Fletcher: an Autism Assistance Dog

Obedience Class From *$&# -- Update

2005-02-19T15:32:00.000-05:00

WE QUIT

To make a long story short...Yes we quit.

Here are some of the responces form the ClickSport list. Read on if you want. We will follow the advice of this list. I am using Competition Obedience: A Balancing Act by Judy Byron & Adele Yunck as well as continuning on with Sue Ailsby's Training Levels. We will see how it goes when we enter into the ring some time in the spring. Whatever happens though, we will both be having fun!

From: "Robin Nuttall"
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 1:11 pm
Subject: RE: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)
What do I do? Fletch can go to the ring right now and probably get the CD with out much sweat...IF he had a handler that knew what to do in the ring.>>>>>RUN, do not walk, away from this so-called instructor. Hopefully you can find some other teachers in your area. I'd go observe classes they teach before even enrolling. Look for someone who is open to play, food, toys, and yes, clickers.
You made a mistake many people make--allowing an "authority figure" to override what you know is right for your dog. This teacher had no right to put a choke collar on your dog if you didn't want one. She had no right to pop your dog for no reason. She shouldn't have told you to not use a clicker, but it's her class. If she doesn't want a clicker, fine.I'd phone her and tell her that you have realized this is not the class for you. I'd tell her why, and I'd ask for at least a partial refund.
Then go out and find a better trainer.

From: Susan Ailsby
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 1:43 pm
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)

"the only reason I am in the class is to learn what to do I the ring...this class is for ME not the dog. "Yes, Dana, LOTS of people have had this happen to them. Since the class is for you and not for the dog, how about going to the class and NOT taking the dog.Another option would be to hire a private instructor to spend an hour once in a while to walk you through what you need to know about the ring and to evaluate your progress once in a while.Sue Eh?http://www.dragonflyllama.com/

From: Lorraine Andrusiak
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 2:33 pm
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)

You can also just go yourself to obedience trials and watch the competition you can learn a lot from watching the others in the ring.

cheers,Lorraine Andrusiak andAshley and Cosby Whippets British Columbia CANADA

From: Linda H
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 5:47 pm
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)

Be sure to get the obedience rule book from the AKC and read it thoroughly.Linda H

From: "Ellen Bloomfield"
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 3:06 pm
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)

> So on to my question, I would love to show him in obedience but I have no clue what to do or expect in the ring. >
To add to the excellent answers here is learn the rules. I don't know whatvenue you will be showing in, but AKC, UKC and ASCA all have the obedience rulesposted on their website.Learn them. Learn them. Learn them.

Ask questions of this list about the rules if you are confused. AKC clubs oftenoffers judges seminars that go over the technicalities of the rules.About a year ago I went and did a private lesson with someone who was recommendedto me by a friend. I went in there open minded and came out of there more convinced I didn't need a private instructor, especially if it was him. I just figured that his dogs learned despite him or that he trained his dogs much differently than he actually taught. I also spent about 2 months away from obedience training after that lesson to allow me and my dog to decompress :/ It was not good at all.About 6 months after this "lesson" we were in the obedience ring. Since then, this same dog who this person proclaimed "knows no basics" has qualified in 16 straight trials in novice, both the A classes and the B classes and AKC as well as UKC. Not bad for a dog who knows no basics.
--Ellen Bloomfield and the herding crew

From: "kim"
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 5:55 pm
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)
Get out of the class.IF the training isn’t willing to use a clicker, or at least let you use one, thenshe has no business instructing you.IN addition, NEVER let someone handle your dog if you don't feel comfortable. Ihave only allowed people to handle my dog THREE times, and two of them were toprove that he won't do it for someone else :) The third was a clicker trainerwho used him for a demo :) I know it is hard to say something, but if your dogdoesn’t work under certain conditions, stand up for him and say so. Bowie doesn’twork in a collar at all - I use no leash, or a harness on him. I CANNOT controlhis head - and that is something that we work up to -- he trials in a collar andwe do run troughs on a collar, but I train him on a harness.At this point you may need to go back to basics with Fletcher and work back upto regain trust.Find a clicker trainer locally. I train at THREE places (I can't reliably make classes at any one of them), and one uses clicker exclusively, the other is VERYreceptive, and the third is willing to let me use it on my own. ALL THREE traincompetition level obedience, agility, and a variety of other sports (rally,freestyle, etc).Personally, every single THING is a training tool. Does the trainer expect youto be able to do leash pops in the ring? A prong is a training tool. a Trainingcollar is a training tool. ANY COLLAR AT ALL is a training tool. rewarding withtug - training tool, rewarding with food? training tool!!! You can’t take ANY OFIT in the ring with you. Does that make people stop using them?
Use what works for your dog. and stand up for it.be proud you click! I used to be the people that didn’t understand it and lookeddown on it - now you cant take the clicker out of my hands!=kim

From: "kim"
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 5:56 pm
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)
Something I would suggest - a handling/attention course. Much is focused on howthe HANDLER does things, and many of them are VERY clicker friendly. The oneattention course was more help towards my dogs CD and competitive career thananything else.=Kim

To:ClickSport@yahoogroups.com
From: Click4Aussies@aol.com
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2005 19:14:39 EST
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)
Been there, done that. :( You learned the hard way (as did I) never give your dog to anyone unless you know what they're going to do and approve of it.Where are you located Dana? Maybe we can help you hook up with someone. Barring that, get to a few obedience trials and watch the B rings. Don't be afraid to ask people to explain what's going on, or even hold up a sign "Newbie looking for help" If there is nobody else and you feel like you're going to have to train by yourself, a couple books will help. Competition Obedience: A Balancing Act by Adele Yunck and Judy Byron is excellent, and will help you lay foundation for moving up to open and utility. It's not a clicker book but is extremely clicker friendly, especially the way they break the exercises down. Before you go in the ring, get Barbara Handler's video and book set (both!) Successful Obedience Handling. For attention work you may want to invest in Teri Arnold or Dawn Jec. Here is a link to Dogwise with a lot of books. :D _Browse Dogwise.com_ (http://www.dogwise.com/Browse/SubCatList.cfm?SubCat=Competitive%20Obedience
Hope & the Shyraphic PackShy

To: "ClickSport" ClickSport@yahoogroups.com
From: "Margarat Nee - The Art Of Dog"
Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 16:14:00 –0800
Subject: Re: [ClickSport] What to do?? (LONG)

These are what I've found helpful in preparing *myself* for the ring:The book "Successful Obedience Handling: The NEW Best Foot Forward" gives great hints on how to help (not hurt) your dog's performance through good handling.Do a private lesson with someone with a good reputation of ring handling that is only about your handling. Make it clear that training issues are for you to deal with at home, that the lessons is for evaluating your handling and where you are as a team - troubleshooting, not training. The advantage of a private lesson is that it puts you in more control of the situation.Go to matches, lots of them. Nervousness can reek havoc on a performance.For instance, I found that one thing I have to work on is how I respond to the less-than-pleasant training techniques happening around us. I would just try to tune it out, but since my dog would too, the whole experience was a little negative, and I had trouble getting her "up" for the ring. So, if I were to pursue obedience again I would go to matches and not even go in the ring for a while, just play around the grounds.One thing I haven't done that may be helpful is use audio recordings that recreate the ring experience. I've seen them available at dogwise.com.Cheers,------------------ Margarat Neethe ART of DOGEncinitas, CA
http://theartofdog.com/

Comming up on the Today show...The week of Monday Feb 21

2005-02-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

MONDAY, FEB. 217:00 a.m. ET
"Today" series on Autism begins. Early signs of the hidden epidemic and causes of Autism will be discussed.
TUESDAY, FEB. 227:00 a.m. ET
"Today" Autism series continues. What does a diagnosis for Autism entail? Dan Marino appears with his family to talk about his experiences with Autism. Chris
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 237:00 a.m. ET
"Today" series on Autism continues with talks about intervention and the emotional aspects of the disease.
THURSDAY, FEB. 247:00 a.m. ET
"Today's" series on Autism continues with how to advocate for your child.
FRIDAY, FEB. 257:00 a.m. ET
Today's" series on Autism wraps up with Bob and Suzanne Wright and the dangers of Autism in adults.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/?ta=y

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

2005-02-19T15:25:00.000-05:00

Some days it seems the only predictable thing about it is the unpredictability. The only consistent attribute, the inconsistency. There is little argument on any level but that autism is baffling, even to those who spend their lives around it.
http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism%2c0%2c6196233.story

Obedience Class From *$&#

2005-02-09T18:53:00.000-05:00

I posted this email at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClickSport/
Copying it here is easer that retyping it....

From: "Dana"
Date: Wed Feb 9, 2005 1:03 pm
Subject: What to do?? (LONG)

Hey all,
This is my first time posting to this list. I normally don’t have time to do much posting but I thought I needed to get some advice on a dilemma I am having.

A bit of background may be in order. Fletcher, my service dog, is a 'crossover dog' (he was trained on a choke collar). In my opinion, developed soon after I got him, he is quite a soft dog. In this I mean if I use a choke collar or any other physically manipulative methods in training he gets very stressed and shuts down. About 6 months after I got him, I removed the choke collar for good and now work him on a buckle collar.

As far as using a clicker goes, in the beginning it was rough.... he was hesitant to offer any behaviors at all (we worked on perfecting a sit stay here!! NO FOOT MOVEMENT AT ALL or turning of the head). It was as if he were stone. I got to the point where I decided to throw food and risk ruining the automatic 'don’t eat any food on the floor' behavior he came with. This got things rolling...he had to move to get food for sitting solid.

Any way.... clinkering is proceeding fabulous. He is much more animated and involved when working than he was when I got him.

So on to my question, I would love to show him in obedience but I have no clue what to do or expect in the ring. In order for me to understand what to do, I signed up for comp obedience classes. On the first night we came with clicker a few fantastic toys and a bitof yummy food. As people come in I realize all dogs have choke or pinch collars on. The instructor calls us all up for the start of class. We begin with heel. Fletch heels great but not looking up at me.... something I have just started to work on just for the ring. He looks up, I click and praise. The instructor says, "HALT!!! Who used a clicker?!" I told her I did. She then proceeded to tell me clickers were not being used in that class. I said ok and put the clicker down (fletch has a 'YES' verbal that does the same thing as the clicker). No problem.... just a bit more/different work for me but that is ok I guess. Later we take a break and she comes over to me and tells me "if I want to have him compete in the ring the clicker wont work. After all he is not working for me just the clicker and the toy/food". I told her that this argument really did not make sense because after all her dog was not working for her any more than it was avoiding the collar. She really did not like this...and I guess I can see why.

By the time the session was over Fletch had a collar on him with my thinking I just won’t use it. Well that is fine and dandy until she comes over and 'shows me how to use it'. 1 pop, 2 pop, 3 pop (Fletcher is shutting down and throwing stress signals) 4, 5, 6pop.... and more than that she is just standing there not telling him to do anything. I feel SO SO bad that I did not tell her to stop. (((DONT EVER HAND THE LEASH TO AN INSTRUCTOR THAT YOU DONT KNOW WELL))) I was livid.... Fletch was shaken up.... we both went home and slept.

What do I do? Fletch can go to the ring right now and probably get the CD with out much sweat...IF he had a handler that knew what to do in the ring.

Do I not go to class? Do I take a different dog that can handle these methods better? I just want to tell her that she is the instructor and I have the ability to pick and choose which methods I want to employ and the only reason I am in the class is to learn what to doI the ring...this class is for ME not the dog.

What would you do? Has any one ever had this happen?

Dana and Fletcher (4yo GR)

2005-01-27T21:08:00.000-05:00

This is My buddy "Sam" the chinchilla. I love to sit and watch him and his friend "Jack" for hours!!

2005-01-27T21:03:00.000-05:00

Meds Reminder task

A new semester...

2005-01-27T20:59:00.000-05:00

It has been a while. Dana and I are back at Hope in the freezing cold enjoying our selves. Classes are going well so far. Dana is taking (and I am sleeping through) Comparative vertebrate anatomy, Behavior Disorders, and an advanced research class focusing on acculturation patterns of adolescent immigrants to the Holland area. All in all we do not have a bad schedule.

I posted 2 picture below. One is of one of my chinchilla friends "Sam" ( you can see "Jack" in the back ground). I love to sit in front of the cage at home and watch these guys for hours. In fact I like to watch most animals be it fish, rats, mice, frogs, lizards. You name it, I like it....well I don't actually like snakes much. They scare me. The other picture is one that Dana took when she was instead needing to tell me I was a good boy and give me a treat for reminding her to take her meds.

Well that is it for now. I dont really have a lot to say.

Stay warm.

Vet Appt....

2004-12-20T18:15:00.000-05:00

So this morning Dana dragged me to the vets office......I have to say this time wasn't so bad though, no needles or anything! I have been very ichy, scrachy and bumpy for a few months now and nothing seems to be working. The vets keep thinking I have a Staph infection but after 4 rounds of medication and special shampoo it hasn't gone away!!! Today I saw an alergist and she suggested I have an allergy test done and swich my food to an alergin free diet specially made by Hills. We will try the new food first per suggestion of the vet for 12 weeks before moving to the alergy test. Hopefully this helps because I am not very comfortable.

Training vs. Relationship building

2004-12-16T17:37:00.000-05:00

Jon Katz wrote this on the CSDogBookReview List. How true this is! If I have learned one thing in my partnership with Fletcher is that trainig is not last for a segment of his life. We are always learning and growing together. I am constanly reading books on 'the psychology of dogs' ...well I have to end here I may finish this post later but it is still exam week.....

Dana

To: CSDogBookReview@yahoogroups.com
From: "jon_ktz"
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 22:41:44 -0000
Subject: [CSDogBookReview] Training and Consciousness

To me, training needs to be redefined. It isn't something you do in a three week class, or that you do at a mall pet store. It is a significant ethical responsibility and commitment to the dog, one which almost completely defines your relationship with the dog, and the dog's relationship with the world.

How Boring.....

2004-12-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

Sigh....I think I hate exams more than Dana does. Sleep, sleep, sleep...That is all I have done for the last few days. I guess, sure, I have been out to the pine grove every day this week for about 30 minutes at a time but still...Exams...blegh. I figure that we will spend 8 hours in the testing room....that is if Dana is quick on taking them, and she isnt. Monday we were in that boring, chalk dust filled room for 3.5 hrs.....way to long I say, way to long.

Friday, can you come any faster?

Fletcher

Let it snow..let it snow...let it snow!

2004-11-25T10:47:00.000-05:00

WE HAVE SNOW!!!
The first of the season!! This is SO exciting. This morning I played Kong with Dana and Belle.

Please Don't Pet Me, I'm Working!

2004-11-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

I just had to share this!! And have to wonder if the boy involved has AS? Hm....Maby LOL

To:OC-Assist-Dogs@yahoogroups.com
From:"Susan Ailsby"
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:40:23 -0600
Subject: [OC-A-Dogs] Please Don't Pet Me, I'm Working!

Scuba and I were in McDonald's at Wal-Mart this afternoon. As I was eating, a young man about 6 or 7 years old started asking me questions about Scuba. We had a nice chat and then he asked if he could pet her. I said no, and proceeded to explain that she was working, showed him her cape and patches saying not to pet her. He put his hands carefully behind him, got down on the floor in front of her, and rubbed noses. She licked his nose. He petted her muzzle with the sides of his face. He lay down in front of her on the floor and rolled over on his back. Scuba rolled over on her back and they looked upside down at each other. Through all of this he kept his hands securely locked behind him, not petting her. Very cute.
Sue Eh?
http://www.dragonflyllama.com/

Fletcher, SD and DELTA SOCIETY PET PARTNER!!

2004-11-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

So the results are in!! We passed!
Do you want to see the results? Here they are
PPAT
Overall exam* - Handler =2 (smooth and role plays); Animal =2 (Seeks and enjoys interactions
Team score 2
Exuberant and clumsy petting* - Handler=2 (smooth and role plays); Animal +1 some displacement) Team score=1
Restrained Hug* - Handler =2 (smooth and relaxed); Animal =2 (relaxed and smooth)
Team score 2
Staggering, Gesturing Individual - Handler= 2 (role plays); Animal= 2 (seeks, enjoys interaction) Team score= 2
Angry yelling - Handler=2 (smooth and role plays); Animal = 2 (smooth, seeks interactions, ignores) Team score =2
Bumped from behind - Handler =2 (smooth and role plays); Animal = 2 (seeks interaction, ignored) Team score =2
crowed and Petted by Several People*- Handler= 2 (role plays and relaxed); Animal =2 (smooth and seeks and enjoys interaction) Team score =2
Leave it - Handler = 2 (very proactive); Animal=2 (ignored toy)
Team score =2
Offered a treat - Handler =2 (smooth and relaxed); Animal =2 (gentle)
Team score =2
Overall Assessment* - Handler = 2 (proactive and smooth); Animal =NA
Team Score = 2

Overall qualification = Predictable
Overall comments -- Team works as a great unit, very social and good role playing

PPST
Accepting a Friendly Stranger* - Handler =2 (smooth and good interactions); Animal =1 (some extra guidance he popped the sit) Team score 1
Accepting Petting - Handler=2 (smooth and proactive); Animal =2 seeks and enjoys interaction) Team score=2
Appearance and Grooming* - Handler =2 (relaxed and very appropriate appearance); Animal =2 (relaxed and very appropriate appearance) Team score 2
Out for a Walk* - Handler= 2 (smooth and relaxed); Animal= 2 (smooth and loose lead)
Team score= 2
Walk through a crowd* - Handler=2 (good interactions); Animal = 2 (loose lead)
Team score =2
Reactions to distractions- Handler =2 (good interaction and relaxed); Animal = 2 (little reaction, recovers quickly) Team score =2
Sit on cue- Handler= 2 (good interaction and smooth); Animal =2 (sat on initial cue)
Team score =2
Down on cue - Handler = 2 (proactive, smooth and good interactions); Animal=1 (One extra cue) Team score =1 ((Ok this was defiantly Danas fault!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not mine!!! I promise. She told me down, I did and I got half way down then she gave me the sit hand signal. HughOh well she told me again Down and I did.))
Stay in place* - Handler =2 (good interactions); Animal =2 (stayed in place the entire time) Team score =2 Come when called - Handler = 2 (good interactions); Animal=2 (came on initial cue) Team Score = 2
Reaction to a neutral dog - Handler=2 (smooth and good interaction); Animal=2 (ignores the dog and walks on a loose lead) Team Score =2

*The team must score no less than "2" on each of these exercises to be eligibe for Complex environment Qualifications (IE: Access to a locked psych ward or a prison)

pretty good If I must say so my self!!

Dr. Vincent Carbone, BCBA Seminar

2004-11-13T20:42:00.000-05:00

A Note Form Dana
On Friday Nov. 5, I went to a conference hosted by William Beaumont Center For Human Development. At this seminar Dr. Vincent Carbone was the main presenter and his topic of Discussion was "Teaching Learner Cooperation and Verbal Behavior to Children with Autism." He was fabulous!! I was able to learn so much from him. Some points I learned are as follows:

Skinners work on Verbal behavior (published in 1957) tends not to influence the behavior analytic approach. Carbone does base his work on the principles that Skinner laid out.He stresses that we do need to begin using language paradigms to help teach children with autism use language effectively (either spoken or sign).
Carbone emphasizes MAND training. MAND is very motivating for a child who is not normally interested in speaking because through this interaction they GET something they want. This does not happen when the child is asked to label an object using TACTS or through RFFC because these only benefit the hearer. Many ABA programs today, however, emphasize labeling items. The result is that a child is able to "touch the crescent moon" but cannot ask for milk!
Motivation, Motivation, Motivation!!!
MANDs, TACTs, Interverbals etc. are all different skills.
In a LOT of situations, natural settings are much more beneficial than table training. Especially for Wh questions.
MANDS are important because: They encourage spontaneous speech, because with a MAND the child initiates the communication, rather than responding to an SD; MANDs, together with intraverbals, form the basis of conversation. For example, "how are you? Where did you go last night?" (MAND for information. Response: "I went to the cinema" (Intraverbal). This is how conversation works; A child who is not really proficient on MANDing and Intraverbal repertoires will never be able to have a conversation; A child who cannot MAND in a more sophisticated way for information cannot have a conversation with a peer.
If you push to increase the Length of Utterance, the child is likely to learn incorrect grammar. It is better in the long run to allow single word responses. Allow the child to build their own sentence structure by allowing the child to mix and match what they have learned in order to produce longer utterances.
Yes/No is very complex. They are used as MANDs, TACTs and Intraverbals. For example yes as a MAND would be "yes I want the book", yes as a TACT would be "yes it's a book", and yes, as an IV would be "yes I can read a book". As these different uses of yes/no occur one must be aware that they are all taught differently.

There is SO much more that I could have put down. He is a fabulous speaker who is easy to follow. If you are interested in ABA, Verbal Behavior, individuals who have autism or other disabilities that hinder communication then I highly recommend that you attend one of his seminars.

Dana

What a week...

2004-11-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

Time to catch up. We had a really long week. Dana had 3 tests and Tuesday it was her birthday. With homework, studying, work and ABA, there was very little free time. But ahhhh....I now have time to post the exciting things for the week!! R U Ready?

On Monday, MY NEW COLLAR CAME!! :) It took a long time but it is finally here! It is made of black leather and has a name plate on it!! Dana ordered it form LDS Leather. We needed to get a new one because the old one was stinky and would not wash enough to get rid of the smell. I actually liked the smell, after all it was me who put it there with all the rolling that I do. Dana on the other hand did not agree with me. One day she could take it no longer so she THREW IT OUT!!! That is ok I guess, I like the smell of leather as well.

On Tuesday was DANA'S BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday to Dana! What a day. When we walked out side in the morning, we saw a HUGE chalk message on the side walk that said "Happy 21st Birthday Dana!". That crazy suite mate....leaving messages for every one to read. Later Dad came to visit and he brought a CAR with him. Sure a car....So what. He left it here for us to use. WE HAVE A CAR!! Oh boy! Later in the evening, we when to ABA and after the family gave Dana birthday brownies! I bet they were SO yummy. Then we went out to dinner. Oh the life of a Dog...She gets brownies and spaghetti but I get nothing :..( After this we went to the Disability Support group and they had a B-day cake that was chocolate with vanilla frosting with ice-cream on the side!! It smelled SO good! What a day!

Not much out of the usual happened on wednesday except that we went to Pet Co. to get Louise some fish and an aquarium for her office. She is so goofy. She said that Dana and her driving together is like having the Blind leading the Disoriented! Well I guess it is true. If there is one task that I need to learn but really can't, it would be giving Dana directions while she is driving. Holland is a new place for Dana to drive so WATCH OUT!!!

Well I guess that is about it. Next saturday we have our Delta Society therapy dog test in Grand Rapids at the Kent County Humane Society so we will continue to work hard on the tasks that need polishing this week.

Have a good weekend everyone. I know we will!!

Wind Dancer

2004-11-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

I found this poem on Disability Grapevine

(A poem for my autistic daughter)
She had come home with so much joy,
the house could not contain her.
So we went out onto the hillside.
A cold wind swept across the Skeabost, running its fingers through the heather.
She pointed to the road and said "Walk",
so we ran, scattering the sheep before us.
At the top of the hill
she put out her arms
and slowly began to dance
for the light and the air.
She has not seen Rain Man,
no one has told her how to think or feel.
this is the dance of her soul.
As I watched I began to see that,
as she danced with the wind,
the wind danced with her.

Level 2 training update

2004-10-31T21:39:00.000-05:00

Who is the smartest dog in the world?
You guessed it!
I am!

I guess I have to give credit to Dana as well. She is a pretty good teacher.

So as of last time we needed to perfect watch, learn stand, distance and go to mat.

Watch is now at about 6 seconds on average even in distracting settings. I can hold 10 seconds in quiet and boring places.

Stand is progressing fabulously! Dana and I went to the laundry room where there is a large sturdy table. At first I was unsure about being on the table and so it took a few clicks to get me comfortable with working on the table but shortly I got the idea that it was ok and was not some scary thing like the table at the vets office. Using a lure I clicked for a change in balance forward shifting then for a slight lift in the hind quarters. After 100 trials I was standing up form both a sit and a down, not on command mind you but still using the lure, very quickly. After a few more days of this Dana let me work on the ground again and I remembers what to do to make her click! Dana says I am now ready to add the verbal cue and begin fading the lure. We will work on this this next week. I have never trained with a table before, I kind of like it.

Distance is now mastered at this level. I will go around an object (usually a chair) on the voice cue "out" counter clockwise. Dana used a lure again to teach me this behavior. She clicked as soon as I was committed to going around. After 20 or so lures with her next to the chair and facing it, she backed up a few inches so there was now a gap. After 20 or so more she backed further away so I could fit through the space between her legs and the chair. I tried to go around her instead of the chair and did not get a click!! What no click!! What is this? She asked me to do it again this time with a greater lure and I have not looked back since. At the end of our last session I went out and around the chair at a distance of 4 feet!! I know that after practice this is good but the real test is when Dana tells me to go "out" when I am not expecting to have to do this behavior. When this happens I am able to do it form a distance of a little over 2 feet. While we work on other behaviors such as Go To "mat" (which we have not started) we can work on using different objects as well as decreasing the physical cue and increasing my understanding of the verbal cue.

That's all for now.

Fletcher the wonder dog

Trick-Or-Treat!!

2004-10-30T23:39:00.000-04:00

Halloween weekend!! So much fun!! Saturday Dana and the suite mates decorated the hallway as a grave yard for a door decorating contest (YES they won) . I was more of a hinderance than a help. There was paper and leaves all over the hallway and I though that I should help clean up the paper mess (the begingins of a paper tree) and play in the leaves (yes Dana brought real leaves in form outside!!). Later the girls ordered Pizza and when it arrived they did not even offer me any!! Can you believe that! So I took it upon my self to open the pizza box ever so gently, take a single piece out and enjoy my first (and my last adds Dana) piece of peperoni pizza. I can be a naughty dog! GRIN! At 6 the kids came. I have never seen people dressed in such strange ways. All the people thought I was cute in my candy corn bandana and Doggles. They did not have to tell me that!! I already knew I was the cutest dog on the planet!

Hope you had a great Halloween like I did!!

Aspie Moment

2004-10-29T19:56:00.000-04:00

Ok..I know this is Fletchers Blog but he said I could post once in a while.

So this week I had an "Aspie Moment". I have a feeling these times happen much more than I realize but this one I was able to notice. So...in my religion class we were assigned a '6 to 8 page paper' due this past week. I completed it no problem with 6.5 pages. When it came time to turn it in however I notice that every one else's is DOUBLE SPACED!!! Usually the prof specifies if they want it double spaced or not so when he did not specify, I took it literally as no double spacing. HUGH!!!! I wrote twice as much as was assigned. I just hope that he does not decide to take points off....

Beautiful outside!

2004-10-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

Hey! Is everyone having as nice a fall as I am? All the leaves on the ground are so fun to play in....as long as you don't loose your Kong like I did earlier this week. On Wednesday before I was able to play in the pine grove Dana took me to the anchor to have my picture taken before all the leaves fell from the trees (See below). She wants to get my pic on the anchor form all 4 seasons. So far we have spring and fall. I ask why it is only I in the pictures all of the time. Dana tells me I am silly and that I should know the photographer can never be in the picture. I tell her she needs to get a remote triggering device. See the Dog is the brains of this opperation.

2004-10-29T19:45:00.001-04:00

Another Picture....Can I go play now?

2004-10-29T19:45:00.000-04:00

Me on a nice colorfull fall day

Carving a Pumpkin

2004-10-23T23:35:00.000-04:00

Tonight we carved a pumpkin. What fun! I was not alowed to do any of the cutting but I did get to help clean up the pumpkin mess all over the floor!!

Hey guess what else I did today that was SO much fun?? I got to go swimming....in a puddle. :) This morning it rained really hard from about 7:30 to noon (so hard that I was soaked after going to the bathroom outside). At 4:30 Dana decided that she needed a break form the paper writing so we went for a long walk and I found the puddle that should be called a lake! After about 30 min of play time Dana started to walk back to the dorm so being a good buddy I followed. Then she gave me a BATH. How unfair don't you think?!

2004-10-23T23:34:00.000-04:00

The final Product. Do you like it?

2004-10-23T23:33:00.001-04:00

Do you have to take my picture???

2004-10-23T23:33:00.000-04:00

Carving our pumpkin

2004-10-23T16:22:00.000-04:00

Hey This is me, Fletcher!

2004-10-23T16:19:00.000-04:00

And this is Dana

A New Program?

2004-10-22T23:08:00.000-04:00

GUESS WHAT!!! Dana is at it again! She found a new trainig program that she has started with me....AUGH. Sue Ailsby has what she calles Training Levels posted on her web site for her new SDIT (Service Dog In Training). There is even a group on yahoo for these levels. Well....she joined....and now we are working with some direction (as opposed to random tastks/tricks). I told Dana that I was no SDIT and I already knew a lot of the tasks on that list all the way up to Level 7....but she said there were holes that needed to be filled in.

Well first things first....what do I know

Level 1: Mastered

Come is on a command and I respond wonderfully from a distance of way more than 20'.
Down I can do as well with a voice command or a hand signal.
Sit is the same...I'm not to sure of the hand signal though.
Target I can touch a person's fist, a colored patch on a wall/door and a target stick with my nose. I reciently got an ally oop towork on distance with...However I want to retrieve it iestead of just touching it.
Zen. I can do this perfectly to but I think it is crule and unusual punishment to leave food on my paws and not be able to touch it. What if Dana left the room....hm....I dont know.

Level 2: Needs a Bit of work.

Eye contact has always been our down fall. Dana would like border collie type eye contact. Is this a realistic goal for me? After all I am a smart GR. I can tryhard.
Come...aren't I wondreful.
Crate is good to after much effort and several months of work.
Distance around a pole ...what pole....around?? Guess I dont know this one
Down Stay again aren't I wonderfull? Dana can be in the room, out of the room what ever...I stay put.
Go to Mat What is a mat? I guess I need to learn this to.
I do fantastic with Handling and Leash mannars
Sit stay is fine for a minuit or to...then I get lazy and so I decide to lie down, but it is fine for the level of duration required for thislevel.
Stand...How can I say this planly....I HATE STAND. We worked on this for a LONG time. I guess we will start again.
Target is OK. I need to work no keeping my retrieving mouth shut though....
Tricks are something I can do!! Sit prety, around, play dead (roll) shake, around....but I am always looking for another fun way to earn a treat!! How about weaving through Dana's legs.
Zen...I'm such an angle

So I guess that is where we stand. Lets get to work on level 2.

Life at school

2004-10-22T22:23:00.000-04:00

Boy have we been busy in the past couple of weeks! We came back to school, started working with a young boy 3 times a week, and working harder than normal on traing as Dana has found a new program to work on.

We live on campus at Hope College. We moved in almost 2 months ago for this semester and have been really busy ever since. The campus is my home, I am comfortable here. I know a lot of people here on campus (more than Dana knows I bet), I know my way around campus and the town (especially to Harry's, a Leader Dog , office) and I know how to get home from down town. Every day there is quite a bit of quiet time such as when we are in class or when Dana is studying. During this time I play with my toys and pretend I am a bucking bronco, sleep, watch squirrels out the window, sit on Dana's lap or lay on her if she wants me to (It helps her to calm down and focus) and retrieve anything that might get Dana's attention on me. When we are out walking around on campus or down town, and I am "dressed", I am on my best behavior. I wear a guide harness and a vest that says "Service Dog. Please Don't Pet Me I'm Working". Dana is able to see but having the extra "connection" to me with the harness is helpfull to keep her anxiety level lower.

Some days we go to work at a young boys house and Dana works with the boy using ABA and I play out side with my doggie friend. Actually I really don't like playing with him but Dana makes me as she says it is good for me to "just be a dog" for once. I much rather be helping her and the boy. Usually Dana lets me come and work for about half of the time and I really like that. Just to let you all know, I do like playing with my doggie friends but I get worked when Dana is not around. I want to always have her in my sight. If she comes and plays with us that is the BEST!!

For my "doggie play time" at school I get to go and chase squirrels in the Campus "Pine Grove", play with Harry, Flash and Elvis my doggie friends on campus, go rollerblading (well Dana rollerblades and I run GRIN), go for long walks, retrieve my Kong toy, and tug on my Rope bone. This freetime really is not completly free though because Dana and I practice obedience such as heel, wait, stay, directed retrieves, down, sit etc. But we keep it fun.

Enough for now? Probably