Summer Safety Tips

Reminder:  Have you been sending in the puppy's progress report?  If you have missed a couple of months, please get those in as soon as possible.  However, don't do a report and just change the date. (smile) The staff can figure that out pretty fast. 

Puppy Training Challenge:  Have some fun in the sun!   With the sprinkler on, practice commands.  The droplets that hit you and the puppy should not deter the puppy from doing commands.  Come rain, snow, sleet, a mud puddle, damp grass the puppy must learn to do commands.  No excuses!

Puppy Raising Tip:      "Summertime, and the living is easy!"

Coming from the crazy cold winter we all had, summer is a breath of fresh air.  Here are some tips and reminders to get you through these hot humid days!

• Remember Canine Companions socialization guide regarding to age of puppy and appropriate outings.  Puppies 5 months and under should not be going into business like restaurants, grocery stores, retail stops, etc.  If the four month old puppy goes to work with you, and you have to run to the grocery store, leave the puppy at home that day.  Plan your trips accordingly.
• Hot cars can kill.  Never leave any age puppy in a vehicle unattended during hot weather. 
• Hot pavement hurts.  Walk the puppy on the grass.
• County and state fairs should be avoided, especially the midway.  Attending 4H animal shows is an okay activity. 
• 4H families and those attending day long horse shows, either leave the puppy at home or make sure you have a place to take the puppy for breaks.  Remember the puppy should always be supervised and handled by the puppy raisers family only.  Please do not pass the puppy off to strangers.
• Not all Canine Companions puppies know how to swim.  In reality most of them are not natural water dogs even though they are Labradors and Goldens.  You may need to teach the puppy how to swim.
• Please do not take the puppy to community pools.
• Please do not take the puppy to the last day of community pools when they open the pool up for dogs. 
• For those that have pools, make sure you teach the puppy how to exit the pool.
• Also never leave a puppy unattended around a pool at anytime of the year.
• Canine Companion puppies should not ride in the bed of pick up trucks or convertibles.
• Practice basic water safety if you are boating with the puppy.  Remember dogs don't always make good decisions.  The handler is the voice of reason. 

Summer training ideas:

• Like the challenge practice commands while the sprinkler is on.
• Put the Canine Companion puppy in a down and play ball with your pet dog.  Teach the puppy patience and control while others are playing.
• Take a walk in your neighborhood and expose the puppy to: lawn mowers and other lawn maintenance tools, people weeding, kids playing, people on ladders.  Expose the puppy to the world.
• exposing the puppy to machinery does not mean the puppy is right up on the equipment, but in the general vicinity of the activity.
• Go to a park and observe a soccer game, kids playing on a playground.
• Climb the play ground equipment with the puppy.  Please no slides.
• Go to a skate park and watch the skaters and bikers doing tricks.
• Watch people play tennis.  Is the puppy more focused on the ball or on you?
• Have fun and stay hydrated.

Fall will quickly be upon us.  Take the wonderful weather to get outside and enjoy training and socializing the puppy.  Be safe and keep yourself and the puppy cool.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Program Manager

4th of July Tips

Reminder:  Fireworks displays are off limits for all Canine Companions puppies regardless of age.  Please leave the puppy home and crated.

Puppy Training Challenge:  Accepting of the crate is critical for a Canine Companion dog to graduate.  The crate should be used throughout the time the puppy is in your home.  As puppies become adults you can give them more freedoms, but the crate should still be utilize.  Supervision should never wain when out of the crate.

While we want the puppies to experience many things, fireworks is not one of them.  We have seen the most confident dogs become fearful and develop sound sensitivity.  Please keep the puppy home.  Keep them safe and happy in their crate while you enjoy the fireworks.

Puppy Raising Tip:  How many times can I say NO FIREWORKS!  :o)

Here are some tips to navigate the 4th of July weekend.

• Leash walk the puppy in your fenced yard, even though you may typically let them free to roam the yard.  We had a puppy raiser's pet and Canine Companions puppy scale a six foot fence and run away because of the fireworks.   The puppy raiser was caught off guard not knowing how fear can make animals and people do unintended behaviors.  Please take this weekend to practice toileting on leash.
• When crating the puppy put a blanket over the crate and turn on the TV or radio to drown out the thundering sound. 
• For those puppy raisers that camp with the puppy, and the camp ground has a fireworks display, put the puppy in the crate, in the car, with the radio on and please supervise.
• Remember that Canine Companions dogs show stress not only in active ways (bolting, quivering), but in passive ways also (sleeping).  A puppy that can sleep through a fireworks display is a stressed puppy. 
• Picnicking is a fun activity.  Remember that people set off bottle rockets that can be startling.  Be aware of your surroundings. Canine Companions puppies, regardless of time of year, should always be on leash attached to a person whenever out in public.  Move away from individuals that are setting these fireworks off.  You can always bring a crate and sit with the puppy in the car.

A sound sensitivity can quickly develop.  Please do what you can to prevent the puppy from developing a negative association with sounds. 

Please have a very safe and happy holiday celebrating our nations independence. 

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Wait list and Microchipping announcement

PUPPY WAIT LIST: 

We have so many dedicated volunteers and we are so appreciative of every one's efforts in raising a puppy for Canine Companions for Independence.  Due to small litters and some missed breedings, the number of puppies across the regions have been on the low side.  Because of this, puppy raisers that are on the waiting list are waiting anywhere up to six months.

There are many factors that play into how we place puppies: number of dogs in house, current Canine Companion puppy and turn in date, first time raisers, past puppy raisers without a puppy, and location for shipping puppies, early releases and early turn ins.  There are reasons for how puppies are placed. Please be patient and understanding.

MICROCHIPPING: 

To help ensure the safety of our dogs, we will now be microchipping puppies prior to placement with puppy raisers. A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted beneath the puppy’s skin. Implanting a microchip is quick and equivalent to giving a puppy a shot. The dog will not be able to feel the microchip once it is inserted.

Each microchip contains a unique number used to identify the dog. This number will link to Canine Companions’ contact information in an online registry that allows shelters, clinics, veterinarians and humane organizations to contact us if a dog is found.

Please note that if the puppy is shipped directly to you rather than being picked up at our office in Delaware,  you will need to have your vet scan the puppy at your first vet appointment.  This will allow you to double check that the chip is reading properly and reflects the information sent with the pup's medical records.

Puppies already in homes before June 16, 2014 will not have microchips.  Please do not microchip the puppy you are raising.

Additional Puppy Tip:  Please note there is another puppy tip in May that you might not have seen. Please go to May's link and find a tip about teaching Dress.

Teaching Dress

Reminder:    May graduation and matriculation will be Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Dublin Recreation Center in Dublin, Oh. 

Puppy raisers of May matriculating dogs: Remember medical records are due by Friday, May 9, 2014.  Also, RSVP to akittell@cci.org or suzanne@cci.org. 

Puppy Training Challenge:  With Spring taking a firm hold over the weather, take this opportunity to get outside and go for a walk.  Even if it rains, grab your umbrella and practice commands.  Over the next month work the puppy on both your left and right side. Rotate days so you can remember to practice as much on "Side" as you do on "Heel".

Example: 

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: "Side" days.  All day long the puppy is on your right side.

Tuesday, Thursday,Saturday:  "Heel" days.  All day long the puppy is on your left side.

Puppy Raising Tip:     Putting on your Sunday best!

DRESS:  tells the puppy to calmly place its head through the collar, gentle leader or cape.

Learning:   Hold the item up and hold a treat on the other side from the puppy.  The puppy should place his/her head through the object to get the treat.  Gradually wean the treat.  Have puppy on leash when initially teaching this command so they do not learn to play keep away.

Proficient:  the puppy moves its head forward through the object on command when held in front of them.

Introducing the Gentle Leader 

Reason

• to teach the puppy to associate the Gentle leader with positive things
• to teach the puppy to walk on a loose leash wearing the gentle leader
• the gentle leader is often used by graduates to gain more control over the dog

Explanation

• with the puppy in front of you, hold the gentle leader in front of his nose so that it may easily be slipped on.  Hold a treat on the other side of the gentle leader so that the puppy must move his nose into the gentle leader in order to get the treat
• as the puppy's nose moves into the gentle leader, say "Dress” and give him the treat as you praise
• remove the gentle leader and repeat the above procedure
• build for time in small increments and fasten the gentle leader at the back of the puppy's head

 Tail Waggin' Tips

• allow the puppy to move his head into the gentle leader; do not put the gentle leader on his nose for him
• say the "Dress" command as the puppy moves his nose into the GENTLE LEADER

Practice:

• practice the above and build time as the puppy becomes more successful and used to the Gentle Leader
• after two days of practice, begin fastening the Gentle Leader behind the puppy's head and then removing it; again build for time as the puppy becomes more tolerant
• after five days, begin feeding all meals with the Gentle Leader on; remove the Gentle Leader as soon as the meal is finished
• never leave a Gentle Leader or cape on a dog that is unattended 

 When finished introducing, "Dress" can look like this first video:   

Puppy moves its head through the nose loop.

Another acceptable version of "dress" looks like this video: 

Puppy holds its head still while you place the Gentle Leader over the nose, or the cape over their head.  The puppy's ears or body tenses, but once on the puppy relaxes and behaves normally.   

This final video is when you should contact Canine Companions for assistance:

This puppy needs help.  Contact the puppy program manager.

Tips for improving the "Dress" command with older puppies:

• Use treats.
• Go back to teaching like the first introduction.
• Feed the puppy while it is wearing the Gentle leader or cape.
• Play with the puppy while they are wearing this equipment.
• Have the puppy wear the Gentle Leader or the cape as much as  possible when supervised.

Tips for dealing with a puppy that runs away from the cape or Gentle Leader:

• Practice above tips
• Put the puppy on leash before you grab the cape or Gentle Leader.
• Use food rewards to build a positive association.
• Close the door to the crate before you pick up these items.
• Essentially you want to have control of the puppy before you get the equipment. 

Rubbing is a common problem.  Most dogs will rub their head on occasion.  Correct for rubbing. Some dogs puppies  rub when a command is asked.  Rubbing is a sign of resistance or avoidance.  This behavior can be perceived as the puppy not liking the Gentle Leader.  Don't fall into this trap.  If they only start rubbing when a command is given, it means they are avoiding your leadership.  Correct the puppy that rubs at the Gentle Leader or scratches at the cape.  Use treats to reward good behavior and to distract them from rubbing.   

The Gentle Leader is a required piece of equipment regardless of how well the puppy behaves on leash.  Remember the Gentle Leader is like a seat belt.  We are good drivers, but you wear the seat belt just in case. 

It is normal for some dogs to tense their body when putting on the cape or Gentle Leader.  As long as the puppy immediately goes back to acting normal, staff are less concerned.  Dogs that become stiff and refuse to move after the cape or Gentle Leader are on, are a concern.  Tensing then relaxing is fine.  Tensing with no recovery, and refusal to move, is a concern.  Please contact Canine Companions if the puppy you are raising does not adjust to the cape or Gentle Leader after following these tips.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Program Manager

Surfaces and commands

Reminder:   Tick season is upon us. Please make sure to protect the Canine Companion puppy from those nasty little creatures.  Like little bunny rabbits, ticks, fleas and other undesirable will be making their appearance as soon as the weather improves.  I know we are all thinking, Spring has got to get here at some point!

Puppy Training Challenge:   There is nothing like watching rabbits frolicking in your backyard, squirrels jumping from tree to tree, and birds singing with delight.  However, for the puppy the key word is watching.  To be more precise casually looking.  Well actually, in a perfect world not even caring that little woodland creatures exist. 

Canine Companion puppies need self control when it comes to the wonders of the world.  Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sights and sounds of this blossoming Spring.  Teach the puppy that creatures both big and small can be in their environment and left alone.  It is up to the puppy raiser to build confidence and self control to focus on their handler and maintain position. 

Puppy Raising Tips:     Here Comes Peter Cottontail Puppy!

When you are out and about with the Canine Companion puppy, it is important to expose them to different surfaces.  Like Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail, there are sticks, rocks, mud, slippery leaves, and puddles all in your way.  No matter what is in front of an assistance dog, they must not shy away or avoid a surface.  Puppy raisers help the puppy out by socializing them to various surfaces.

For example:

Uneven surfaces

Doing commands and walking over: rocks, branches, pine cones, balls, etc.

Grates, mulch and odd textured surfaces

Fun Surfaces

Gravel

Elevated surfaces

Wet surfaces



Puppy raisers build confidence.  They teach the puppy that they can walk on, over, and through anything we ask them to.  Start early exposing them to different textures and teaching commands. 

If you teach them at a young age, they can do it at an older age too.

Puppy raising is all about exposing the puppy to the world around them and helping them to understand our expectations.  Practice, teach, practice and teach some more.  As Spring time grows into Summer, then Fall, as does the puppy grow and mature.  Lets help them grow, change and blossom into a mature confident adult dog.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen
Puppy Program Manager



Canine Companions Updates

Reminders:  Accidents happen, even with the best intentions.  Remember puppies should always be supervised, especially when they are outside.  Please make sure to directly supervise the puppy.  If in some odd accident the puppy does get lost, please contact CCI immediately.  We are here to help in any way we can.

Puppy Training Challenge:   April showers brings May flowers.  The month of April brings many opportunities to train in the rain and on wet surfaces.  Believe it or not, assistance dogs still need to do commands when the weather is not desirable or if a surface is wet.  Practice ideas:

• Puppy walks through a puddle just like walking on dry land. 
• The puppy does not avoid the puddle.
• Puppy sits and downs in a puddle. (NO CAPE)
• Take a walk in the rain with an umbrella and practice commands. 
• Practice commands on wet squishy grass.

Remember these are training exercises to proof and generalize commands.  When in public the puppy must be well groomed and wearing a clean cape.

Puppy Raising Tip:   Puppy Program Updates and Recap from Workshop

1. Spay/Neuter Policy update:  CCI has changed the neuter/spay policy.  The new policy states dogs should be neutered/spayed between the ages of 8-10 months.  For those puppy raisers that already signed the contract for neutering at 6 months, please stick with that time frame.  The reason for this date change is to see how hormones impact the body structure of our dogs. Please let me know if you have any questions?
2. New Capes:  The North Central Region has updated the fabric of the puppy cape:
• We will be handing them out only as the puppy you are raising outgrows the current cape.
• If you allow the puppy to chew the new cape, the replacement cape will be the old cotton capes.
• Please do not put the capes in the dryer.  Please let them air dry.
• Please do not try to mend broken capes.  Send them back to the regional center. 
3. Release Dogs:  Please think about you and your families plan on whether or not you plan on adopting the puppy back if it were to be release.  There is nothing wrong with planning.  You are not jinxing the puppy.
• Puppy Raisers have first choice to adopt the dog back with no fee or application needed.
• Family or Friends with DIRECT contact with raising the puppy will have second choice.
• People you know but did not assist you the raising of the puppy will be considered along with CCI donors, graduate, puppy raisers, and other volunteers and CCI supporters.
•  If you can't tell us the last name of the interested party, they will not be considered a priority.
• It is CCI's responsibility to find the dog a home, not the puppy raiser. 
4. Dog Limit:   This is a reminder that the number of dogs allowed in a home is a total of  four:  three pets and the CCI puppy.
5. Wait list:  The staff is unbelievably proud of the dedication of our volunteers.  We are very excited at the number of puppy raisers wanting to raise again.  We are also getting much interest from first time raisers.  What this means, though, is bit of a wait to get a puppy.  I do give priority to past puppy raisers, but even for past raises there is now a wait.  Please be patient.
6. Overlapping:   Because of the wait, and to be fair to everyone, priority will be given to puppy raisers that are about to turn dogs in and new puppy raisers.  We will be working under the guideline of about a 3 month overlap for those that request an overlap. 
7. Overlapping continued:  First time puppy raisers that are looking to overlap, we prefer to wait until the first puppy you raised is returned.  Turn in process is emotional.  It is important for puppy raisers to understand the complete process before entering into another agreement.
8. Unapproved Toys:  Antlers are officially off the approved toy list for CCI puppies.  We know that some puppies are hard chewers.  Please talk with me about your chewing concerns.
9. Baylor Update:  The new center in Texas is in the process of starting.  In the coming year about one to two dogs will be selected to enter Team Training in Texas.  The puppy will be trained in the region, but sent to Texas for placement.  Instructors will notify puppy raisers if the dog they raised will be going to Texas. Remember, this is after the Advanced Training process.  This arrangement is temporary until the Baylor campus is up and running.  Please contact CCI if you have any questions.
10. Training Equipment:  The primary training tool a puppy raiser should use is the Gentle Leader.  CCI does use training collars and prong collars.  If a puppy raiser feels they need to use a training collar or prong collar, please contact CCI first.  It is important for me to know what equipment is being used to be better able to assist you with behaviors.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Program Manager 

Excitable greetings with Strangers

Reminder:  Saturday, March 29, 2014 is our annual puppy raiser workshop.  Remember to RSVP by March 21, 2014

Puppy Raising Challenge:  When playing with the CCI puppy, teach the puppy to bring the toy to your hand.  If they drop the toy, encourage them by says "where's your toy" "where's your toy."  Please don't say "get". "Get" is an advanced command that has a specific meaning.  No commands are needed when playing.   If the puppy continues to drop the toy, the game ends.

Puppy Raising Tip:     I'm So Excited To See You!!!!!!

Excitable greetings is an issue many puppy raisers have with the Canine Companion puppy.  When someone comes to the house, the puppy gets excited and jumps around excitedly.  Puppy Raisers must teach the puppy self control. 

Tips for working on excitable greetings when someone comes to the house:

1. Ask guests to please ignore the puppy.  Don't look at, touch, or interact with the puppy until the puppy is calm.
2. Make sure to practice sit and down with distractions to build proficiency and self control.
3. Before you open the door, put the puppy on leash and in a sit.
4. With puppies that are having a significant issue with excitability, put the puppy in the crate or behind a baby gate until everyone is in the house and settled.  Guests may still need to ignore the puppy when let out.  Greetings only happen when the puppy is calm.
5. Ask a friend or family member to help.  Set a time for them to come to the house.  Be prepared with treats, leash and Gentle Leader.
6. Puppy raisers can also teach the puppy to "bed" anytime someone comes to the door.  See the puppy manual for tips on teaching "bed".
7. For unannounced visitors adding a sign to your front door can help people understand why it is taking you a bit to get to the door.

(Internet picture, not CCI)

Controlling people is a lot harder, than controlling the puppy.  High squeaky voices will excite a puppy.  Greetings should be calm.  It's your house you can use a squirt bottle on your guests that over stimulate the puppy.

Here is a video of a puppy in the process of learning how to appropriately behave when someone comes to the house.   The end result should be not needing to be on leash. 



If you follow these suggestions, and excitability continues to be an issue, please contact Canine Companions.  With everything, raising a puppy takes time and patience.  Results may be slow, but persistence and consistency will get you far in the long run.  Practice, Practice, Practice.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Program Manager

The long awaited return.....

Note:  It has been a long time since my last blog, but my goal is to get this up and running again to assist our dedicated volunteers. Thank you for all your hard work.

Reminder:  Everyone has been great about sending in monthly progress reports.  Thank you, keep up the good work. 

Puppy Training Challenge:  Working the puppy on our right side tends to be neglected.  Remember it is important for the puppy to be proficient at all command on either your left or right side.  Practice, Practice, Practice, side.

Puppy Raising Tips:  Training Tips

• Like in the Puppy Training Challenge make sure to practice all command on both your right and your left:  Heel and Side.
• Both Heel and Side have automatic sits.  The puppy moves to your left side turns and faces forward, then sits.
• When you come to a stop, just like with automatic sits, the puppy should be facing forward.  CCI puppies when in public should always be in a controlled position  like sit or down.  Puppies should not be standing, sniffing, pulling, or soliciting out side attention.  Control the puppy by always having them in a sit.
• When walking through a doorway the puppy walks right by your side.  Please don't use commands like wait every time you go through a door.  Puppies should be respectful and never pull through a door or shy behind us.
• PUPPIES SHOULD BE ON LEASH AND ATTACHED TO A PERSON AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN PUBLIC.  Please do not drop the leash and walk away from the puppy.
• Stairs, like doorways, puppies should be controlled.  Make sure to practice walking nicely up and down steps.
• Food on the floor should be ignored by the puppy.  Food should also not be taking from a hand without permission like "okay". Like humans, we are taught to not just go into someones refrigerator and start eating their cupcakes.  Puppies should be taught that food can be in their environment and they don't have to eat it.
• As with control around food, Canine Companion puppies should learn that they don't have to be friends with every dog they meet.  Puppies should be taught self control around other animals.  Just because the animal, child or adult is in the environment does not mean the puppy has to interact.  As always self control is extremely important for an assistance dog.

Puppy Raiser do so much to help the puppies succeed.  If you are having any issues with the puppy, don't hesitate to contact Canine Companions.

Happy Training,

Suzanne Sliclen

Puppy Program Manager