Here is a link to the Dogs with Wings blog where you can see pictures and read a little bit about the rest of the E-Litter. Ebony has four big brothers, 2 yellow and 2 black. Click here.
This morning we had some of the puppies at Meadowlark Mall for a training class. We picked this mall because it is very quiet and there are lots of customers with wheelchairs, walkers and canes.....perfect for training our puppies to be around new and strange objects and not be afraid. Unfortunately Mall Management came and told us that we can never come back there and train again. They claimed that some of their tenants called and complained. We tried to talk with them and explain that this type of training is critical for our dogs. This is exactly the type of environment they are going to have to work in when they graduate and get placed with a client. They didn't seem to care. I don't think I want to do business with anyone who discriminates against people with disabilities. I hope you feel the same. Contact Mall management and let them know how you feel. I think that if they had taken the time to explain to their tenants that these dogs were NOT pets and that they were training to be future guide and service dogs, I am sure that they would have understood. In fact, one of our puppy raisers regularly visits her Dr.'s office in this mall and they have always welcomed them both. They were shocked by how we were treated.
In the very near future, Alberta will have a law that will prohibit businesses, like Meadlowlark Mall, from denying assistance dogs access to their premises. It is sad that we have to use legislation to get people and businesses to act responsibly and compassionately towards people with disabilities when common sense should prevail.
We all need to stand up strong with a loud voice. Call them and let them know how you feel. (780) 489-7748
When we are in the hot tub the dogs like to come and visit. I use this time to train the skill 'raise'. Labs and Goldens are so food oriented (ok....lets be honest...they are big oinks when it comes to food) that I never want to train them to raise up on a kitchen counter or they may think that counter surfing is ok. Here is Ebony learning to raise up on the edge of the hot tub. Her Dad Wally and playmate Tango are assisting in the training session.
Every time Ebony gets together with her big sister Charly my heart just melts. They are so darn cute together. They can play gently for hours. Here is a short video of Ebony sprawled across Charly's belly while Charly patiently holds a bone in her mouth for Ebony to chew on. I know it is hard to tell which body part belongs to which dog but the video was so cute that I thought I would post it anyway. I've extracted a still image to help you figure out how each dog is oriented...it may help you to appreciate the video.
Tomorrow Ebony will be 3 months old. I am still so amazed at how quickly she is learning. Compared to the previous 4 puppies I have fostered, Ebony is far more advanced at this age. She not only knows more skills but she has a much more thorough understanding of each skill. I don't think she is any smarter than my other foster 'kids'....in fact she scored the lowest or second lowest in her litter. The big difference has been the clicker. It teaches them to think, to experiment and it really motivates them. I also think another reason she is doing so well is that we started using a clicker right from the moment I got her at 7 weeks old. In their first few months, puppies are like sponges and they learn things very quickly. As they get older it seems to take longer to teach each new skill. Here she is showing some of the skills she has perfected as well as some that we are currently shaping.
Thursday night 4 of the 5 puppies from the E-Litter were reunited for the first time since they started leaving home at 7 weeks old. It has been 6 weeks since they have seen each other but you would never know. The poor little black puppy on the bottom of the pile is Ebony.
