge...and never WILL be in charge...EVER!  To try to help him with this one, I've had him tethered to me by a double-long leash for the past couple of days.  This cuts down on any mischief, and it's also starting (let's hope!) to help him see that I'm the leader, he's the follower. 

But you don't understand;  I'm a natural born leader!

That innate intelligence that we just love to see in working dogs has its dark side, too...Alfie's always trying to use it to get a step ahead.  For example, he quickly worked out the basics of potty training, and has learned to shake a string of jingle bells hanging on the back door when he wants a potty break.  When I started tethering him to me a couple days ago, though, he figured out that he could ring the "doorbell," pretending that he had to go outside; then I'd let him off the leash by the backdoor; and ZOOM, quick as thought he'd slipped my grasp and was running all around the house in doggy hysterics, practically laughing his head off that I'd fallen for his little scheme!!

Then there's that incredible ability that service dogs have for "reading" people...they're constantly alert for minute changes in our mood, body language, voice, even scent.  Eventually, Alfie will use that ability to help him watch out for his human companion...but at the moment he has more sinister purposes in mind!  He's a very keen observer of my every move and when I'm stressed...under a time crunch...on the phone...or distracted...AHA, THAT is the one moment he will choose to grab my pants leg or run off with something I need!  It'd be pointless for him to pull such shenanigans when I'm focused and calm.  No, much better to bide his time and try for the maximum reaction! 

I called Michelle, our puppy program manager, for help and she dropped by to give additional pointers on doggy discipline and (just as important!) moral support.  We're very excited about Alfie's awesome potential and natural abilities.  For the new year, the task remains...turn him from the dark side!

The force is very strong with this one...

Carpe Canem

...that's just a little Latin for you, translating roughly to "Sieze the Puppy"! That's all we had on our minds Friday as we drove up to get Alphini. Here he's saying goodbye to his breeder, Dixie Moore of Dixie's Doodles.

Thank you, Dixie!

The rest of the weekend passed in a sort of blur. Those of you who've been through the 8-week-old baby puppy stage will understand! Alfie settled in to his new home quickly, and in fact, we're having to remind him that he doesn't actually own the place!

There's so much for a new puppy to learn. So far, Alfie's hardest adjustment has been sleeping in the crate. He cries every time we put him in, which is normal at this stage, but the good thing is it's getting a bit less each time. He's had no "accidents" in the crate, which is terrific. Can't say the same about the rest of the house!

We're in that hectic stage of the game where every time he eats, wakes up, plays...basically any time he does anything...we have to take him out to "go busy"(guide dog code for potty)...then write it down on a chart to help us keep track of his schedule. He's really getting the idea that when we take him out to his spot and give the command, he's supposed to do his business. Eventually, he'll catch on he's not supposed to do that indoors! For his age, I think he's doing just fine.

Alfie was already used to wearing a collar, but now he's got to get accustomed to a bigger collar with a tag on it. He spent most of the first day trying to scratch it off, but finally reconciled himself to it. Now we're working on walking on the leash.





"Heel" is still a ways off in the future! At this point, we're just happy if he gets the basic concept of walking in the same general direction. I was at church working on Saturday and had the idea that we could use the long narrow hall to help us with that.



...Seemed to help! All that hard work wore him out and he had to take a nap.

Sweet dreams!

Alfie is an intense, eager little learner. Luckily for me, he also seems to be quite motivated by treats (the good and smelly ones, that is!) We taught him "sit" using the treat as a lure and now he'll do it on his own, even offering a "sit" when he wants something...outrageously cute! He's also learned his name and "come." Today I'm starting to work on "down."

We've been spending some time each day on grooming, too, not so much because he needs it but to get him used to the routine. He sleeps through most of it so that's nice!

Alfie's also been on a couple of outings with us already and so far he's taken everything in stride, a real trooper.



Now if only I could catch up on my sleep...