Yay! You made it! Not that there was any doubt you would. Your li'l man sounds so much like a BC version of Mitzi. I love reading your fun posts. Exhausting as that early training is, sometimes it's = just too much fun to be legal. Oh, but seeing the first signs of the payoff is sweet. /smile/ I still find myself going along with my happy, alert, smart as a whip guide wondering what could possibly be better. Until the next day when it is better. Oh, that positive training. Just give the critters the right = idea and let them know they're doing well, and all you have to do is keep up while they figure our what they need to do on their own. /grin/ Such fun! Congratulations! Tami Smith-Kinney -----Original Message----- From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karyn and Thane Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 1:16 PM To: Vi-clicker Subject: (VICT) Awesome! Thane has just blossomed into the most amazing guide dog. I am not = really=20 sure when the big transofrmation occurred- you know that moment when = they=20 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=20 less boring path LOL The more he has to navigate obstacles and people, the better in his = book.=20 Children are even better. I think when life is calm in stores he does = get a=20 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=20 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=20 appropriate course to get to our destination amongst everyone who just = has=20 to stop and chat. This works awesome when we are shopping at a busy time = of=20 day and right before the 4th of July! He has recently learned *follow* = and=20 as a herding dog this is just the cats pajamas! I still need work on feeling abrupt halting he has to make because well=20 people are just people ya know. What is just so cool is to watch thane miraculously change character as = the=20 harness is put on him or removed. Its so dramatic. I don't remember the=20 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.=20 He is showing the world how awesome I have known he was from the night = when=20 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=20