Casey Close-up – photo by Lisa Thompson

We finally got news tonight that Casey is in phase 8. We haven’t seen the phase report yet but our leader used her connections to find out and will send the report along when it finally comes. Yeah Casey, way to go girl!

Phase 8 – Final Testing, Finishing and Pre-Matching

• Final Obedience Test
• Final Blindfold Test
• Final Building Test
• Final Traffic Test

NOTE: Dogs that receive passing grades are deemed “Class Ready Guides.” These dogs are fully qualified and ready to be issued to a client.

• “Finishing” Routes
• Practice with Less Experienced Handlers
• NEW! Specialized Training

All dogs are introduced to hand and chair targeting. Instructors introduce pole targeting (for crosswalk buttons) on a few different routes.

• If needed, select dogs may do custom work for identified clients (slower pace or fast pace, compromised balance — client who travels with a support cane, toed-out gait, etc.)
• Pre Class Physicals (AKA: PCPs)
• Final Class Preparations

Instructors size all dogs for new class collars, boots, head collars and harnesses. Pre-matches are done based on information gathered from home interview and pre-class phone call meeting.

• Dormitory exposure

Dogs are walked through the dormitory building in preparation for their in-residence training.

• Socialization

All specialized programs are complete for class ready dogs.
CWTs focus primarily on relaxing walks, kennel enrichment and play sessions for the dogs.

Now we just have to wait for that phone call. It should tell us she is in class. But sometimes dogs are still career changed at this late phase. The next class starts on January 16th so we could get that call as early as the 17th.

p.s. We got the phase report on Friday and Casey’s brother Crosby is in class scheduled to graduate on January 14th. Also Radison and Snickers are in phase 8 too.

Casey with gold bow around neck – photo by Lisa Thompson

Our CFR is still out so I just got the note from Lindsey today that Casey and Radison are both in phase 7! It is hard to believe that their training is almost done. I look forward each week to Thursday to find out how our sweet little girl is doing. Keep it up girl. You are almost there.

Phase 7 – Advanced Training
Obedience and Distraction Training
Continues as in phase 6. Dogs are handled by different instructors to teach them good responses are expected with new handlers.

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
Dogs now independently board, ride and exit.

Platform Training Continues
Avoidance of drop-off edges on pedestrian platforms of subway and rail systems.
Boarding and exiting trains.

Overhead Obstacle Clearance Training
Advanced overhead training occurs both on campus and in town, when available.

Socialization
Continue as in previous phases, as needed.
Leash relieving practice on cement surfaces continues. Dogs that are not comfortable do additional socialization, as needed.

Casey with reindeer antlers – photo by Lisa Thompson

Got an email from Lindsey today that Casey and Radison are both in phase 6. Our CFR is on vacation so the phase report didn’t make it through normal channels but Lindsey has her connections and I appreciate her using them to find out how the girls are doing.

Phase 6 – Urban Challenges
Obedience and Distraction Training
Continues as in phase 5.

Advanced Guidework Training
Dogs work in both residential area without sidewalks and downtown urban areas with challenging environments
Focus on working the dogs at a pace and pull that is appropriate for a client.
Instructors commonly work each others’ dogs to continue to develop and monitor consistent responses of each dog in various environments (formal, casual and during guidework).

NEW! Sidewalkless Technique Introduction
Dogs learn how to work in areas without sidewalks or reasonable shoulder on which to walk. The travel line is the left side of the street facing oncoming traffic. Dogs learn how to respond to intersecting streets and parked cars along their travel line.

NEW! Platform Edge Intro and Exposure Work
Dogs learn to avoid significant drop-offs that mimic subway and rail platform edges.

NEW! Light Rail, Subway systems
Dogs practice edge avoidance when train is absent, and boarding/riding on available trains.

Obstacle Course Progression
Continues as in phase 5.

Pre-Matches for Select Clients
Dogs are identified for applicants with special needs or requirements in a Guide Dog.

Socialization Programs
CWTs continue to focus on kennel enrichment and relaxing time away from guidework lessons (community run, grooming, play sessions, campus walks, dog massage, Reiki).

Leash relieving exposure on cement begins.

Casey with a Christmas ruffle around her neck – photo by Lisa Thompson

Today is phase report day and Casey has moved on to phase 5! So have Radison, Snickers and Crosby. They are all doing so well. I’m proud of the whole lot of them. Here is some of what they are learning in phase 5.

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

Casey in a gold Christmas bow (photo by Lisa Thompson)

After staying in phase 3 last week I was relieved to see that Casey has moved on to phase 4! Keep it up girl! Here is an outline of what Casey is learning in phase 4:
Phase 4: Intelligent Disobedience
Formal Harness Training

• Working past challenging animal and food distractions continues.
• NEW! After preliminary testing, more extensive work inside buildings begins.
• Notable Accomplishment – Traffic Conditioning (Exposure)

Body Handling Acceptance

• Continues as in Phase 3. . NEW! New handlers are added to assess the dog’s comfort and willingness with strangers.

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

• Extra socialization assignments are done with individual dogs as needed. CWTs focus on additional relaxation sessions for all dogs as training progresses. These sessions could include one or several of the following activities: community run time, kennel enrichment programs, grooming, individual play sessions, office time at staff desks, and relaxing campus walks.

Casey – photo by Lisa Thompson

We got the phase report today and Casey is in phase 1. Now Casey is really learning how to be a guide dog. In this phase they cover:

• Food Reward and Clicker Techniques
• Obedience Responses & Teaching focus around distractions
• Formal Obedience
• Food Refusal Protocol
• Socialization
• Body Handling Acceptance
• Introduction to the Harness
• Treadmill Training
• Pattern Training
• Up Curb Exercise #1
• Developing Physical Agility
• Dog Agility Walk
• Back Up Chute
• Obstacle Course

I’m so excited that Casey is getting to learn all these things. I can’t wait to see the next phase report.

Casey with a couple of her favorite ropes

We finally got the phase report for this week this morning. Casey is on it in phase 0. This is the phase were they do health screenings and kennel socialization. It probably seems pretty much the same as what she has been doing for breeder evaluations. For Casey she is probably just finishing her recovery from being spayed and is waiting to be assigned to a training string. She has probably been assigned a kennel mate by now. I wonder if she is sucking on her kennel mates ears?