datachie, Author at Smart Dog University

A Talos Weekend

December 23, 2010

I was nervous about seeing Talos last weekend. I haven't seen him since the dreaded turn-in. Would I cry? Would it be too hard to leave him again? Would I upset him by appearing and then leaving again? Would he remember me?

I didn't cry (much). It was hard to leave him again, but not nearly as hard as the drop-off. I don't think I upset him. He definitely remembered me.

Talos wiggled, he talked, he danced. I was just as ecstatic. I always wonder what the dogs think: one day we're there, the next day we're gone. He clearly remembered me; where did he think I'd gone? Did he care? Did he wonder why I left again? Does he wonder if I'll be back again?

When I left Talos at Service Dogs of Virginia, he was scared, unsure of himself, and looked miserable. The dog I saw on Saturday was a different dog. Yes, he was very happy to see me, and he was very confident, very comfortable, and dare I say…more grown up. I left Talos as a teenager, and now he's a grown up. Ready to go out into the world. <sniff, sniff> My little boy has grown up.

He works beautifully for the Training Director, he has terrific housemates who eagerly play with him. They chase, they romp, they carry the stick together. It's really quite sweet.

And did I mention what a grown-up he's become! He looks so much bigger (but can he really be, it's only been a few months). And the maturity – he's a real working dog now! Don't worry, I managed to get him back into his silly, no-work mode for a few moments while I was there. The silly, ridiculous dog is still inside him, he just knows when to turn it on and off now.

I got some video while I was there. I hope to get it up in the next few days.

I left this visit with a little bit of closure. He's happy. Therefore, I'm happy. Would I take him if he was dismissed? In a heartbeat. But I'm super proud of the silly dog. I'm happy to have played a tiny part in his development. And he put my head in his mouth just like old times. What could be better? (For the record, the agency frowns upon that kind of behavior in a service dog. Odd, huh?)

A Match for Talos (Video)

December 10, 2010

This is why we raise service pups. The tears and heartbreak at turn-in seem to disappear when you see "your" dog with his new person. Oh, I still miss him. I always will. But the sense of accomplishment seems to be a balm for the sharpest pain.

I was very pleased when I heard that a match had been made. It means Talos is almost done with all the training and ready to go out and make a life-changing difference in someone's life. This is what it's all about.

His partner is a great gal and she's watched Talos progress from a wee baby into the handsome gentleman he is today. She's known for quite some time that Talos could potentially be hers – and she's sent him gifts in the mail, supported me through the terrible turn-in, and will be a terrific partner for a terrific dog.

Generally, the match between dog and person is done first on paper. The service dog organization identifies the dog (or dogs) that have the skills to match the applicant. A match on paper, however, is only the first step. There's got to be a personality match. The dog and the person have to have chemistry. Without that chemistry, the perfect dog and the perfect person might make an awful team.

I wasn't there when Big T got to meet his match, but I heard it was quite impressive. There was chemistry. I do, however, have a little bit of video of the two of them together (compliments of T's new partner). (See below.) The official transfer from Service Dogs of Virginia to the new partner will begin in late January. It will take about two weeks of long, hard days for the two of them to learn how to work together, how to become a team, how to trust one another.

I'm a proud mama. The first time I saw the video, I burst into tears. Big T is going on to do good things. Great things! Go, T, go!

Click here to watch the video full screen on Smart Dog U's YouTube channel.

Ike’s Socialization Field Trip

December 7, 2010

All pups need to be gently exposed to lots of different sights, situations, experiences, people, sounds, etc. It's called socialization. The more socialized your pup is when he's 5 months old or younger, the better adjusted and less flighty/scaredy he'll be when he's all grown up. It's not hard to socialize a pup, it just takes some planning, some very good tasty food, and the willingness to leave if your pup's not having a good time.

Last week, Ike got to visit a federal building and rode on a freight elevator, saw some really strange looking staircases, and experienced a long, shiny hallway. He was unaffected by most of what he saw – watch the video below and take note of his waggy tail and happy demeanor.

If the video is cut off on the blog, click here to view it on YouTube.

Not Tango’s Fault, Handler Error

December 4, 2010

Tango and I have been practicing Nose Work. It's a relatively new sport, and for the first time on the East Coast, the Odor Recognition Trial (ORT) was offered.

This was a little bit of a big deal. First time it's been offered waaaay over here on the East coast. It's been a West coast sport for a couple years and is finally drifting over to us.

The trial is relatively easy: there are 12 boxes and Tango just needs to indicate the box that contains the scent (birch). He'd been rippin' it up at home — finding the correct box every single time. He was good! We were ready!

Yeah, except I wasn't ready. We approached the start line and I gave Tango the "Find it" cue. Except he wasn't looking at me. Being the happy Labrador that he is, he was quite enamored with the judges. Oh, and the spectators, he liked them quite a bit as well. The boxes that might or might not contain the odor – yeah, not so interested in those. Which was NOT a good thing.

The leash got tight. Not a good thing. Tango sniffed the boxes, he sniffed the floor. He went completely off course. He wagged at the spectators. He sniffed the boxes again.

I panicked.

He paused at a box. I alerted. Once you alert, you're done. If your alert is correct, you "win." You get your ORT. If your alert is wrong, you're done. Finished. No second chance.

Well, Tango was wrong. Or, should I say, I was wrong. I thought I was right, but one day later (tonight), Tango proved how good his nose was. And with that proof, it was really easy for me to shift the blame from him TO me.

Here's how it went down: it was dark and I was throwing Tango's tennis ball in the back yard. He typically chases it, somehow locating it in the dark, and always brings it back to me. I throw like a girl (go figure) and I must have tossed it into the lilac bush. The lilac bush, for the record, was pretty far away. I should get points just for getting it TO the bush. Never mind the fact that I threw it into the bushes; we'll just ignore that for now, ok?

Except that I thought it went into the grass. I prompted Tango to "find it." That's the same cue we use in Nose Work. It was pitch black outside. I thought the ball rolled through the Hostas and came to rest in the Lilac Bed. Tango kept looking up into the lilac bushes.

I knew quite well that the ball was not in the lilac bush. I distinctly heard it roll through the hostas! I cued "find it" again. Still, this crazy dog is looking upward! What is his problem?!

Finally, in frustration, I turned the back flood lights on. Guess what I saw? About eye level (to me) in the stupid lilac bush?

That stupid tennis ball.

So clearly, the fact that Tango blew the ORT on Friday was on me. Not on him. He knew where his tennis ball was in the dark in the tree! Ok, so I was more than humbled.

I was a bit embarrassed. Not to mention I was crushed that *I* was the reason Tango didn't pass his ORT. It wasn't Tango. It was ME! Talk about humbled…

So. I'm not sure when our next chance at the ORT will be, but you better believe I'll train hard. I'll work my you-know-what off so I can be the handler Tango needs so he can pass the ORT. I have my marching orders: TRUST YOUR DOG!

The “Great” Dilemma

December 3, 2010

Last weekend, I was this close to having a permanent Great Dane in my house.

This close! It’s no secret that I’m in love with the giant breed. Over Thanksgiving weekend, my husband and I attended an AKC dog show. It was the first time I’d been around Danes since turning Talos in. I was a little taken aback at the sting that came from just seeing a harlequin (the spotted ones) Dane. I thought I’d recovered enough from Talos’ turn-in that I could handle it. After momentary panic, I collected myself and stepped into the middle of about six Danes.

One Dane in particular, though, really drew me in.

She looked nothing like Talos, so it surprised me a little at how much I liked her and how quickly it all happened. Her name is Macy and she’s a mantle (black and white) Great Dane. She is quite a bit smaller than Talos, but (1) she’s a female and (2) she’s only 11 months old.

We spent a little time with Macy, talking with her owner (who couldn’t have been any nicer!).

Compared to the other Danes at the show, Macy was very laid-back and very personable. Her tail wasn’t tucked. She didn’t appear stressed or scared or flighty. She was cool as a cucumber. And really, really silly. I’m a sucker for silly.

Talos had this habit of putting his head over my shoulder and sort of wrapping his head around mine.

I loved it. I lived for it. I knelt down to see Macy eye-to-eye and guess what she did — head over the shoulder and wrapped it around my kneck. I was in love!

Talos was a big lap-sitter, too.

Even if there wasn’t a lap to sit in, he’d still try to fit his 160 pound self into some semblance of a lap. After Macy wrapped her head around my neck, she also tried to sit in my non-existent lap. Oh dear, that was it! I was a lost cause.

Then, Macy’s owner mentioned that she was looking for a good home for Macy.

But would still need access to her to get her to shows and to potentially breed Macy (as long as she cleared all the health checks). Was this a dream? A Dane? For me? Are you kidding?!

There were a lot of things I liked about this breeder.

Health and temperament were very important to her. She’s also very interested in genetics (not all breeders are, believe it or not). She’s involved with the pups she breeds, even after they are in their new homes. She’s big into training and knew about the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (another biggie for me). It couldn’t be any more perfect!

So where’s the dilemma, you ask?

Here it is: we have four dogs in the house. Tango’s my main main – and I don’t want that position to change. He’s my favorite, I love spending time with him, and he’s the one who gets all the special treatment. Then there’s the service pup in-training. Right now, it’s Ike. But after Ike goes back to Hero Dogs, we’ll get another service pup to raise. Lily and Nemo aren’t chopped liver, either – they need time and attention and love, too.

If a Great Dane came into the house, I’m worried that all the other dogs would suffer because of it.

I want to be able to focus on the Dane, without leaving anyone else out. Right now, with four dogs, that’s not possible. Bringing in another dog would mean that all the dogs would get less attention, even the Dane.

The decision’s not final, I’m still vacillating.

But I was really happy to know that some of the characteristics I loved in Talos can be found in other Danes. They’re “Dane things,” not just “Talos things.” And speaking of Talos, I’m planning to visit the big lug in just a couple of weeks! It’ll be the first time I’ve seen him since the turn-in day. Here’s hoping I don’t break down in tears…

The Christmas Tree (The Dogs Picked It)

December 1, 2010

As is standard tradition, we took dogs with us to pick out our christmas tree. I honestly can't remember a dog-free christmas tree farm visit. It just wouldn't be the same without the pups!

This year it was just Tango and Nemo. Lily and little Ike stayed at home – it was gray and drizzly, and besides, we didn't want to leave just one dog at home. So Dana chose Nemo and I (of course) chose Tango.

The dogs love to run through the fields (on leash, of course) sniffing and snuffling to see what scents they can uncover. I only wish I had their sense of smell for just one day! I would love to know what complex smells they can latch onto and recognize.

The folks who own the christmas tree farm are dog-friendly and even let the dogs into the barn where they have fresh wreaths and other christmastime goodies for sale. The dogs get a good whiff of all the good smells there, too. We usually run across a few families who want to come over and pet the dogs. The dogs are all too happy to oblige – there's no such thing as too much love from the dog's perspective!

Going to the christmas tree farm is one of our traditions we share with the dogs – what are your traditions involving dogs?

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