We were able to join another trainer one morning. It was amazing to see another dog in training and realize that we are doing great and that it is a learning process for everyone. We met at the library where we practiced not meeting (having each dog only focus on it's person) when another dog comes into a building. We then went outside and let them briefly greet. We walked over to a little cafe to have tea and practiced having both dogs stay quietly under the table. They were great. Finally, we walked to the street corner and practiced pushing the button for the light to change. I hope we can do this again.
It is spring and many people are bringing their dogs with them to the park and in the car. A new challenge for me, since some of these dog owners think it's ok to open the car hatch and let their dog run over to us. You would think that they would be cued in to the situation by seeing a person using a walker and with a dog with a cape on. I even had one of these dogs knock me and my walker over. This resulted in lots of ugly bruises all over my legs. As a result, we are practicing my holding up a hand and yelling stop to the person and dog and then asking the person to get their dog. I am learning to be more vigilant about our surroundings and anticipate other dogs.
I am also going to carry a water bottle so I can protect myself if a dog is going to charge at me. In class I can speak up for myself and out in public I am learning to speak louder, more firmly and clearly to strangers. We are also practicing having Blitz look at me when he sees another dog coming. He is getting really, really good at this.
Again, Trader Joes is amazing and they are even helping me with role playing. Yesterday, we had too many people want to visit with Blitz and with their help I practiced saying no politely and explaining that he was working for me and needed to not be distracted. We practiced having Blitz look me in the eye and visit (put his head in my lap while looking at me) when he sees someone heading for him. This helps me when I am explaining that I need his attention.
We have mastered picking up the leash or my keys when I drop them. He is giving it to me when I say "Leash or Keys" at home, at the park, in the store and in the parking lot. The next step for me will be to have him do this automatically without a word cue because I don't always know that I have dropped something and these are things I want always picked up.
He is working on picking up the phone and giving it to me and I think I am going to store it in a little mesh bag to make it easier for him not to push the buttons. We will ask about this in our next class.
The next class will be at our house where we will identify more things he can help me with. My list includes, bringing the laundry to the washer, sorting the laundry, opening and closing drawers and doors, turning lights on and off, opening and closing the bathroom door, bringing my wash chair to the shower and generally keeping me from falling.
We are doing our best and learning new skills every week. It is true that practicing the easy pieces first makes it faster to learn something new.
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