Poppy's Doing it!

Dear Family,

Hi everyone!  I just wanted to give you an update from Guide Dog College.  I am still learning new things and we are going to more challenging and exciting places almost every day. 

We recently rode the Metro train and worked around downtown Pasadena.  There was a lot to look out for but it was fun. 

Some of my friends have decided to go home but I’ve decided to stay and learn even more. 

Hope you are all doing well!

Paws to you,

Poppy

Dear Poppy

Poppy right in the middle of the fray, as usual!

Dear Family,

Hi all!  My trainers tell me that I’ve completed my first set of tests wearing my harness.  I helped guide my trainer while they were wearing a blindfold and it was fun!

I know I still have a lot to learn and soon we will be taught how to guide on stairs, elevators and even escalators!

We have fun when we are not working too.  The kennel staff gives us toys and we get to run around in a big group.  It’s a blast!   

Take care.

Wiggles and wags,

Poppy

We Got A Letter From POPPY!

Dear Family,

It’s me again from Guide Dog College.  I’ve learned right and left turns and how to cross the street safely.  Soon we will start walking is busier areas with more to watch out for.

It’s not all hard work though.  I get to play with my friends and chew on my favorite bones.

I hope you are doing well!

Wags & licks,
Poppy

A Postcard From Poppy

Dear Family,

How are you all doing?  I’m great!  I am learning how to walk with a special black & white harness on and boy do I look good! Next we will be learning how to make right and left turns.  

Hope you guys are well.  Take care.

Wags and kisses,

POPPY

Poppy Goes To College

We took Poppy to Guide Dogs of America today. She happily reunited with her litter mates, met her new roommate, Nickle and said good-bye with a wag and a smile.

I'm not going to lie, I cried the whole way home. We won't see Poppy again for at least 7 months until she graduates. But the gratitude I feel about being part of something so good is overwhelming.

Each of the 26 dogs who were turned in today were lovingly raised, just like Poppy, by regular people just like us. Supported by many more people who give their time and money and hours of effort to GDA. 

Poppy blessed our family with her sweet energetic joy. She's a smart and attentive girl. I think she is going to rise to the challenge and have an amazing experience.

Poppy and Nickle in the outdoor pen they will share for the next 6 months.

Poppy, Pizmo, Penny, Piper, Paisley, Preston & Panser

Dean and I say goodbye to Poppy

Buddy and Sally were Poppy's best teachers.

Off to formal training. Go get 'em Poppy!

What Do Guide Dog Puppies Need To Learn?

Sha Newman is in the pink with her dogs Mason and Garmond, Dean Gilford and Poppy following

I don't know what we would do without Poppy's puppy class generously given by Sha Newman. 

Dean teaches poppy to stop at a curb

While other people are sleeping in on the weekends Sha Newman and her class of Guide Dog Puppy Raisers are up early and meeting with their dogs. This morning Sha called us together to meet on Sepulveda to practice stopping at curbs.

We crossed to Target to practice riding in the elevator.

Dean teaches Poppy to stay tight on the stairs

Going down stairs without pulling is an important skill. Poppy is great at this. We have stairs in our house so she knows to stay right by my side going down.

Dean Gilford  <3 and Poppy the adorable <3

"Stay." We put the dogs in a big circle and tell them to stay. Then walk all the way around the circle. If one dog breaks the stay it instantly becomes a wild romp for all the dogs.

Shopping carts can be intimidating to a puppy

Once afraid of the shopping cart, Poppy has no problem walking calmly beside it now. Sha makes sure to introduce puppies to anything that might freak them out so by the time they go in for their real Guide Dog training they are unflappable.

Dean and Poppy

Poppy loves her puppy class. 

Buddy and Poppy, so much love

Buddy has hugs waiting for Poppy when she gets home.

POPPY: 9 Month Puppy Report

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