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

Mon Oct 27 13:34:37 UTC 2014

I don't know if Meghan worked specifically with a fire alarm situation.  I 
don't remember reading it in the reports.  I know she did take Jetta to a 
fire station in the puppy portion of training.  They probably had sirens 
going at some point during the visit.

Julie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Marsha Drenth via nagdu
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 8:12 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
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> 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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