Thursday, May 05, 2016

May starts grey

day at neads 4/29

As pretty much figured, the snow came and went as quick as wink... and we were back into spring mode. And, almost as quick, it's another check in day at NEADS.... Logan all loaded up and ready to hit the road. 
She is doing amazing with her work, so I quick meeting at the campus and we were heading out to tackle the big city. First stop was the train and bus station. It's noisey, busy, smelly and all those wonderful things to test a "service dog" frame of mind. Logan takes it all in stride and almost seems bored when I ask her to pose for her picture....
She's working on some of the service dog commands... things like under, threw, jump and up.... Up means to just put your front two feet up and wait until you are told to do something else. Standing like this take a bit of patience, but we're getting it.....
Sitting beside this statue seems easy enough, but I'll tell you this has done more than one service puppy in training in. Some dogs really do not like statuses that seem so human like and yet they're not. Again, Logan take the "would you just hurry with your silly camera so we can move on".. look....
The biggest test of all today was the glass elevator. Logan hasn't done too many elevators in general, because I just don't have them in my day to day life. She walked on very nicely... sat and waited. When it first moved she stood up, not too sure of what she should do about that. But I just told her to sit, and she did.... once she could see out the "window" I think she found the whole thing kind of cool. We went up and down several times, and she sat and seemed to just enjoy the view. 
After a few trips though, she decided it was just as good to take a little rest...... Annie is so happy with her work (as I am) and there is little doubt that she won't pass as a good service dog!!!
Annie's dog, Mattie came along with us. Sometimes it's nice to have a seasoned dog with you in case a puppy is worried about something. I think Logan appreciated the company of Mattie, but she certainly do not "need" her today....
And of course, any attention and good dog pats from well wishers are always appreciated... which, we do allow when the puppies have done a good job...
As we were hiking about the city, we found a section where a good deal of construction was going on. We thought this would be another good test... loud equipment, uneven surfaces for walking..... people yelling.. the noise the cars make....


but Logan... saw it as just another walk about
Working over uneven ground.... rough surfaces...


no problems....
In the parking garage we worked the stairs. Taking them at different pace... sometimes moving quickly.. sometimes slow.. sometimes stopped. She took all her clues perfectly and worked as a team member....
After a busy day, we headed towards the car... she walks perfectly, obeys each command and is just the best girl ever....
Back in the truck, it's time to head home and check off another successful visit.... I have to think that they're probably aren't too many left for her and I.. and she'll be called back for her advance training to begin..


but today.. she's is heading back to the farm, and we will enjoy the days and training time we have left....