Cinder goes to Cinderella

The Cinderella musical was at the high school in Beloit, and Cinder said she just had to go. (Or was it because our son plays in the pit orchestra?) Anyway, it was a fun evening.

Cinder borrowed a crown from one of the girls to pose for this picture. She stayed very quiet and calm through the whole play, even when the town crier ran through the audience to announce the ball, and the confetti shot out on the stage at the end.

Good Girl!

Rollin', rollin' rollin'

Cinder spent one last weekend with us before rolling along in the "wheel" of puppyraisers. Of course, we had to pack it full of memories. Saturday morning it was an hour of dog playtime at Dog Den. No pictures of that because the dogs move too quickly. Cinder had big fun with a male black Lab named "Moose" who is about her same age, plus all the other big dogs. We actually left a little early because she was beat--just in time to rest for the 2-hour drive to Neenah.

Arriving at the Arndt homestead, Cinder had to check out every nook and cranny of this new place and tried to get Jeff's dad to throw a toy for her. He remembered our rules for Cinder play time, and Cinder had to go pout behind the couch.

Aww, life is hard!





Then she got to spend some time at Grandma's Arndt assisted living center where everyone is always happy to see whatever 4-legged friend we have accompanying us for our visits. Cinder was excellent with her greeting of Grandma and the other gentle souls who live there.

The entertainment for the afternoon was a husband and wife singing duo complete with bass guitar and keyboard. Though the humans spent the time tapping their toes and singing along, Cinder quietly fell sound asleep at Lisa's feet. Hopefully the singers did not take that as a sign of their talent. They were actually very entertaining.

Welcome Newby

Cinder attended an OccuPaws training class on Tuesday. The puppies ranged in age from Cinder at thirteen months to our newest puppy, Gideon, at 8 weeks old. Being the oldest dog in the program and next in line for formal harness training, Cinder needs to be a good example.

Dog training is boring: SIT, DOWN STAY, LEAVE IT, repeat with corrections until she gets it right. Then repeat tomorrow in a different situation.

Cinder's obedience is progressing well. She still has a few behavioral issues: high prey drive, warning barks, and whining. She started a crash course at the park today to work on these issues before it's time to rotate to her next puppy raiser.

Gideon, the little German Shepherd, could only handle so much and then he was tired. He found a comfortable place to observe and take a siesta.

Testing

Cinder was tested on Friday night as we watched Dog Town and the Dog Whisperer. She knows that she isn't supposed to bark when she sees dogs, but she couldn't control herself - only one short bark all night though.

Saturday morning was another test at The Dog Den playtime. There was a huge group of dogs because of the fundraiser for WAAGR, so Cinder (being a service dog) was selected to move to the smaller dog area. We were a little apprehensive because on occasion she has treated a small dogs as prey. No issues today and she played really well with two Chesapeake Rescue puppies.

With Cinder being over twelve months her playtime is 9 o'clock. One big advantage of a young puppy (Neva) is that play time is an hour later than older dogs.

After her eight goal (horn) game last week, Cinder was not happy about going back to the Kohl Center for her final exam. She hesitated as we climbed the stairs to our seats. Pets from other hockey fans always makes her feel better.

Much like Pavlov's dogs, Cinder has been conditioned to the sound of the fog horn. Her flight response has been replaced by the expectation of kibble. She has been very good about lying down on the floor under our seats and now she only shifts her focus, when the horn sounds. She does look tired.



Tonight, the Badgers lit the lamp (scored) seven times and the horn seemed extraordinarily long. Cinder passed her final exam although she appeared a little dazed afterwards.

After all the stress, we finally returned home for her last chicken dinner. Her digestive system even passed the raw meat test. She looks good with a few extra pounds on her frame.

Note: Her eyes are not different colors.

Dogs in a Box

Does your dog watch television? Cinder does. She especially likes to watch the Dog Whisperer. Ever since she was a puppy the sights and sounds were mesmerizing - just like a little kid.

Cinder has a habit, a bad habit, of barking when she sees other dogs. It's not continual barking, but a short burst meant to warn or notify. So as I was surfing channels last evening, the dog show was on and Cinder warned us that another dog was in the room, actually in the box across the room. Then another one popped up and another. We received Cinder's notification as each new dog enterd our domain.

This turned into a fifteen minute training exercise. We provided Cinder with QUIET commands and subtle corrections until she would quietly watch the dogs parade around our living room.

Cinder's Ready

After enduring her first, and only heat cycle, Cinder returned to our home last week. So far her once inverted vulva has remained out (normal) and besides for some behavioral issues at the puppy coordinator's home, she continues on her journey to be a guide dog.

Being without a dog for an entire week, after Neva left, left us to ponder why we raise dogs and to appreciate their presence. The house sure was quiet without our canine trainee. We concluded that the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives

Since we only have Cinder for a couple more weeks before she gets rotated again, we jumped right back into the process. She attended her puppy playtime and a hockey game on Saturday. The Badgers played well, scoring eight goals which meant four fog horns. We were well stocked with her dog food, so she never moved when the horn sounded - just received positive reinforcement.

On Sunday, Cinder went to Mounds and faced aisle after aisle of temptation (food, toys, dogs). Next we needed to get Lisa a Valentine's day present, a new washer and dryer. Lisa was excited; Cinder not so much. She held her down stay through the sales/purchase process and was much better behaved than the other customers' children. The last stop of the day was lunch where we met a potential puppy raiser. Cinder watched eat, but the staff felt sorry for her and gave her a dog biscuit.

The washer and dryer were delivered on Monday which was a great test for calm greeting and staying in her "place" while the delivery staff was in and out. She passed this test with flying colors and also an unexpected visit in the evening from a door-to-door salesman.

We found some of Neva's raw meat in the freezer and have been supplementing Cinder's diet. She needs to add a few pounds. No digestive issues!

Table for Three?

Cinder has been busy this week. She spent an evening in the mall shopping - walk, stand, walk, sit, walk, down. She also spent one day in the office with Lisa, attending two meetings - down, quiet, down.

We went to a Thai restaurant for Lisa's birthday and I think that Cinder caused some confusion. As we entered the restaurant, the hostess asked if we needed a "Table for three?" No, the dog can stay on the floor. The staff loved her, extra waitresses stopped by the table to say hello. Although they did forget to bring me a glass of water.

Yesterday we made a unscheduled trip down to Beloit. Cinder finally went into heat and Lisa couldn't get her down to Beloit fast enough. We are not without a puppy, however as we picked up our problem puppy, Neva. She is well behaved; she just has perpetual health issues. Our now pudgy little girl brought with her a couple bottles of medicine, vitamins, herbs, two cans of pumpkin, and fifteen pounds of meat.

Twice the Fun

Another Saturday begins with play time at The Dog Den. One hour of running around, sniffing, and jumping over other dogs is plenty and generally tires a puppy out.

This morning we received an expected visitor. Banjo's family had a wrestling tournament in town and dropped him off for the day. He accompanied us to play time. Cinder has been playing with the adult group (over 12 months) and Banjo fit right in.

Cinder was very nimble today as both hunter and prey. Our two charges would seek each other out for some Labrador wrestling.Both dogs also worked on DOWN STAY when they needed a timeout.

Still going strong after hour one, we stayed for the puppy group. Halfway through the second hour they tired - standing around with tongues hanging out. Thinking they were ready for a nap, we returned home, however, they were getting a second wind, tugging and stealing toys. More activity as we walked over to view human wrestling where the puppies drew considerable attention from the human youngsters.

Only after our visitor left did Cinder settle down and relax. I would guess that Banjo slept well on his journey home.

Not Super Smart

We took Cinder to her first training class at The Dog Den. Thinking that she was a super smart dog, we debated between the advanced or intermediate, finally opting for the intermediate class. The focus of class is to "proof" or solidify the basic obedience commands: SIT, DOWN, STAY, COME, LEAVE IT. We just wanted to practice with her ultimate distraction - Other Canines.

We started giving commands as usual, facing the dog - no problem. Then we tried commands while turned away from the dog, seated in a chair, and from five yards away. It's amazing what a difference changing the routine and position make.

The class turned out to be a good fit because Cinder isn't as advanced as we thought she was. She doesn't know her verbal commands as well as we believed. Instead she is picking up on hand signals and body movement. In her desire to please, she is sometimes just guessing or running through what has "worked" in the past. She definitely need sto work on LEAVE IT also.

This will be a good learning opportunity for Cinder and her puppy raisers.

Training

Well last night we had an OccuPaws training night. I also had my own training class going on on the other side of the room. So since I was busy with my class, Maddi worked with some of the other puppy raisers. From what I could see, she was mostly good, but she kept breaking her stays. I know what I need to work on with her for the next few weeks. Along with all the other things she needs to learn to be a great guide dog.

On the other side of the fence, Marlene came back from the graduation ceremony with a few items for puppy raisers to work on. The first was the importance of getting the dog to potty on command and on any surface (grass, gravel, concrete, wood chips). She also reminded us that we need to physically touch the dog as she poops, so she is accustomed. To make the point, we all experienced picking up poop (pine cones) while blindfolded.

Still blindfolded, we called our dog, had them touch us, SIT in front, and HEEL. The important part was to teach the dog to touch when she COMEs - a blind person will not see them sitting in front of them.

We finished off the session with some basic obedience: SIT, DOWN, STAY, and recalls with plenty of canine distractions. The oldest puppy, Cinder, was a fantastic role model for STAYing while others were called.

Miss Popular

Cinder was the most popular girl at The Dog Den playtime. Being unspayed and almost one year old, a few of the male dogs would not leave her alone. One young Pit Bull was relentless for the last thirty minutes of playtime. Cinder scurried away as fast as she could, literally jumping over other dogs to avoid his advances. No telltale symptoms, so we are not sure if she is in season yet or it is fast approaching.

Before the hockey game we practiced heeling on a walk through the neighborhood (brrr). She is a quick study and should have it mastered by the end of the month.

Saturday evening was Badger Hockey, Cinder experienced the usual meet/greets and we met a potential puppy raiser. This game was a big test which she passed. The fog horn sounded three times and she remained stationary in a DOWN, but would not eat our bribes/rewards until the horn ceased.

She seemed more surprised by the loud noise than panicked. No flight response and she wasn't trembling. I don't feel like we are torturing her anymore.

We left the hockey game after the second period, but the Badgers scored four more goals which meant free Culver's custard. So after a quick shopping trip this morning where we received the usual attention, Cinder quietly and patiently watched us eat our frozen custard from under the table. Not sure if I will ever get used to the constant stares and whispers.

Home Away from Home

Fighting off a cold/flu virus, probably picked up from one of our sick puppies, and fighting to eradicate a virus from our computer, I am struggling to get back into a normal workday routine after the holidays. Spending the last three evenings at the Kohl Center, Cinder now considers this her normal routine and the building to be her home away from home. She does enjoy going on outings.

The last two nights, she attended a hockey clinic and womens hockey game against the USA Olympic team. NO ACCIDENTS! Both events had a large contingent of young female hockey players which were ecstatic to see a puppy in the building. Cinder received plenty of loving and she reciprocated with a few kisses. We are trying to minimize her licking.

The fog horn wasn't in play for the clinic and the Badgers were scoreless in their game, so Cinder was not traumatized. We were well stocked with treats and ready to administer them if the horn was used. She found the seating area a bit cramped and disliked the PA announcements. She will surely be tested this Saturday when the mens team battles a young select team.

Cinder is settling into our daily routine. She knows that my getting dressed in the morning results in her going outside and is sure to keep an eye on me lest I forget her. We had originally labeled Cinder a nervous dog, but it may be that she is very attentive and aware. She focuses on what we will ask of her next and always eager to please.

Rink Rat?

Cinder's first exposure to hockey was met with mixed reviews.

Entering the Kohl Center, Cinder was greeted by the usual friendly staff. Thinking that she was Neva, they remarked at how much she had grown. We arrived early and walked around the vacant building to get accommodated. Initially nervous, she enjoyed the walk and meeting people. She passed the multiple tests where we passed food lying on the floor or dropped in front of her.

We decided to sit by the glass for the first period and Cinder enjoyed watching the activity, until the first check. The loud noise and shaking of the boards caused panic. She settled down and with the exception of a few more loud thuds from the puck hitting the glass, she relaxed.

Cinder has proven to be a stubborn pottier (rarely on-leash or on-command). She refused our encouragement before the game, but felt comfortable relieving herself on the floor as we walked around between periods.

Everything else went well, until the Badgers scored their first goal. The fog horn sounded and Cinder bolted for the exit. She was petrified. We calmed her down and she rested until the Badgers took the lead with the second goal. I gave her positive feedback and she remained calm under our seats - no problem.

Unfortunately, the Badgers gave up a late goal to let Yale tie the game and eventually go into a shootout. The Badgers scored on the final shot and the fog horn sounded and lasted thirty seconds, or at least it felt like that long. Cinder was in a complete panic and couldn't stop trembling.

We have already begun positive reinforcement for accepting loud noises. Cinder will spend three more nights this week at the Kohl Center. By the end of her time with us she will either be a full fledged rink rat or a complete basket case.

Energy Depletion

For the first time since May, we are living life without a young puppy in the house. Gone are the housebreaking worries and frequently scheduled potty breaks. They have been replaced by a high energy eleven month old puppy's desire for constant play.

Cinder will fetch a toy, drop it at your feet, and then wait patiently for you to throw it. As she waits, her gaze screams "pleeezzz". It's impossible to resist. On numerous occassions I have found myself telling her enough, only to find myself mindlessly tossing the toy five minutes later.

After enduring the initial 48 hours of her nervous energy, we dedicated ourselves to tire her out. This included a midnight walk on New Years's Eve followed by a sunrise walk New Year's morning. These only took the edge off. The full antidote turned out to be a chili dinner at Buddy, Kane, and Sable's house. The four dogs tugged and chased for three hours and then we went sledding where the dogs raced up and down the hill for another hour.

We warmed up with some hot chocolate and cider while the dogs half heartedly played. Eventually, all four rested, three on the sofa and Cinder in the corner. After returning home, Cinder followed me around the house for a little while and then retreated to her crate for more rest. Her energy depleted. she required recharging.

This morning we dragged ourselves out of bed. Suffering from aching bones and cold symptoms, acquired from sledding yesterday, we made it to The Dog Den for playtime. With below zero temperatures, it was the best spot to get a full hour of exercise. As you can see there was a constant flurry of activity with two dozen canines exorcising their cabin fever. Although surrounded by Goldens, Cinder has a definite affinity for Boxers.

She's Back!

We got a surprise when we got home from a nightly walk with Deegan and Neva; a message from the puppy coordinator that the rotation of dogs that was scheduled to happen Jan 4, was going to happen last night instead. We had to quickly assemble Neva and Deegan's things together and say good-bye.

Deegan gave us a run for our money the first couple days, as ALL the dogs have done to all of us in the past. We waited him out, practiced his obedience and got him lots of exercise, including some free range play on the fenced in high school football field and he learned real quickly who was in charge (hint: not him!). He helped get Neva walking without us having to coax her. Neva was hard to let go, she is such a sweet, soft hearted little love, but she will learn much with Ernie and Jan and then the Kahls.

Deegan is now with Mark and Barb for a while until his evaluation for advanced training possibly in sunny CA, and Neva moved on to Ernie and Jan's house, Banjo will go to Michelle's again,and we got our smart little angel, Cinder, back!

Hard to believe Cinder used to be small enough to sleep in the bathtub (you would have to go back to the archived blogs, April 2009, to find out what that was all about).

The past 24 hours she has barely stopped moving, but she is as obedient and as eager to please as she always was. She's constantly bringing us a toy and dropping it at our feet, and if we don't pick it up, she drops it on our lap. She definitely is as smart as ever. We are refusing to throw toys for her because her prey drive is WAY too high and we're hoping we can bring that down if possible. If we do throw a toy, we make her sit and wait until we tell her she can go get it. She brings it back with her tail wagging like crazy, so I guess she doesn't mind that game.

I cannot tell you how moving it is to have been in the "wheel" long enough to get a dog back after 6 months. Dogs get bigger and learn new things but when you sit and look in their eyes, you see that same cute little puppy who knew nothing at 4 months old and was big enough to cuddle in your lap. It is pretty amazing. Of course, Cinder has no memory of us as best we can tell, but she is settling right in, taking over toys (she has to touch every one of them of course!) and beds and crates.
She has found her courage somewhere in 6 months and we still think she is the smartest dog we've ever had... More good news (again going back to the old blogs) as she was playing last night, Marlene noticed that her "innie" has now become an "outie!" The good news is that may mean it clears her to live a normal, UTI-free life as a guide dog, the bad news is her stay with us may be short because she may be finally coming into season and may have to go to Marlene's as she kindly takes care of all the "girls in heat".

For now though, we're enjoying having Cinder back in our home.

Happy New Year everyone!

Posing for pics

Every year, the boys (the 2-legged ones) pose with our animals for our annual Christmas photo. This year was no exception, just with some different animals. We no longer have our boxer, but do have Cinder, so she and Carmen and Logan and Austin made the trek to the trails to get some pictures in the snow covered bushes. This sounds like a great plan, except with a Lab and a German Shepherd, by the time we got them close to the bushes and seated, most of the snow was knocked of the branches and we had to try for another location! We did get some nice ones as you can see by this representation.

After having to behave and sit for the gazillion pictures, Cinder and Carmen along with the boys got to run off a little energy and play in the snow. Cinder loves it, she tunnels under and comes up with a snout full, flipping it into the air. Some days I look outside and wonder if someone replaced my black lab with a dalmation!!

When we got back home, we spent some time working on the fort at the end of the driveway. Cinder didn't help with the digging, but she did get a kick out of going into the tunnel at the side and poking her head up through the top whole. Unfortunately, she was too fast for me to get a good pic of it and any time we tried to call her name to get her to stay there, she'd duck down and come running out the side tunnel to us. I guess it is a good thing she has a good recall, but not when you are trying to get her attention for a picture!

Concert Time

Monday night was the school concert for one of our puppy raisers daughters. The high school bands did a great job with their music selections. Here are the four puppies that attended the concert. We had Daisy May, Maddi, Cinder & Banjo in attendance. Once everyone settled down, all the puppies just slept through the concert.

Cinder Goes To Work

Well, Cinder has "officially started" work. She has been before for visits, but she was there today for part of the day. It also happened to be a day when there was an admin team meeting, so she got to meet some of the principals and all kinds of people. This picture is of her in my desk area. She waited patiently while being introduced to our office coworkers.

And here she is with some of the Business Services Department staff. Thanks Donna and Denise!

And this is her "workspace", also called the place where she snores while I work! All in all, she did great! We used today as her meet-n-greet day and she got to go around to all the departments to say hi to everyone. I have a VERY dog-friendly work environment. They have all been asking when they would meet the newest one. She was very confident going into each office and sat politely for all her attention. She was mildly curious about a space heater one person had going and had no problem visiting the woodwork shop with all the tools - she even tried to chew on some wood chips, but we caught onto her real quick on that one. With a few kisses to all her peeps and a swish of her tail, she settled in around 9:30 to complete her day's work. I took her home on lunch - about 1:30. Next week she'll be there for the full day a few times and this will continue until she moves in with Jeff and Lisa.

Mocha Moments

Today we were at Mocha Moments Coffee Shop in Janesville. There were 5 puppies there for a fundraiser for OccuPaws. Mocha Moments was nice enough to open on a Sunday for a benefit day. Divit, Banjo, Cinder, Sonny & Maddi were there. We would like to thank the owners of Mocha Moments for all of their help with the fund raiser. I think their kids had a great time playing with the puppies.


More Photos

Bowling

After the dog fair, we headed over to Bader Bowl to watch my niece bowl for UW-Whitewater. As you can tell, I don't think Cinder was real impressed with the bowling part of it, or maybe she was just tired from the fair. Either way, this was pretty much her pose the entire time we were there (about 3 hours). She did perk up afterwards when members of the team came to see her. They all thought she was soooo cute! Well of course!