Wowsers was I beat today. Training is tough; I spent most of the day snuggled with London and my iPad. I even took a nap on mommy at the end of the day.
Today we learned about how London is trained to detect and alert to seizures. I haven’t been having seizures very frequently, so a really nice family sent “seizure shirts” to 4 Paws for me. They can train the dogs on seizure scent from anyone not just me! A seizure shirt is basically just the clothing that someone was wearing when they had a seizure. 4 Paws then uses those shirts to get the dogs used to the scent that a person gives off when the have a seizure. Dogs sense of smell is something like 25X stronger than ours. London should bark when she senses an increase in the scent in me. At least that is what we pray for. Dogs are capable of alerting up to 24 hours in advance of a seizure!
Today we worked on distractions. Remember how I said that London is trained to hold a sit or down until told a new command? Today, the trainer brought his big German Shepherd to class. Brody laid in the middle of the room in a down all day, except for breaks and lunch. We had London “down” and mommy and daddy walked around her clapping and whistling and stepping over her. She did a great job holding her position. We also practiced giving commands when not standing right in front of London. She is trained to react to a command given at a normal talking volume even when mommy and daddy are out of sight or with hand signals.
Today’s new commands included learning to walk with London in the “Heal” command. This means that she walks right next to her handler, keeping pace, with her ear even with the handler’s legs, even when they make turns. She did a great job. All of the dogs still need some correction because they are still learning that they need to follow commands even if it’s not their trainer. The other new command we worked on is kind of a trick too. London barks on command when you say “Bark!” This is important so that we can teach her appropriate/desired times to bark and tell her “No” when it is not appropriate. Lastly we learned “Place.” London has a mat that is her place. When we point and give the command “Place,” London goes to the mat and lays down. Then until told a new command, she can do whatever she wants as long as at least 2 paws stay on the mat. She can lay, sit, stand, stretch, chew a bone, play with a toy, she just needs to stay on the mat. This is much more relaxed than the “Down” command, where she is only allowed to lay down and may not move around.
Then tonight, I GOT TO BRING LONDON BACK TO MY ROOM!!! From now on, I will take London back to the hotel every night. We can’t go out in public until this weekend, but she is sleeping in my bed tonight, and I love it!!! Now mommy and daddy have to work with her at night to practice commands and practice working with London off her leash. She is already doing a great job. When you look at today’s pictures you’ll see a picture of my dinner. London was “Down” right next to my food and didn’t touch it!
Goodnight, I’m going to bed with my London!