[nagdu] Fire alarms was Dog sneaking and getting on Counters

Mon Oct 27 13:26:43 UTC 2014

At GDB we have a fire drill during training, and they might do something
like that with the dogs, either before going to their puppy homes or after
they come back and begin formal training. I'm not sure anymore on that. 

Sherry

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marsha Drenth via
nagdu
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 7:12 AM
To: Julie J.; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: [nagdu] Fire alarms was Dog sneaking and getting on Counters

Julie,
That is great at how Jetta is progressing. Its awesome that little ms Jetta
was able to guide you during that fire alarm. My current pup has no issues
with that fire alarm, well she better not, considering she alerts me to
them. I am unable to hear them at all. I see the blinking lights but that is
all. My last pup didn't like them at all. Its a curious question, did your
trainer do anything with the fire alarms before she came to you? 

And for those who have program dogs, do the schools do anything with fire
alarms during the pups formal training? 

Very curiously, 

Marsha drenth  
email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com  
Sent with my IPhone  
Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone. As
such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate errors.
Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary. 

> On Oct 27, 2014, at 6:46 AM, "Julie J. via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> Jetta jumped up on the counters 3 or 4 times a few weeks ago.  She hadn't
done this before and I was horrified.  she did get about half a stick of
butter, but nothing else.  I did not want her to learn this was acceptable
behavior.  I cook a lot and always have various kitchen projects going on.
Keeping the counters completely cleared of all food at all times is not a
practical solution.
> 
> I'm strongly in favor of teaching a dog what is expected and letting them
exercise self control.  I want my dogs to be free in the house with light
supervision.  I don't want to be breathing down their neck every second of
every day.  It's not fun for me and I imagine it's not fun for them.  This
approach does mean a lot more work up front though.  Sometimes it's not
worth it, like if I was at someone else's house where I was only visiting
for a few hours.   In that case I'd just keep the dog on leash.  It's easier
for everyone and better company manners anyway.
> 
> So the counters...the first time she did it I was taken by surprise and
sort of stood there in shock.  That wasn't very helpful.  I put her collar
with the bells on her so I could hear if she was about to jump.  I also
asked my husband and son to help me supervise her.  When she looked like she
might be thinking about jumping up, I'd call her to me and praise her and
get her interested in something else.  If her feet left the floor I'd give a
firm "no", call her to me and get her interested in something else.  If her
front feet touched the counter I'd go get her.  she got a firm "no" plus me
tapping on the counter with another "no" and a time out in her kennel.   I
don't use the kennel for punishment, but I do think it enhances everyone's
calm and that is a very good thing.
> 
> She hasn't gone for food in weeks.  We are now to the point where food can
be out on the counters without worry of any of the dogs messing.  We can
also eat in the living room, sitting on the couch and Jetta isn't a bother.
> 
> Jetta  has been here for two months now.  I had to count that on my
fingers three times before I'd believe it!  Truly it feels like much longer.
She fits so neatly into our routine and everyday life that it feels like
she's been here for a long time.
> 
> She no longer eats my plants!  Woot!  I brought in the rest from outside
and she leaves those alone too.  I think it was a puppy curiosity thing.
> 
> She sleeps in her kennel at night, but is free in the house all day when
someone is home.  I'm not quite ready to leave her out with no one here.
Perhaps in a few more months she'll be ready.
> 
> She goes to work with me most days.  she went with me to the NFB state
convention a couple of weeks ago.  She did fairly well.  It was a lot for
her and we have things to work on...her nose, her ability to lie quietly for
long stretches and her interest in everything, but those are normal new and
young dog things.  she's showing improvement already.  She'll get it with
time and consistency.
> 
> At the hotel there was a fire emergency and we had to leave the building.
They have the newer fire alarms the ones with the flashing lights and the
blaring siren that makes your teeth ache.   Jetta worked to the nearest exit
perfectly.  she was the picture of calm, cool and collected.  I could have
cried.  All the people, all the crazy, me not being able to hear to direct
her and she still did what needed done.  Monty would have been a mess.
> 
> Her guide work is excellent.  she's not perfect, but for her only being 16
months old, me only working with her for two months and her experience,
she's remarkable.  In another year she will have far surpassed my wildest
expectations.
> 
> Julie
> 
> be 
> 
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