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November 19th and November 26th - Shopping for a Thanksgiving Day Feast

November 2008 - Shaping the Retrieve and Visit to the Veterinarian

October 31, 2008 - Gestapo's Halloween Night

September 17, 2008 - Outing to Large Wholesale Club

August 6, 2008 - So There We Were At An Impasse

July 27th, 2008 - Working On Things That Are Fun But Not New

June 25, 2008 - Jacobsburg State Park - A Time to Reflect and Relax

June 18th, 2008 - Our outing to New Hope AND Peddler's Village

June 11th, 2008 - Outing To An Electronics Store and a Grocery Store and a Car Dealership All In The Same Day

June 4th, 2008 - Gestapo's Outing to the Furniture Store

May 21st, 2008 - Gestapo's First Outing at a Supermarket

June 25th, 2008 - Jacobsburg State Park - A Time to Reflect and Relax

Todays training session was just that but more. It was a day for Gestapo to be a dog and for me to relax and reflect on our training.  Just as in the past, we loaded up and were off to the State Park which was only a short distance comparatively to many of the places we have gone recently.  Gestapo has become very used to riding in the car and is able to relax and rest in between stops.  So after loading up, he laid down for a short nap while the trainer and I discussed our outing for the day.

 

We arrived at Jacobsburg State Park and found a suitable unloading area and one that also afforded shade to keep the car cooler.  There was some pedestrian traffic when we arrived but not that much.  We were able to unload Gestapo safely.  I believe that he immediately realized this was not going to be an outing that was truly work for him but more like fun.  He was wearing his vest and ID, he was well behaved but he also was able to sense that this was an interesting element in that it was a place of familiar smells of loam and wood and creatures other than himself.

 

Since the larger bridge was out, we had to traverse an area that was on the road which was a bit hazardous. He walked at heel and stayed safely at my side. When we reached the path to the wooded area he became increasingly interested in the smells of other humans and animals that had passed by and marked the area. 

 

As I said at the beginning of my post, this was a time for us to relax and reflect so although it was an opportunity to train I permitted him at times to break his heel and smell and do dog things under the ever vigilent supervision of our trainer.   We walked to the bathroom area and he waited patiently with the trainer while I used the facilities, then we walked on into the woods. 

 

We came across families with children there for a outing to play in the water.  Gestapo only paid passing notice to them.  He is very accustomed to children as I have an 8 year old myself.  It happens often though that children must be reminded that he is working while he has his vest on since most kids find animals almost irresistable to pet.  Everyone was respectful of this and moved past without a problem. 

 

We stopped on several occasions for pictures and to rest on a log or lean on a fence here or there and with the exception of the normal forging ahead that he does in a new place, he did wonderfully.  There were several occasions where there were other dogs - two small dachshunds, a golden retriever, a lab, since the path was so wide, we were able to "pull over" to the side and allow him to watch as the other dogs passed. He didn't really show much interest.  Although, because he has two playmates at home, I am sure he would have wanted to play but remained focused on the job at hand - attending to my immediate needs.

 

We walked for a time and got to an area that was far to difficult for me to traverse although Gestapo would not have had a problem, it was too steep and dangerous for me to handle.  At this point, we turned around and began walking back to the car.  We ran across a group of older children - maybe in their teens - with their camp couselors.  They were at the park for an outing the same as we were.  It was a large group of 10 or more children plus two counselors.  They were following us out.  Since I am unable to move as quickly as the kids, I opted to pull to the side of the path and allow them to bypass us so we would not hold them up.  Gestapo watched quitely as they passed us and continued on their way.  By the time we had reached the bathrooms again, the kids were all stopped, using the facilities.  Gestapo and I walked past the children and on to the path leading out of the park. 

 

We reached to roadway and I felt a bit safer heeling him on the lip of the bridge where he was safer from passing traffic.   We were able to get safely back to the car and get Gestapo loaded up - he is required to sit and wait until the back is opened and he is given the command to "place" into the car.  He then sits and his leash is removed, a stationary lead is then placed on his tie out collar.  Gestapo, now being used to this routine, settled in immediately for a nap.  We were able to travel home with no problems and as he usually does after an outing - he slept very well!

 

Of note, this was a day for Gestapo to train but to also have a bit of a break.  Being a service "assistance" dog is a demanding occupation for any dog.  He is in effect making sure that I am safe and that if I am unable to do something for myself that he is there to help me.  He loves his work and looks forward to having his vest on knowing that it means he has a job to do. 

 

Today was a happy day for me as well, the rigors of training can sometimes be overwhelming since there is so much to think about and be aware of to keep myself and my dog safe.  I was able to relax a bit as well and was satisfied that Gestapo was able to have some fun while still working.

 

As I often say, I never know where next week will bring us but I always know that if I have Gestapo at my side it will be an opportunity to learn and experience new things.  While our path is long and the days are short, we always are together as a team whether he is working or we are home relaxing.  He has become my right hand and holds my heart.

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May 21st, 2008 - Gestapo's First Outing at a Supermarket

 

Today started out like any other training day with one exception. I knew we were going to be going out and about in a public place that non-service dogs are not permitted to go. Obviously, I was nervous and quite honestly, very unfocused prior to leaving for the market. Gestapo as usual, donned his vest, collar and leash and was ready to get into the car to go. He enjoys his work immensely and seems quite pleased with himself when he has a successful outing.

 

Prior to our outing, we had a meeting to go over protocol so that we were all on the same page. Realizing that the dog would pick up on my nervousness, I made a conscious effort to quell the feeling and just move forward and keep in control. We found a suitable, safe area to unload and load Gestapo since the parking lot was a bit busy, it was farther than I usually like to walk but in the end, I will have a well trained assistance dog so to me it is well worth the work. 

 

Following parking the car and safely unloading Gestapo, we moved to the front of the supermarket. Gestapo was quite interested in walking toward the front of the building and had to be reminded rather frequently not to forge ahead. He was exposed to shopping carts outside, people who were interested in "looking at the doggie", cars, motorized scooters and just the different environment in general. Gestapo did very well, better than I did at that point. Training your own service dog under the direction of a professional trainer is not an easy endeavor. It takes work and dedication and I wondered if the work I had done was sufficient for Gestapo to move through the store in a controlled, reasonable manner.

 

In the end, he did move through the store safely, although I think I could have been more attentive to the situations surrounding myself and my dog.  It is very important to focus on your dog and work on that team bond that will last a lifetime. We ended our visit to the supermarket with a cup of coffee, a ride in an elevator and a rest at a lunch table where Gestapo was required to lie quietly at my feet until we were finished with our coffee.  He was a bit concerned about the comings and goings below him on the first floor of the store. At one point he let out a small bark.  A big no-no in the world of assistance dogs.......Gestapo is still a dog very new to the training so every mistake is an opportunity to learn. I learned how to handle that situation and he learned that down now means down with your head down and resting quietly.

 

All in all, our outing went well. We were able to move through the store on our very first attempt without incident. The patrons of the store (most of them) actually read his working dog vest - which tells a person not to pet him because he is working. He was loaded up into the car safely following our outing and he slept most of his way home! 

 

Gestapo is a dog that loves to have a purpose in life as all dogs do. I don't have any problems with chewing or anxiety behavior because his mind is always busy with the things he needs to learn to assist me should the need arise. Eventually we hope to teach him a myriad of behaviors which will allow me to be more independent and free to do the things I would otherwise hesitate to do or be unable to do completely.

 

I never thought I would be the person teaming up with a dog to assist me...But I have a dog that is willing to work and a need for him to work with me.

So our saga continues ……………stay tuned for updates to our page.

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June 4th, 2008 - Gestapo's Outing to the Furniture Store

For the past two weeks Gestapo and I have been working on our basic obedience skills and off leash recall, loading and unloading in a parking lot and practicing basic retrieving skills.

 

We were to go to a large, local furniture store for our outing today.  For me, as his handler, it was much easier to go out the second time.  I found that I was less focused on the mistakes I might make and much more focused on Gestapo's demeanor.  In effect, I was more attentive to my dog and our surroundings.

 

We arrived in the parking lot and found a suitable place to unload Gestapo.  This time however, there was no "safe corner" to park in and so we pulled through and parked in two parking spaces to better give space to unload and load the dog. 

 

Gestapo waited and exited the car appropriately.  We made our way through the parking lot, encountering only a few people and a small family with a very small child in a cart.  Gestapo did watch them, but he was not focused on what they were doing.   

 

We entered the furniture store and moved through the store.  It was difficult at first to keep the dog focused on me.  There were few people but many new sights and sounds.  The acoustics of the store were a bit different too which I think may have caused Gestapo to be a bit more alert.  After I got his focus, we moved through the store front to back and around.  Sitting several times in different locations to get a feel for how the dog was feeling.  We passed a small statue of a Labrador retriever which seemed to puzzle Gestapo.  He moved past the statue with confidence and then back through that area again at a later point in time.

 

We were waiting for a person we were with to choose some furniture and we were asked for our opinions.  We walked to the front of the store to look at the furniture and then proceed to sit on the couch while the decision was made.  We ultimately sat for about a half hour or a bit more. All the while, Gestapo waited lying peacefully at my feet.   He did raise his head on a few occasions when a person approached from behind him or too quickly.  

 

The transaction was completed.  I gave Gestapo a release from his down command and we moved slowly to the front of the store and out into the parking lot. 

 

The parking lot was now very busy.  People not watching where they were driving, talking on cell phones, backing up the wrong way.  It was all quite chaotic.  Gestapo moved through the parking lot confidently and without incident.  We got back to the car and upon setting up the ramp, before being given the command, he mounted the ramp and entered the car.  I removed him from the car and we began the process of wait and then load on command which he did with no problem.

 

The ride home was quiet.  He is always exhausted after new experiences because he is flooded with new sights and sounds that most regular companion dogs are not exposed to.   That is a very mentally exhausting exercise for both he and I.  He napped the entire way home and was quite happy to be crated after arriving home. 

 

Our outing this week went very well.  Please be aware though, a lot of hard work and time has been spent working with Gestapo at home and at the training facility.  We got where we were today by sheer repetition of the exercises that were necessary to make sure he would be controllable in a public venue.  Service dog training is not for the faint of heart but it is the most rewarding experience of my life. 

 

I hope you all are enjoying our journal of Gestapo's progress toward being a full fledged assistance dog.  Please look for more notes in the near future..................

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June 11th, 2008 - Outing To An Electronics Store and a Grocery Store and a Car Dealership All In The Same Day

Today we had an unexpected outing which did not give me much time to ponder what we could possibly encounter.  From a training perspective of the person training the dog, it was a good thing.  Why?  Because it didn't give me much time to focus on anything but making sure I was aware of my surroundings and my dogs behavior in those surroundings. 

 

Our first stop was the electronics store.  Parking here was a bit different in that we parked very close to the store entrance and I had to be quite careful about unloading and loading do to the traffic that was in the area.  I did have a smaller vehicle this time so it was not necessary to bring his ramp.  Gestapo was able to hop out once he was given the ok. He sat quietly while I closed the door but he seems to like to forge ahead when entering a new store.  Although he will comply to walking calmly at my side, he does like to smell new smells and see new things and therefore, he forges ahead.  I am working with him on this issue to remedy the slight pulling that he does.  We entered the store without incident as has become usual.  He navigated the perimeter of the store with me without a problem.  We did not encounter very many people on this visit.  There was a family that had a few small children but he showed only a passing interest in them.  It seems he is becoming accustomed to being out and in areas dogs generally are not permitted.  We spent about a half hour total in the store.  I was able to shop and purchase a few things that I needed while he waited quietly sitting at the register area.  After being given the command to break his sit, we then exited the store and loaded up for the trip to the next stop.......the grocery store.

 

This was a bit more chaotic.  Given that we arrived at a time that was exceedingly busy, there were tons of people, carts, cars, kids and anything you might imagine that could be in a grocery store.  We found an area away from the front of the store to safely park and unload Gestapo.  After parking and unloading we moved toward the front of the store and entered through the front doors - which I don't think I mentioned before, are the automatic kind that open on motion sensor detection.  Sometimes, these things can be puzzling to a dog but he walked through into the store.   We stopped to purchase coffee to drink.  He waited quietly at my feet while I mixed milk and sugar in the coffee.  Gestapo and I were waiting for the other party that was with us to get her drink and to keep his tail safe from carts we moved to a lower traffic area away from the coffee bar.  After she got her drink, we purposefully moved through the throng of people to the elevator area.  He confidently entered the elevator and sat while waiting for the elevator to arrive at the second floor.  When we got to the second floor, we exited the elevator without incident and walked quietly to an area that we could sit comfortably.   While we were enjoying our coffee Gestapo laid peacefully at my feet and actually fell asleep.  During this time a gentleman approached the table asking if Gestapo was a service animal.  I replied that he was and that he was a dog in training.  He shared some of his experiences that he had with differently abled persons and their assistance dogs and commented on how well behaved Gestapo was.  While the man was talking, Gestapo did not move, he didn't raise his head. After we exchanged pleasantries, the man went back to his table and we finished our coffee.  When we were leaving, we walked down the steps through more people who were carrying food and drink.  Gestapo walked the steps ignoring the passing people and walked out the front door with confidence.   We walked back to the car, loaded up and were off.

 

We had a short break which included a nap and then we were off again but this time to a completely different kind of place.  I am in the process of deciding on a different car so I brought him with me to the car dealership.  After arriving and unloading we walked the lot and looked at the cars.  A sales person approached and Gestapo and I.  He sat by my side while we exchanged names and other information.  Since they did not have the car I wanted I needed to go into the building while the sales person checked with her manager on what we could get for the trade and if they could get the car I wanted.  While they did all this checking - it took a while as it always does when you shop for a car - he laid in front of me by my feet and eventually laid on his side and fell asleep.  I wanted to look inside the car I was considering and he walked by my side and he waited patiently, sitting outside the car while  I got in and sat in the driver's seat.  The pavement was hot since it was a hot day so I kept this to a minimum so his feet would not be too uncomfortable.  All the while, he waited for me to finish looking without being pushy or trying to get into the car.  After this we went back into the dealership and sat for a few more minutes until we determined that they could not help me and we decided to leave.  I left the building, navigated across the parking lot and loaded Gestapo into my car. 

 

He was very, very tired by this time.   He had been to so many places today that were filled with new sights, sounds and people, he was exhausted.  Gestapo fell sound asleep on our way home and rested very well that evening. 

 

In the interim we have been working on his retrieving skills which has been slow going but progressive.  I have also continued to work on his basic obedience and recall as usual.  He has been very attentive and eager to learn new things.  And I am eager to continue on my journey with my dog at my side........there really has not been a more satisfying experience than training my own assistance dog.  It is an opportunity to bond more closely with a dog that is not only my assistant, but my companion and my heart.   Please watch for more updates on our work together.  As we move through the dance of life with happy and sad, easy and difficult times, I know that I am able to get up each day no matter how horrible I feel because I have my dog at my side always happy to be there and help in whatever capacity he is able.

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June 18th, 2008 - Our outing to New Hope AND Peddler's Village

 

Those of you who are following the progress that Gestapo and I have made will find that we are doing a lot more traveling than a few weeks ago.   And, you will also find that I do not stress about going out like I did in the beginning.  Gestapo and I have truly become a team and are beginning to work more as one than two.  I am much more aware of our surroundings, distractions, dangers and curiosities that surround us with each passing week.  That is something I have found that is instrumental to this type of work. 

 

As I have said in previous posts, Gestapo tends to forge ahead when encountering new places.  Our first visit was to New Hope, Pennsylvania.  We found a suitable parking area and unloaded as we usually do in a safe, controlled manner.  Today was a truly glorious day of sunshine and breezes which made it quite easy to have this type of outing.  After unloading, we began to walk toward the sidewalk and shop areas.  While walking through the parking lot, two ducks were eating grain by one of the parked cars.  Gestapo showed a passing interest in the ducks but continued on past them without fanfare.  

 

For those of you that are not familiar with New Hope the sidewalks are very narrow and in places it isn't possible to walk more than two abreast.  When we got to the sidewalk, we walked for a short time past a waterfall area and to a street intersection.  At the intersection, I gave Gestapo a sit command until I determined that it was safe to cross.  At the same time I was scanning the area for turning cars, I caught sight of a medium sized dog inside one of the shops peering out intently at us.  Gestapo was unaware at this time there was another dog in the area as he was focused on what he was doing.  There were no cars coming so we set about crossing the street.  About half way across the smallish intersection, the dog exited the shop and came out toward Gestapo and I.   Although Gestapo has been around our other dogs and dogs in other areas, this was his first encounter with a dog while we were working.  I was unsure of the dog's intentions and circled back toward the way we came but then decided, it would be better to move forward and past the shop since we had to go that way anyway.  My trainer called out to a girl in the shop to get her dog but she was small and did not call out to her dog, meanwhile, the shop owner heard us asking for him to collect his dog and he came out and called his dog.  Gestapo and I increased our speed to stay ahead of the dog all the while maintaining control and focus given the situation.  The dog returned to his shop and we move onward. We stopped in a shop - a dog shop - to look around and see what they had for sale.  We walked on down the street browsing the stores and enjoying the day.  By this point, it was about time for lunch.  In New Hope there are many places to eat both indoor and outdoor.  We opted for a restaurant that had outdoor seating so we could enjoy the day and Gestapo could rest on the cool bricks.  While we were eating there were many, many distractions that Gestapo would not have otherwise been exposed to in a closed training environment.  Where we sat, there was a ramp to a shop behind us. Adults and children walked up and down the ramp and Gestapo didn't really find it all that interesting. Initially, when we sat and I gave him a command for under and down so that he would go under the table and lay at my feet, he was interested in everything because this was his first trip to a restaurant.  After he realized it was no different than home however, he laid his head down and fell asleep.  There were people that passed that inquired about him and there was even a man with dogs that was walking the sidewalk that was interested in what we were doing. One thing was for sure though, most average people don't understand that when a dog is working it is important for the dog's focus to be on the person he is with.   Gestapo did a wonderful job of ignoring the distractions with some encouragement from me. We finished up, paid the bill and walked on to the sidewalk without Gestapo showing much interest in anything but walking forward with me.

 

On the way back to the car we had to pass the same shop that we encountered the dog.  And by this time there were far more people walking the sidewalk and we had to step aside upon occasion to allow other groups to pass since the sidewalks were so narrow.  When we go to the shop with the dog, we crossed the street and Gestapo didn't hesitate, he moved forward unconcerned.  There were other leashed dogs about but none within close proximity to us and although they were in the area, Gestapo didn't show an interest.  

 

All in all the outing to New Hope went very well.  We were able to enter stores to shop.  We ate at a restaurant and we had lots of distractions that really didn't throw Gestapo.  He maintained his focus and continued down the path without a problem. 

 

I was able to safely load him into the car and then we were off to Peddler's Village.

 

After a short drive we arrived at Lahaska, Pennsylvania - a lovely area with many specialty shops much like those found in New Hope.  This was to be an adventure in an of itself.  Here we found a place to park that was backed up to a grassy area where Gestapo could load and unload safely.  You will find that i repeat this often - safely - you must understand, this dog is my helper and my heart. His safety is of utmost importance to me so you will hear me repeat this over and over.  

 

He was able to get out of the vehicle, stretch and we then walked into The main shopping area of Peddler's Village.  Here the sidewalks are made of brick pavers. We walked a short distance then decided to take a few pictures so I sat on a bench.  Almost immediately after entering the shopping area, we encountered a group of older women and one of the women had a walker.  The kind that rolls and has brakes.  Gestapo has never seen a walker or a person using one.  This was a completely new experience for him.  Although he was interested, he sat at my side while I was sitting on the bench.  The women were exiting restaurant.  Because of the walker there was a bit of fuss until they were able to get the walker through the door.  Gestapo watched intently but he did not break his sit or try to investigate the walker further.  He was a silent observer.  

 

After he and I had our picture taken, we followed the same path the three woman had taken.  They were not far away and were navigating down a ramp with the walker.  Gestapo confidently walked past them giving plenty of room and walking nicely by my side.   We continued on through that area and window shopped a bit.  It was here we encountered a woman that had a poodle type dog - not a small dog but medium sized and it was on a retractable leash.  Gestapo was surprised when she walked around the corner as was I.  He did, however, stay by my side and although he gave a passing glance to the poodle kept moving at heel with little or no resistance or forging ahead.   Again, another distraction you will not find in a closed training area and he handled it well.

 

We kept walking through the shopping areas and we encountered crying children, more people with walkers,  an electrician working on a light post, a woman carrying a pole with wheels and any number of other distractions.  Gestapo moved safely and confidently through all of them.   I was very proud that he performed so well.  By the end of our day he was, as always, exhausted from all the new sights and sounds.  We gave him a small drink and settled him in the back of my car.  He rested peacefully on the way home and is now sound asleep. 

 

It is by no accident that he was able to focus.  That is something that comes from hours of work and training before we were able to be out and about.  It comes from the dog being bonded and focused on me. 

 

You will see that I write about our outings but there is much that goes on "behind the scenes".  I continue to work daily on his retrieval skills, recall, obedience and his table etiquette which is basically down and under.  All of the things we do daily is what makes it possible to go out and about and have people compliment me on what they describe as "such a well behaved, beautiful dog."    As with our children, it is quite nice for me to say how wonderful Gestapo is, but it is far better for a passerby to say that he is well behaved as they move along noticing that he is focused on his job and not the things going on around him.   Ultimately, it is all the hard work we do on a daily basis that will give him the foundation to perform as a full fledged assistance dog and every day I work toward that goal with him at my side. 

 

Keep watching for updates.  Who knows where the next outing will bring us.  I never know until we arrive.......so keep watching and please, feel free to email us to ask about our work.  It is not for the faint of heart but it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life.

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July 27th, 2008 Working On Things That Are Fun But Not New

 

As you have seen from my previous posts, I have focused on describing to you our new experiences and the exciting world that has been opened up to Gestapo and myself through our work as a team.  I haven't posted for a few weeks because we are working on things that are fun but not new. 

 

It is imperative that a service dog of any kind have good manners and have all of his obedience work finished out so that when you bring him out and about he is able to work reliably and comfortably.  In addition, it is necessary for Gestapo to learn retrieval for me since that is one of the things I have difficulty doing for myself. 

 

Since my last post, we have been reviewing all of the things we previously learned so that he has everything mastered.  He is at a point in his training that he must learn and become reliable at the retrieve.  Since Gestapo is a german shepherd, it is not in his nature to just "want" to retrieve.  He loves to play ball and will do that all day if I have the time.  He cheerfully completes each command I give him whether it be the recall, or down/stay, sit/stay. 

 

Many people don't realize that when you train a dog, everything you do with that dog teaches him "something".  It may be something you want him to learn or it may be something you would prefer he didn't learn.  So I am very careful about everything we do together.  Many of you know I have said he loves his work and he truly does.  He looks forward to whatever exercise we are going to work on at any given time.  BUT, we work on something every day - several times a day in short bursts so as not to overwhelm him or turn him off to being worked.

 

When we work at home the same rules apply.  Leash and vest are a must so he can differentiate when he is working and when he is allowed to "just be a dog".  We go through our routines and my jovial pup almost prances by my side confirming that he is excited to be working at any particular exercise.   He is aware that when the vest is on, he has a job to do.....maybe just like when a human dresses for work.  He associates his vest with the behaviors he has been taught and he knows that when we are working he must focus on me to keep me safe. 

 

So over the last several weeks we have really been working on the fundamentals of retrieving - and that includes lots of study on my part so I do not confuse the dog.  Next week we begin the real retrieval work where he actually will be required to learn what I have learned and do what is required to master the retrieve command.

 

It may seem to some that it's a lot of work to be doing all of these things in addition to working and having kids.  And truthfully it is, but Gestapo gives me something no one else can give to me.......my freedom and the confidence that I am safe when he is with me and he will be there to help me if I need help. - Which sometimes is often. 

 

I would say to anyone reading and wondering if it's something that they could do....."You can do anything you put your mind to." I never thought my life would bring me to a place where I need assistance doing things that are not even a thought for others but here I am.  And Gestapo is right here with me, giving me the courage and determination to move forward.  My goal is to be able to have him by my side to help me at work, out and about and home.  We have made great strides over the last several months but we have a long way to go.  So follow our journey and see where our road leads..........

 

Gestapo's Mac Quicktime.format Slide Show

Click On Picture - Click Back Button and Return

Please Allow a Few Seconds to Load

 

I see only sunshine and rainbows

just on the horizon as long as

Gestapo walks by my side.

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August 6, 2008 - So There We Were At An Impasse

Gestapo and I have been diligently working on the retrieve for weeks and quite honestly, we have hit a road block. He is a very intelligent dog and he is so smart sometimes, that he is able to out think me before you get to where his thoughts are just simply by watching me. Up until last week we were using treat training to encourage him to learn the retrieve. He is a dog that has a very close bond with me so keeping him attentive was never a problem - keeping him focused on the work became a problem because even his most favorite treats became boring and you could see in his face he was finished with the exercise - regardless of the amount of repetitions you had completed. If he decided he was done, he was done - treats or not. This is the stubborn side of Gestapo.

So there we were at an impasse. Even with the guidance from my trainer I could only advance Gestapo to a very early stage of retrieve which for my needs was unacceptable. I need a service dog that can go and collect things from the floor or counter or wherever I need him to collect them from and he was only reaching a very short distance to mouth the object we were working with after several weeks of training.

After much deliberation and consultation with the trainer, we collectively decided it would be best for Gestapo to follow a very different training regimen for the retrieve exercise. We modified what we were doing and lo and behold, one week, JUST ONE WEEK, later, Gestapo is at the point where he now continues to move forward in the retrieve exercise.

There may be those of you reading this asking yourself how you as a person training your own service dog would know that changing the training strategy would be the correct action to take. In my case, I know several things. First and foremost, I know I have a very intelligent dog so I know that after only a few repetitions of any given exercise, if I am performing correctly, he will be performing correctly. We had done the retrieve with the treat training method for weeks and he still would not move forward. Why, there was not enough incentive for Gestapo to want to do any more than he had to. You must be able to read your dog and his attitude towards things and how he reacts to the training you are using. If you have a dog that you have taught other tasks to that have been learned in a relatively reasonable amount of time, then you should expect the same for most of the tasks you will be training. Retrieve is a difficult task for a German Shepherd dog to learn because they are not bred to be retrievers. BUT THEY CAN BE TAUGHT TO RETRIEVE RELIABLY. That being said, after observing my dog's progress with treat training or should I say non progress - I made the decision to talk to the trainer about it. If you are training your own dog, you need to recognize the things that work and the things that do not. After all, who knows your dog better than you?

After speaking with him, I found there are many methods of training available and some were more suited to Gestapo's personality and stubbornness than others. We changed the training regimen and now we are moving forward. I am quite hopeful that within the next six or so weeks we will be finished with the retrieve and moving on to bigger things. I will tell you that without guidance from my trainer coupled with Gestapo's stubbornness created a great amount of frustration. But with the input from my trainer I found the answer that worked for my dog and it keeps us working together as a team.

I have said to everyone that this journey is not for the faint of heart. This is just one of the many hurdles we must jump for Gestapo to be accepted into the service/assistance dog world as a full fledged assistance dog. What is captioned above is a day in the lives of a assistance dog in training and his determined handler. You must believe you can do it and you don't give up. When one particular part of training isn't working properly, you need to look at it, tweek it and move you and your dog forward. To all those who would try to do this yourself - This Is NOT A DO IT YOURSELF Project. You need direction and supervision to make sure you and your dog are safe at all times from outside things and from mistakes you may make that would exacerbate an otherwise easy problem to correct.

Please keep watching for updates. Weather is getting more cooperative for outings so with cooler weather next week we hope to be able to get Gestapo out and about and do more of that type of exercise to reinforce good behavior while we are out. Remember, all the while I continue to work on the retrieve - 3 sessions a day every day regardless of what else is going on in my life. It is a huge commitment, but it can be done and when one training technique does not work, you find one that does. Gestapo is as always his happy self and he is looking forward to each and every one of the training sessions although quite truthfully, being disabled, it is a great strain to make sure he gets his required amount of training each day no matter what else is going on with work and kids etc.

But as I have said often times before, you, as the person that is disabled and in need of a service dog, can train your own dog with the help of a professional trainer. A dog that will be more closely bonded with you than any other animal you may have ever had in your household. The key is to have the determination to do what needs to be done and keep moving forward letting nothing and no one stop you from reaching that goal of having a full fledged service/assistance dog at your side just waiting to help.

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September 17, 2008 - Outing to Large Wholesale Club

Due to the hot weather Gestapo, my trainer and I have been doing work more focused on the retrieve and inside work. Today, however, was a glorious day and a great day to get Gestapo out and about for more exposure to different things. Today, we safely loaded him into my car and off we were to go to a wholesale club. This is different in many ways than many of the places we have gone before. First, it is a large store with a cement floor which is acoustically very different than say a grocery store or a furniture store or just being outside. The carts are larger, the pedestrian traffic can sometimes be more congested and there are large pallets of items that are sometimes difficult to navigate around with a cart. Since I have already applied for and received my handicapped placard, we were able to park in an area that was safe to unload Gestapo and closer to the front of the store thereby making it easier for me to exit the car and navigate the store.

As we entered the store, I collected a cart and Gestapo was heeling nicely by my left side. The greeter at the entrance to the store was quite interested in Gestapo and our training. She had originally thought that I was training Gestapo to be relinquished to another individual at some point in time. We explained to her that Gestapo was being trained to assist me and that I was his owner/handler and my trainer was guiding us towards the goal of Gestapo being fully trained as my service dog. She stated that her mother had a problem with her vision and would benefit from at the very least a cane but more so a dog for assistance. We spoke at some length regarding the benefits of having a dog to assist you when you have a disability.

I originally intended to use the store as a training venue to expose Gestapo to many new things - without actually shopping. Since I like to shop, we walked each isle front to back and of course, I found lots of things I "needed" to have. Gestapo heeled by my left side with me pushing the big cart. There were all sorts of people in the store - many commented on what a beautiful, well behaved dog he is and how nicely he was listening. We walked him through the food section and although there were many scents that interested him, he continued to walk patiently by my left side. We did encounter a child with a toy that he was throwing around - Gestapo did show a mild interest in the child and his toy; however, he did not break his heel and he continued to focus on me and his task at hand. I was able to put everything into the cart with Gestapo at heel with no difficulties at all.

All in all we spent quite a bit of time in the store, perhaps an hour and a half. During the entire time, Gestapo was quite focused on his job and behaved as though it was just another day in the life of a service dog. Which is exactly as he should behave. In the past, he had only limited experience with heeling with me behind a cart. Regardless of this he did exactly as he was required to do, showing only passing interest in the other patrons and the scents of food when we were in that section of the store. Gestapo's performance today was clearly a reflection of the hours of work and training we do every week.

I was able to go through the check out isle, pay for my items and move toward the entrance of the store without incident. We exited the store and after Gestapo was safely loaded into my vehicle, we loaded up the car with our purchases. When we got home - my guy took a well deserved nap - and then had some playtime.

In the interim, I have been working on Gestapo and his retrieving skills. As mentioned in my previous post, what I was doing was not working. However, now, he is progressing nicely toward my goal of doing a retrieve at some distance away from me. As each week passes, he becomes more and more confident and more and more skilled at his retrieval. With the guidance of my trainer, we are working Gestapo toward being a finished service/assistance dog that I am able to bring with me wherever I may go.

You will see on future posts, now that the weather is getting cooler, that we will be going out and about more often. Although Gestapo is reliable when we are out, it is very important to continue working with him in all sorts of areas to expose him to as much as possible thereby helping to shape a very confident dog.

Thank you to those of you that are following our journey. Gestapo and I love getting mail so please feel free to email us and, please, look out for updates to our page.