Team Training, Public Access Test ~ Day 11

Day 11... Nervous energy filled the air of the Rouge Valley Mall as teams prepared for their public access test. Each team arrived at their appointed time and demonstrated just how far they've come since they arrived in Grants Pass for team training. 

The public access test is used to determine whether or not the teams are ready to be out on their own in public. Safety for the dogs and the handlers are of greatest importance. 

It takes over an hour for each team to complete testing. Some of the things that are measured are the dogs ability to ignore food on the floor (affectionately known as the "french fry test"), performing commands such as "under" & "up", staying beside the handler when the leash is dropped, staying calm when the handler is out of sight of the dog, coming when called, greeting a stranger politely, using an elevator safely, and more.

Who says that testing can't be fun???

Perhaps it's a bit easier when your the tester and not the testee. :)
 

Team Training ~ Day 10

Day 10 of team training brought more outings, giving teams the chance to put what they've learned in the classroom into practice in the "real world."

Today's lecture was on how to enter/exit an elevator safely. 

Team Training ~ Day 8 & 9

First off let me say sorry for the delay in posts. Life has been super busy and stressful the last few days and I haven't been able to get around to it. So here it goes:

Yesterday we started the day off with a lecture and then worked on retrieving. Even if the child the dog is being placed with doesn't need help picking up items, it's always a good thing to practice and helps create a stronger bond between dog and handler. Then after everyone had done their fair share of retrieving, It was time for our annual grooming demo graciously given by Cheryl Bright of Cheryl's Mobile Grooming here in Grants Pass. Thank you for all you do for CAST, not just now, but year round! With that new knowledge acquired, it was time for a mental break for both the dogs and the people.

Everyone went outside to the play yard, and while the dogs and kids were playing, the adults worked more on analyzing pack behavior. Lastly, Sandy (our head trainer), worked with each family individually, helping them work on specific things that they may need. Jose for example, worked on having his dog help him off the ground. Alex and Danielle worked on seizure alert.

Today, we started at the building with lecture on canine health care and then went out to lunch and a movie, as well as taking a tour through Gate's Furniture. It is important that service dog handlers practice real life situations while still here in training. We want them to be get used to juggling regular life and a dog at the same time, and the more we can get out and about the easier it will become. 

Winning Countdown to Graduation Raffle Ticket numbers so far are:

416
873
779
151
036
876
451
450