Flying Through

Who needs phase 4 anyway? Millie is flying through training and is already to phase 5 this week! I am sure she just wanted to get all her studying done so she could have a blast over the holidays.

Here are the things she has worked on this week:

Phase #4

• Progression of guidework training: more difficult sidewalks in busier sections of downtown areas
• Training on more complex street crossings and curbs
• Obstacle clearance initiated by the dogs; they begin to guide their mobility instructors through the campus obstacle course
• Preliminary obedience testing and evaluation of the dogs' reactions to head collars

Phase #5

• Preliminary guidework testing with the mobility instructor under blindfold
• Complete veterinary history review
• More challenging guidework training environments (pedestrian traffic, stairs, different flooring surfaces, etc.)

I am off today and plan on taking some christmas pictures of the pups, so stay tuned for a holiday update. Wishing a very happy holiday to all the pups and their people!