Great Puppy Meeting

Last night, Cabana and I got to have a bit of individualized time with our CFR (Community Field Representative) Celeste and another CFR from Oregon, Pat. We wanted to work on Cabana's walking and dog distraction. This is our biggest challenge because Cabana still pulls quite a bit on leash, ESPECIALLY when other dogs are around.

We worked on a better way for me to hold the leash (way down on the braided section, just a few inches from the clasp) and where exactly Cabana should be positioned in relation to me (right next to my knee). We worked on having Cabana sit straight when on leash (she was tending to angle her bottom outward), as well as how I should turn left into Cabana and make us go in the opposite direction if she's pulling forward to meet an oncoming dog.

This morning on our walk, I put all those strategies into play. And there was such marked improvement. Now I feel like I have a whole new bag of tricks to help us be more successful. During our time with the CFRs, they determined that there should be no treats given during walks (too confusing for Cabana at this point) and no training collar. Cabana will be strictly on the head collar and eventually transition to just the flat collar.

Also at our meeting last night, we worked on prolonged sit-stays and down-stays, with lots of distractions thrown in. Kids walked in and around the pups with toys and squeakers and treats. Cabana is very good at staying. And considering how much she LOVES other dogs, I was amazed and proud of Cabana for staying put in such distracting circumstances.

And here is the requested photo of Persia (I didn't forget, Taelor!). She wasn't at the meeting last week when I took photos of the other pups. Persia is a cutie, although her raiser says she's a bit of a "slug" (low energy). (Hello, I wouldn't mind getting a slug for our puppy swap in a couple weeks.)



And a few of the career change dogs that sometimes come to our meetings. Here's Truman, who lives with Hamlin and family. Seven-year-old Truman is like a big cuddly teddy bear--so sweet and gentle.


And funny little Berlin, who is staying with Poppy this week.

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Tuesday Topics 9 - Share Your Dog Do!

On the way to work, I pass by a dog park that is completely fenced. I always look to see if there are any dogs romping around there, and 90% of the time, there's no one there. So yesterday, I decided to check it out with Cabana. Guide dog puppies are not allowed to go to dog parks, but I figured there was no harm if no other dogs are there. (Right?)

The photo above is of Cabana at the dog park. Boring picture. Even more boring dog park! I just didn't know what to DO there with Cabana. I tried romping around with her--but then she thinks I'm another dog and tries to jump and nip at me. After getting and giving corrections a bunch of times, that activity goes sour. We practiced recall a few times...Cabana sniffed around for a while...but it was definitely a dull outing.

Even when we're at home, I often feel like I don't know what to do with Cabana. Several times a day, usually while I'm working (I often work from home), she comes up to me and seems to want me to do SOMETHING for her. But what? She's not barking or whining--she's just sitting there, looking up at me. I usually stop what I'm doing and pet her for a few minutes, but this doesn't seem to be what she's asking for. Sometimes, I try giving her a different toy or taking her outside for a potty break and a breath of fresh air. But I don't want to feel like I've got to entertain my dog all the time--and I don't know, maybe that's not even what she's asking me for.

Believe me, I'm not one of those over-scheduling moms. My kids enjoy their free time, and I don't make them go to umpteen different lessons and clubs every week. So why can't I be more relaxed about Cabana? When Cabana is sleepy or tired and content to lay on her dog bed, I leave well enough alone. But when she seems to be asking me for something, I just don't have enough ideas. We've already taken our walks by now. You can only play so much tug of war, and puppy sit-ups and training exercises don't take much time, either.

So what do you DO with your dogs? Do your dogs come and look at you expectantly? Am I just imagining that I have to be DOING something for Cabana? Is it a mom/guilt thing? Psychoanalysis aside, I'd love to get a few activity ideas!

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Cabana & Me

A few weeks ago, while out on a walk, we passed by two lush and fluffy samoyeds. Cabana was overly intrigued by these dogs and got fabulously upset when we didn't stop to play with them. One of her "episodes" ensued, as she tried to jump on me and bite my shirt sleeve. While I was busily trying to calm her down, a passing woman laughed, "Hahaha! There's Marley!" Of course, she was referring to the dog from Marley & Me, commenting on the similarity of Cabana's appearance--and behavior--to the dog in the book/movie. NOT really helpful at that moment, but whatever!

This past weekend, we finally got around to watching that movie. I had read the book several years ago, but we weren't dog owners at the time and hadn't even contemplated getting a dog back then.

Personally, I found the movie extreeeeeemely disappointing. Not only did they barely show the dog (wasn't that the whole point, being that it's a DOG movie?), but when they did show the dog, he was almost ALWAYS doing bad and annoying things, thanks to the hapless owners. And the parts where the dog was being tender and sweet were cut to almost zero.

However, I did find entertainment value in the fact that some of the dogs they used for filming bore a HUGE resemblance to Cabana. (I know they used like 50 different dogs to play Marley). The reddish ears, the dark nose, even the pale stripes on the shoulders! All very Cabana-ish.

I used to think that all yellow labs looked the same. But now I see there are a myriad of different "yellow" colors, as well as other differences. Cabana's eyes and nose are very dark, whereas some yellow labs have pale eyes and pink noses. Cabana's coat has a lot of red in it, while other yellow labs look closer to white.

Although not exact, I had fun comparing. What do you think?

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Our Puppy Compadres

Last night, our puppy raising group met in the downtown area of my little hometown. We walked across bridges over water (not troubled water, unless troubled means dirty), up and down stairs, and through bustling sidewalks. I brought my camera and took photos of all the pups in training (except I forgot to take a photo of Cabana). We were missing Persia, but here's all the other pups in our group.

Handsome Hamlin--I think he might be the oldest in our group. He's a big fellow with gorgeous eyes. He'd be good to squish, don't you think, Poppy?


Newcomer Morrissey the Golden, in a folded up position.


Tara (left) and Cherish (right), checking each other out. Tara is just a week older than Cabana, and Cherish was our introduction to puppy raising (we got to puppy sit her during our application process).


Here's another of Cherish, all stretched out on the sidewalk.


And Cabana's buddy, Poppy, with her starry eyes and perpetual smile.

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Tuesday Topics 8 - Sink or Swim?

The temperature has been soaring into the mid-90s these past few days, so yesterday, I took Cabana for her first swim in my bosses' pool. The water temp was a balmy 80 degrees, not even too cold for my wimpy constitution.

For some reason, I thought Cabana would be channeling Michael Phelps. She had fallen into our tiny koi pond when she was about 10 weeks old, and even though the pond is about the size of wheelbarrow, I could tell from the few seconds that Cabana was in the water that she knew how to swim.

But that's the one and only time Cabana has been fully immersed in water. We bathe her in our kitchen sink so that we can take advantage of the water sprayer, and even though the sink is fairly large, the water isn't even up to her knobby knees.

So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that Cabana had her trepidations. Going with my puppy group leader's advice, I took it slow. I put her on the first step, then the second step, and she seemed to like the water. But when I carried her out into the middle of the pool, I could feel her little heart beating a nervous pitter-pat. So I held onto her for quite a while and carried her around and around while talking reassuringly. Then, I carefully let her go....

Cabana can definitely swim--but she doggy paddled straight for the side of the pool, where she hung on for dear life. I took her over to the steps so she could easily exit the water. I tried the same procedure about 3 more times, and each time, she made a mad splashing dash for terra firma.

I tried enticing her into the water with toys. I made my kids jump into the pool as an example. I even tried coaxing her with treats. But Cabana just preferred sniffing around the yard to swimming in the pool. Disappointing!

So, are your dogs swimmers? Did they take to it easily or were they like fish out of water? It looks like we've got a long hot summer just around the corner--and I'd love to be able to enjoy the coolness of the pool with Cabana!

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Cabana is a GRATE Dog!

I know, I'm SO corny. Every time Cabana and I walk over this grate by our house, I think about "grate" puns. So I had to get it out of my system. Sorry. But now it's over and done, and no one needs to be punished by my (questionable) sense of humor any longer.

Many other raisers commented on my Tuesday Topics 6 post that I should let Cabana run around on her own more. Let her romp around, sniff trees, and have more "free puppy time". So I was excited to try out my new retractable leash with Cabana this morning at a nearby park. I went to a few stores and saw that they were about $50 for the really long ones--pricey! So I got this one on eBay instead for half the price and free shipping (thanks, disabledjim!). It's 24 ft long, which I thought was really long--but after using it today, I wish it were still a little longer! But Cabana loved running around in the park. She ran circles around me, so I had to turn in circles to keep from getting tangled. It made me so dizzy! I came home and told my daughter about it, and she said, "Why don't you just pass the leash from hand to hand behind you instead of turning in circles with Cabana?" I said, "...oh...good idea...." Hey, I don't have a Masters degree for nothing!

Here's Cabana looking pooped and happy!

Now, I'm just waiting for my other eBay purchase to arrive--the Furminator! Thanks to Brittany and chloud9 for that tip. Gotta love that eBay!

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Tuesday Topics 7 - New Puppy Tips

These are photos of Cabana during the first month we got her--December 2008. If it weren't for blogging, the past four months would all be a big blur. I didn't start blogging until January, though--so for many reasons, December is still a big blur.

But I know that the GDB Puppy Truck is making its rounds now and that there are lots of folks waiting patiently (or not) for their puppy to arrive. Many people know what is in store for them with a brand new puppy, having raised before. But others are probably like I was--newbies without a clue.

So for today's Tuesday Topic, I thought it'd be great to share our best new puppy tips. Of course, we all know NOTHING is as wonderful as snuggling a little 2-month old puppy, smelling her puppy breath, and massaging all that loose skin that will take her months to grow into. But what helped you make it through those challenging first weeks, when the puppy is completely tabula rasa?


My tip: get ear plugs. Cabana barked and cried in her crate at night for the first two weeks, sometimes for as long as 45 minutes. It was really difficult to wait it out. I worried that she needed to relieve, even though she had just relieved. I worried that the neighbors could hear her and that she was keeping them awake. I worried that my kids couldn't sleep and would be tired at school the next day. I would lay in my bed, looking at the digital clock on my nightstand, and literally count each minute until she'd stop. Finally, I started using ear plugs, which didn't block out all the sound--but it helped me feel a little more relaxed. The barking didn't sound as loud, and I was able to stop watching the minutes on the clock.

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6 Things I Love About Cabana

Cabana turned 6 months old last week, but I only got the idea for this post yesterday. To commemorate Cabana's monthly "birthday", I will post some things that I particularly enjoy about her, one for each month of her age.

So here's this month's six (easy this first time since I've had 4 months to draw from):
1. She goes around puddles instead of through them.
2. She likes to snuggle when we watch TV.
3. She still does her happy dance when it's feeding time.
4. She never makes a peep in her crate.
5. She patiently lets me wipe the goopies out of her eyes.
6. She doesn't mess with snails on the sidewalk (blecch, nothing would upset me more).

Look what a big girl she is, weighing in at 40 pounds.

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend. Cabana likes to be outside with me when I work in the garden (lots of weeds to pull). Our yard is pretty small but completely fenced, so I let her meander around and sniff at will. She has gotten MUCH better about not eating leaves, tan bark, and whatnot. Cabana loves it when I turn on the hose to water the plants, and I let her have her first drink from the hose this afternoon. It's the little things in life that bring such pleasure!

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Where Oh Where Will My Little Dog Be Going?

Cabana's information packet from Guide Dogs for the Blind included a letter stating that her litter has been set aside for possible international placement. I don't know much about this at all, but my puppy group leader mentioned that GDB has a relationship with South Korea to help increase their breeding stock and that South Korea only uses yellow labs.

I did a bit of online research, and it looks like Cabana, if selected, will be going to the Samsung Guide Dog School. Sure enough, they only have photos of yellow labs on their site.

Ironically, I myself am Korean and was born in Seoul, Korea. I came to the U.S. when I was 2 years old, so my Korean language skills are embarrassing. However, I wondered if I should start teaching Cabana a few commands in Korean, so she'll have an inkling of what people over there are telling her to do. "Chokoman gang-aji, ahn jyuh ra!" (Don't worry, I'm not really going to do this.)

It makes me sad to think of Cabana going that far away. Even the thought of her being on an airplane, flying away from our home at hundreds of miles per hour makes me tear up. But that's what we signed on for when we decided to be puppy raisers. We can't choose where these dogs end up. And we have to trust that no matter what, Cabana will bring hope and help to people in need.

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Tuesday Topics 6 - Walking a Fine Line

Cabana likes to sit under my desk and put her head on my knees while I work. I knew the good Lord gave me padded knees for a reason--so I can be a good chin rest.

This week's Tuesday Topic is about WALKING. How can such a simple thing be so hard?! Guide dog puppies in training have to walk without pulling on their leash, pay unflagging attention to their human and ignore all the others, disregard dogs, cats, birds, fish, and not be tempted by sticks, stones, gum or fecal matter on the ground. That's a LOT to ask of these little babies.

Is it any wonder poor Cabana has the occasional tantrum when we're walking? I think I'd throw a hissy fit, too, if I were in her shoes. Thankfully, these past few days, Cabana has been doing much better. Thanks for the encouragement from other puppy raisers last week! It was sorely needed and much appreciated. I'm working on being more relaxed yet also more assertive--seems a little like an oxymoron, but I think I can do it.

Something I've wondered from the start is how far and how often we should be walking our pups (I know each puppy is individual--but humor me with generalizations). I have been diligent about walking Cabana every single day, but maybe that's not necessary or recommended. Maybe it makes walking seem like drudgery for both of us? There are definitely days when I'd rather not walk, but I've been making myself do it for her sake.

Right now, we walk for about 45 minutes, somewhere between 2-3 miles. Is that too far for a 6 month old puppy? Not far enough? Don't puppies go bonkers with too much energy if you didn't walk them that day?

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Sittin' in the Morning Sun

Cabana is 6 months old today--happy half birthday to youuuu, Cabana! Here's a photo I took of her this morning, wrapped around the leg of our piano. She loves to find the sunny spot in the room.

Yesterday, I gave Cabana a much-needed brushing. She's shedding so much, I'd think she was going bald. Look how much fur I removed from her coat, even though I brushed her a week ago!


The weird thing is that Cabana would like nothing better than to EAT that whole pile of fur. Blecch! I can somewhat understand the appealing crunch factor of wanting to eat a piece of bark or even wanting to sample the flavor of a pebble--but I don't see WHAT could be desirable about having a big clod of your own fur in your throat. I know cats do it all the time, but they can't help it--it's just a byproduct of trying to be clean. There's no redeeming quality in eating fur just for the sake of eating it!

Note to self--don't wear black sweatpants the next time you decide to give Cabana a good brushing. It's just not a good idea.

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Challenging Week

This sweet-faced little girl has been giving me such a challenge this past week, which is why I haven't blogged much. Cabana continues to be so wonderful indoors. She has terrific manners, loves her toys, waits calmly, loves to snuggle. But when we go for walks, it's a struggle.

Different things seem to set her off and cause her to have one of her episodes. Sometimes, it's passing a lot of dogs in quick succession. Or a loud motorcycle going by. Or being near or walking on large stretches of grass. Or it might be none of those things--maybe she just feels like having a tantrum. I have tried going for shorter walks, skipping a day, different walking paths, going back to the head collar, giving firmer corrections, and using a deeper "I mean business" tone of voice. But things seem to be getting worse. This morning, she had THREE episodes. Usually, it's just one, and then she seems to get really penitent and behave herself.

I don't let Cabana get away with it when she's having an episode, but I've been very good about remaining calm. Maybe too good? I wonder if this is backfiring on me. Maybe I need to get a little angrier. I think I'm being firm, but maybe she's not taking me seriously? I think my kids would say I'm still too nice when the episode is happening. But I'm usually by myself, so no one is there to assess me. Sigh.

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