 |
| Poppy - 9 months - Guide Dog Puppy |
Poppy went to stay at
Guide Dogs of America for 5 days to be thoroughly tested and
checked by their trainers and veterinarians. They want to make sure that she is
on track and developing properly.
I was nervous.
"What if she is
too pushy and willful?" I thought.
Another puppy I know
was dropped at 9 months for being "too self-pleasing".
YOU know that we just
went through episodes of Poppy stealing food so I was afraid I would hear back
with a similar report. "Too obnoxious."
Instead they called her
shy.
SHY?!!!!
She's a happy bully
around these parts. An incessant puller on the leash. A hearty eater and
player.
But Yvette, the
trainer, said that Poppy lagged behind when they went out walking. That she was
"soft" and needed extra support. Don't get me wrong, Yvette loved
her. She said Poppy was a snuggler and a sweetheart who did really well with
her commands.
Going to Sha's class
every Sunday and working with her at home has paid off. When Yvette called her to come Poppy ran to her easily. She knows:
Sit, Stay, Lay Down, Leave It, Heal, and Come.
But on the written
report I got back, the category for STRESS was marked with the word
"High."
High stress.
That shocked me.
Since she's been back
home Poppy seems different. Humbled? Maybe. ...Traumatized? That's
dramatic, but there is an element of distress in her that I never saw before.
Somewhere in that
little blond head is a new awareness that the world is not all about hanging
out and playing with people and other doggies who love her. Commands are
something more than a way to get treats or shine in front of her puppy class.
This was Poppy's first real GDA experience with TRAINERS. Trainers who have
expectations and don't take any silliness. It was not entirely pleasant for
Poppy.
She always followed me
happily from room to room. It was one of her personality traits that made me
think she would be an excellent guide dog. She's bonded. She likes closeness.
But before, when she
followed me there was eagerness, an expectation of something good right around
the corner. If I could translate her body language it would be "Oh goody!
What's next?"
Now when she follows me
there is a touch of panic in her eyes, "Don't leave me."
The kennels at GDA are
concrete. There is no soft bed or blanket or even a snuggly toy. I think being
alone in the kennel was hard on her. The second day they gave her a roommate
but I suspect the fear had already set in. And I still see it knocking around
in there.
The closest thing I've
ever seen to discomfort in Poppy was when Sha corrected her in front of the
class and then gave her back to me. Poppy made the whole class laugh by
looking pleadingly into my eyes and trying to disappear into my leg. She
couldn't have been more clear, "Get me out of here!"
As I write this she is
sleeping beside me. She could be on the dog bed a couple of feet away but she
would rather be one inch from where I am. Or maybe the tile floor is just
cooler. I don't know.
I will keep my eye on
the situation and let you know how she progresses.
Love,
Lisa
