May 16, 2025. Day One of training
It’s ten a.m. and we’re ready for the first day and the challenges and string of successes along the path to becoming a good team. Andrea spends the first part of the morning describing the equipment, harness styles and body styles I can choose from during our time together. It’s a bit like buying a car. Leather or Fabric body for the dog? Synthetic leash or leather leash? I liked the harp-style harness handle, the quick snap fastenings and the Unifly style harness. The equipment is in tones of blues with gray and the leather is smooth and sturdy. I will train with the leather harness first. Dog Three is black and looks great with a bright blue collar and coordinating leash.
We begin with obedience indoors. He is responsive if a bit resistant, to be expected. I’ve got to prove I’m worth it. I’ve got to mimic the other handlers and raisers in voice, body language or be close enough to it for this dog to respond correctly. It gets better as we go.
After obedience, I harness up Dog Three and Andrea snaps on the training lead to Dog Three and we are off. There is so much to feel and think through, so many little pulls, tweaks, and movements to understand. It’s a bit like exiting a topsy-turvy ride and walking off it, equilibrium trying to assert itself after the wild ride.
His turns are great. His pace and pull are good for me. he takes commands well. His gentle lips and whiskers remind me ofVerona. I think we will give one another the grace to bump around, find our center. This moment, the moment he accepts the treat from my hand is when I’ve become determined to make this work.
Later the same day, the mall is great for indoor work and we get to know one another better. He indicates the change in floor textile where the store ends and the mall area begins. He stops at the elevator. He stops or indicates the ATM, the tables at the coffee place, etc. He targets very well. To the chair, the door handle, the ramp leading into and from the mall.
Day Two
Dog Three and I learn how to walk together. I pull to the right and he is still learning how to compensate for it. This results in me veering when I don’t want us to and the trainer helps me. She observes what is happening and we begin working on solutions. One solution is using the Unifly harness because it has a single centered handle designed to eliminate exactly what I am doing. It helps with his pull and pacing as well.
Dog Three and the two cats and dog in our home are getting along as if they have known one another already.
As for me, I am exhausted, my hips hurt and I love it. I’ve missed this so much. My body hurts in places like in my quads and shoulders. This will pass.
Two routes per day is the goal. We are doing the sidewalk less route in the morning and the indoor route/walks with sidewalks in the afternoons. There are recorded lectures and follow-ups with the school’s own lead Veterinarian and the advocacy lecture. Both are coming up soon.
