Thursday 5 November 2009

Snap

We're a pair, we're a match! I thought I might as well jump to the point. When Calvin came on Tuesday he did a good job of trying to put me off initially, but his plan didn't work.

The trainer forgot to bring the shorter handle, which meant I had to walk with the regular harness on Tuesday. Calvin didn't try to chase anything, but was determined to go to the park and instead of crossing the side roads, he attempted to cut across the main road to get there. Dogs will be dogs I guess.

When he was left with me he was running around like a complete nutter. Instead of lying on his blanket he chose to run around with it in his mouth. He chewed through the rubber rings I bought him within minutes and chomped on the biggest bone ever constantly managing to gnaw one end off, so that went in the bin too. When my friend left he ran out the front door with her and did a busy on the front garden. Yet he wouldn't go when I took him.

After he had his dinner at 7pm he seemed to have wore himself out thank god. He finally did a busy at 10.30pm and I felt like I had won the lottery.

He was fine throughout the night, actually lay on his blanket and didn't get up to follow anyone around or wake me up either. In the morning he was spending fine, but a bit of a nut case again with the whole running around with the blanket in his mouth.

We went on a walk with the shorter handle and I was surprised at the difference in feedback. Calvin clocked the park yet again, but I started to correct him without prompts. You don't mess with me! I do need to learn you can't just be stern with the dog though and he needs praise too.

It was agreed that Calvin and I were working well together and training is either 16th or 23rd November. I'll spend one week in a hotel and the rest is home training, which suits me fine.

Although in my eyes Calvin is very boisterous and a big dog so not a perfect match, I feel and hope he will be a great guide and give me the freedom I've been craving for so long.

5 comments:

Jen said...

Yay! one of the longest guide dog waits in history is now over for you!
I bet this time next year he'll be a big gentle giant and you won't know what you did without him.
It will be good to read how training goes. If you've any questions you think I could help you with (I have a big mut too!) just email me.
I'm really happy for you.
Jen x

Lena Welch said...

Really happy for you Selina, finally your wait is over and again this time next year you will say what would i have done without him x take care and my blog is all about training so far so go ahead and hope you like it i had 2 weeks in the hilton hotel in northampton luxury x Good Luck

Terri said...

Hi Jenny, your comment made me smile, as Uma is 31kg (meant to be 32) wouldnt class her as a big dog and i'm only 4 and a half inches taller than yourself. Its average size for a doggie.

Terri said...

Hi Jenny, your comment made me smile, as Uma is 31kg (meant to be 32) wouldnt class her as a big dog and i'm only 4 and a half inches taller than yourself. Its average size for a doggie.

Selina Litt said...

Cheers. I know the wait is over, i'll need to find something new to moan about!