Day 3 – It just got real!
Training for a guide dog can be one of the most unique experiences in a blind person’s life. You go through emotional high and lows, can mark milestones in a relationship that will span longer than some friendships, and can spend three or more weeks with strangers who often times will become lifelong friends connected by a bond like no other. Sound like rehab? Well that was the discussion from last night’s gathering of the “Women of the Dark.” Vegas rules and application for what was discussed. But for what is for sure, the discussion was sweet and impressionable.
Today was the first day I could work with Angie in harness throughout the whole main building of the school. It’s like graduating from your learners permit to an actual license. Prior to this point, we are required to have our dogs at the heel position as to lower the stress level they experience in those initial days of being a real guide dog. My girl is a spit fire! In the morning, she shoots out of her kennel like a cannon with big tail wags, licks, and a bark as if to say “Good Morning!” So working her in house was a similar experience where you feel so much power and energy from the harness from the word “Forward!”
As we began our first trip, I expected that energy and to also build upon the success we had the day before. While our walk started out well, it went downhill from there. She was a little hesitant going into the street, distracted by the goings on across the way, and a few other things that quickly eroded my initial confidence in her. My instructor agreed that Angie was off for this trip, but those words weren’t soothing at all or kept at bay the fears I have about repeating my experience with Mugs my first guide dog. I was afraid this was the first sign that Angie wasn’t the one for me. I know, it was just one trip! But try to explain that to emotions!
It’s crazy how emotions can wreck an appetite, good conversation, and for me my desire to connect more deeply with Angie. The ironic thing was that we were taking class pictures before lunch and honestly I didn’t want to go. My logic was that if she’s not the one, then why take a picture? Well thankfully my emotionally rattled logic was replaced by a solid trip in the afternoon with Angie. The thought is that not only is this an adjustment for me, it is just as much of an adjustment for her and probably even more so. She needs time to adjust to me, how I feel for and communicate to her, and how we engage together in movement.
We repeated the route for the third time and Angie was excellent in her work. At this point in training, the school also incorporates traffic checks which is basically a car cutting off our path by turning in front of us or pulling into a drive way while we’re crossing. The dogs are extensively taught how to handle those situations and we are routinely exposed to how our dogs will react and how we’re supposed to move on a dime together. There were two scheduled traffic checks with my name on it, but also the Morristown community decided to show some extra love and provide at least two more. But my girl was a champ! I am starting to discern when she’s making a gradual approach to the curb and when she’s making an intentional choice. They both feel different in the harness.
This was a huge help in boosting my confidence. But also being able to communicate with my instructor about my concerns, where they came from, and her encouragement and honesty in asking me to see each walk as a new walk and a commitment from her that she won’t let me leave without a good solid match. My experience isn’t unique. The Seeing Eye isn’t a Disney production. Stuff gets real here!
And we have to deal with the ups and downs of training not if, but when they come.
One aspect that I love about my dog is her vocal expressions. She is none to pleased with me staying up past her determined bedtime. During evening lecture, she wasn’t shy in expressing her displeasure. Now this isn’t a behavior I want to encourage, but just a new data point in learning about who she is. So the challenge will be whether we can successfully negotiate a suitable morning greeting and a reasonable bed time for us both!
Today was the first day I could work with Angie in harness throughout the whole main building of the school. It’s like graduating from your learners permit to an actual license. Prior to this point, we are required to have our dogs at the heel position as to lower the stress level they experience in those initial days of being a real guide dog. My girl is a spit fire! In the morning, she shoots out of her kennel like a cannon with big tail wags, licks, and a bark as if to say “Good Morning!” So working her in house was a similar experience where you feel so much power and energy from the harness from the word “Forward!”
As we began our first trip, I expected that energy and to also build upon the success we had the day before. While our walk started out well, it went downhill from there. She was a little hesitant going into the street, distracted by the goings on across the way, and a few other things that quickly eroded my initial confidence in her. My instructor agreed that Angie was off for this trip, but those words weren’t soothing at all or kept at bay the fears I have about repeating my experience with Mugs my first guide dog. I was afraid this was the first sign that Angie wasn’t the one for me. I know, it was just one trip! But try to explain that to emotions!
It’s crazy how emotions can wreck an appetite, good conversation, and for me my desire to connect more deeply with Angie. The ironic thing was that we were taking class pictures before lunch and honestly I didn’t want to go. My logic was that if she’s not the one, then why take a picture? Well thankfully my emotionally rattled logic was replaced by a solid trip in the afternoon with Angie. The thought is that not only is this an adjustment for me, it is just as much of an adjustment for her and probably even more so. She needs time to adjust to me, how I feel for and communicate to her, and how we engage together in movement.
We repeated the route for the third time and Angie was excellent in her work. At this point in training, the school also incorporates traffic checks which is basically a car cutting off our path by turning in front of us or pulling into a drive way while we’re crossing. The dogs are extensively taught how to handle those situations and we are routinely exposed to how our dogs will react and how we’re supposed to move on a dime together. There were two scheduled traffic checks with my name on it, but also the Morristown community decided to show some extra love and provide at least two more. But my girl was a champ! I am starting to discern when she’s making a gradual approach to the curb and when she’s making an intentional choice. They both feel different in the harness.
This was a huge help in boosting my confidence. But also being able to communicate with my instructor about my concerns, where they came from, and her encouragement and honesty in asking me to see each walk as a new walk and a commitment from her that she won’t let me leave without a good solid match. My experience isn’t unique. The Seeing Eye isn’t a Disney production. Stuff gets real here!
And we have to deal with the ups and downs of training not if, but when they come.
One aspect that I love about my dog is her vocal expressions. She is none to pleased with me staying up past her determined bedtime. During evening lecture, she wasn’t shy in expressing her displeasure. Now this isn’t a behavior I want to encourage, but just a new data point in learning about who she is. So the challenge will be whether we can successfully negotiate a suitable morning greeting and a reasonable bed time for us both!
Deena, You are amazing....!!!!!! To be able to write all this is just incredible! Angie may be a little more feisty than Denver, but you just never know what's in your future! How is she with kids? Get my drift..... teehee as you say.....
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