Can I just murder my laptop?

Anyway, I didn’t write too much last night Sorry everyone. After we got our dogs, we just spent time in our rooms with them. Later, the instructors called up down to the room where we have our meetings, the fireside room, and we had some discussions about using food rewards and what would be going on for the rest of the day. We were introduce to our classmates dogs, verbally anyway. We won’t interact much with each other’s dogs because it’s important for our dogs to bond to us. I won’t mention student or dog names in this blog without permission, so I’ll just say that Petunia is the only yellow colored dog in the class.

After meeting with everyone, we broke up and went with our instructor on a short walk outside. Petunia and I were not smooth or comfortable together, but that isn’t to be expected at this stage. She’s probably thinking, who the bloody gell is this idiot? But seriously, she did pretty nice work all the same.

After that, we came in and practiced walking up and down the halls here with our dogs heeling, as I said last night, walking at our side, not guiding, so not pulling ahead. If they don’t heel, we stop and pull them back into position until they are where they should be. If they get distracted, we do what is called a time out, where we grab the leash with both hands, right up by the collar and pull them into us. We stand still, not interacting with the dog at all for about ten seconds. they tell me it works wonders, because not getting contact from us is like a correction in a way, but time will tell. The juno did a good job of showing it, but I have to wait and see what I think in regard to a real dog.

We’re supposed to give them tons of kibble, walk a few paces then stop and reward, walk on stopa nd reward, that kind of thing. It’s tricky with Petunia so far, because since she stops accepting kibble after a while, that isn’t going to be the best motivator.

Honestly, It’s hard to get used to this, when for 39 years, if your dog didn’t heel, you either gave a leash correction or said, no, heel, or something. that little word no wants to come out of my mouth so badly. lol.

Last evening, she only ate part of her food. They put an antibiotic powerder on the evening meal, and she doesn’t like it. She also has not done her business except to pee at 5 last night. But she didn’t need to go out in the middle of the night. Hmmm. the only other golden guide I had didn’t relieve for 2 days! Yikes.

Currently, she’s quiet on her tie-down. I made coffee this morning, but the covered mug they gave us yesterday leaks anytime I try to drink it, so I’m going for a coke.

Today we will go into Gresham and start learning a route to a coffeeshop. Oh happy happy day!

I’m sorry people have had to wait so long to hear the news. It’s really been no stop running all afternoon and evening. this is the first chance I’ve had to sit down at the computer, and really all I want to do is sleep.

But enough of that. I know what you really want to know.

my dog is a female golden retriever named Petunia. She is beautiful. She is the more yellow gold color, not the red. She is about 19 months old and stands 23 and 3/4 inches tall. She has a fluffy head and neck and chest and tail. Her coat on her back isn’t as long as some goldens but much longer than a lab. She hs the cutest ears that are kinda long and always cocked back like she’s listening.

I wanted a golden so very much. I had a golden before, and it’s been fifteen years since then. I’ve loved all the labs I’ve had, but a golden was my heart’s desire and I’ve got her.

We practiced heeling, that’s walking up and down the hall and into rooms with the dog walking at our sides, not pulling ahead. They are not guiShe gets excited and wants to pull ahead. We also did a short guiding route on campus.

For people unfamiliar with the process, it will take a while for things to mesh. I’m used to my Olga’s working style, and Petunia is used to her trainer. We have to learn to work with each other, and that can take a while. But I’m pleased with our progress so far.

And wonder of wonders, she’s not super food motivated. so, after a while, she stopped taking food rewards. she didn’t eat all her dinner, and except for at the 5:00 relieving, she hasn’t done her business. I might be getting up in the middle of the night!

She’s now asleep on her bed next to mine. And I’m going to make one  phone call and go to bed.

I’m sorry this is brief. I have so much in my heart, but I need sleep!