Banta in her trademark “relaxed” sit

Banta is doing so good. We are excited about her progress in her training. Each week when the phase report comes I almost hold my breath until I get to her name and see that indeed she has moved on the the next level. Keep it up Banta!

Phase 7 – Advanced Training
Obedience and Distraction Training
Guidework Training
Advanced training includes work in both suburban and urban areas, and requires forward-looking decision-making (initiative).
These routes can consist of:

• City traffic patterns
• Difficult crossings
• Difficult clearance situation
• Areas with a challenging line
• Animal distractions
• Surface issues
• Curb approach challenges
• Pedestrian islands
• Crowded sidewalks
• Different pedestrian climate
• Additional city bus exposure
• Additional rapid transit ride exposure
• Additional and multiple escalators
• Rounded corners

Escalator Training Continues
Platform Training Continues
Overhead Obstacle Clearance Training

Banta

This phase was an extra week in coming. I’ve wondered what she might be having trouble with. Maybe body handling or distraction issues. I’ve also heard about some dogs with kennel cough. That would slow down her training too if she were sick. But whatever the delay our Banta has finally made it to phase 6. Way to go girl!

Phase 6 – Urban Challenges

• Obedience and Distraction Training
• Advanced Guidework Training
• NEW! Sidewalkless Technique Introduction
• NEW! Platform Edge Intro and Exposure Work
• NEW! Light Rail, Subway systems
• Obstacle Course Progression
• Pre-Matches for Select Clients
• Socialization Programs
• Leash relieving exposure on cement begins.

Banta along the Jordan River Trail

The phase reports are put out on Thursdays and all week long I look forward to Thursdays. Then I anxiously check my email through the day to see if it has come in yet. Then I almost hold my breath to see if Banta has made it to the next level. This week she did it again. Another week another level.

PHASE 5 –Traffic Training & City Work

• Advanced Obedience and Distraction Training
• Advanced Guidework Training
• City Routes (San Francisco/Portland)
• Intensive Indoor Mall and Store Training
• NEW! Escalator Introductions and Training – Boarding/Riding/Exiting
• Notable Accomplishment – Formal Traffic Training
• NEW! Total Barricade Training
• Obstacle Course Progression
• Body Handling Acceptance
• Socialization Programs
• Vet Meeting – Review of Health

Banta

Our girl just keeps on moving through the phases. She is now half way thorough the phases!

Phase 4: Intelligent Disobedience

• Formal Harness Training

• NEW! After preliminary testing, more extensive work inside buildings begins.
• Notable Accomplishment – Traffic Conditioning (Exposure)

• Body Handling Acceptance
• Physical Agility Programs
• Obstacle Course Progression – Intelligent Disobedience Training Begins

• NEW! Some clearances now require a stop.
• NEW! Addressing errors is now introduced for basic clearance work.
• NEW! An overhead clearance is any obstacle that is above the dog’s head.

• Socialization

Banta with nylabones and Goughnuts

 
Banta is moving right along to phase 3! Keep it up girl!

Phase 3: Preliminary Testing

• Notable Accomplishment – Preliminary Obedience Testing
• Obedience and Distraction Training
• Notable Accomplishment – Preliminary Blindfold Testing
• Difficult Distractions
• Body Handling Acceptance
• Guidework Training
• Pattern Training
• Up Curb Exercise # 3
• Physical Agility Programs
• Obstacle Course Progression

Banta in our backyard

Banta has moved on to Phase 2! Bill is sure she is doing just fine in training but I worry more. I tend to focus on her challenges and not her strengths and that isn’t a good thing. The trainers know what they are doing and they will do everything they can to teach her to be a wonderful guide dog. Below is a list of what she is now working on and learning in phase 2.

Phase 2: In Town and Responsible Lead

• Obedience and Distraction Training
• Body Handling Acceptance
• Kennel Adjustment and Routine
• Wearing the Harness
• Pattern Training Progression
• Planned Distraction Route NEW!
• Physical Agility
• Responsible Lead Session NEW!
• Obstacle Course Progression

Banta

The phase report came out today and Banta is now is phase 1. I was afraid that she might be in phase 0 for a few weeks do to some glitch or that she would be transferred up to Oregon but she is staying in San Rafael. And she is actually starting to learn how to be a guide!
Here is a short summary of what she is learning in phase 1:

• Food Reward and Clicker Techniques
• Obedience Responses and Teaching Focus around Distractions
• Formal Obedience (sit, down, heel, stay and come)
• Food Refusal Protocol
• Socialization (introduction to the training van)
• Body Handling Acceptance
• Introduction to the Harness
• Treadmill Training
• Pattern Training (a method of introducing guidework behavior in a positive manner.)
• Up Curb Exercise #1
• Dog Agility Walk
• Back Up Chute
• Obstacle Course