Congratulations to you both, Karen. I am so glad he is doing what you need him to do. Continued successful and happy trails to both of you. Dianne, Hibiscus, and Primrose ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karyn and Thane" <bcpaws4me@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Vi-clicker" <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 1:15 PM Subject: (VICT) Awesome! > Thane has just blossomed into the most amazing guide dog. I am not really > sure when the big transofrmation occurred- you know that moment when they > become more help than work on your part. The moment when you realize, you > no > longer have to tell them the command at intervals or they will pick a new > less boring path LOL > The more he has to navigate obstacles and people, the better in his book. > Children are even better. I think when life is calm in stores he does get > a > bit bored but he is still a very good guide. His true joy really shines > when > he has a lot of variation and work required to meet the objective. Of > course > for a dog that loves people, perhaps crowds are just his medium. My MCS > doesn't like them but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do right! He > has > become awesome at what I call *find the way* Allowing him to find the > most > appropriate course to get to our destination amongst everyone who just has > to stop and chat. This works awesome when we are shopping at a busy time > of > day and right before the 4th of July! He has recently learned *follow* and > as a herding dog this is just the cats pajamas! > I still need work on feeling abrupt halting he has to make because well > people are just people ya know. > What is just so cool is to watch thane miraculously change character as > the > harness is put on him or removed. Its so dramatic. I don't remember the > point with Met at which I began seeing this. Though the changes are > awesome, > I sorta miss my clown when he saw people and kids. He still does this out > of > harness but its just different now. He is older, 18 months old this month. > He is showing the world how awesome I have known he was from the night > when > I reached into his crate and touched his soft fur. > He is my lil' man and well this dance is off to a great start! > > Karyn and Thane > > >