Fall 2021/Winter 2022 Pupdate

Read the latest on our pups' journeys!

Friend,

As a monthly supporter of our program, you’re receiving this inside look at the journeys of four of our newest future guide dogs: Jamie, Calah, Graham, and Scout! Previous Pupdates can be found at this link.

Winter Frolics

Puppy playtime in the snow! Pictured above, clockwise from top left: Calah, Jamie, Graham and Scout.

Now a year old, Jamie, Calah, Graham, and Scout are still living with their Puppy Raisers - but not for much longer! At this stage in their training, they are continuing to explore new environments, polishing their obedience cues, and learning to ignore distractions in busy, crowded areas. The expectations for their behaviour in public are also set higher, and they are presented with more challenges to see how they handle the pressure.

These fundamentals will help prepare our four pups for their move to the Canine Campus for advanced training in early 2022! Read on to learn how Scout, Jamie, Calah, and Graham are progressing.

Training Update

Name: Scout
Began training: March 2021
Sex: Female
Breed: Golden retriever

Scout is an outgoing, friendly girl with an eternal puppy energy. She strives to please and is a very quick learner. She responds quickly to obedience cues, especially when in her vest, and she has a great even temperament with other dogs.

Scout’s doing very well with her loose leash walking and focus, but all the unfamiliar autumn smells and blowing leaves have brought new challenges! To keep Scout on task, her Puppy Raiser has been working on the “leave it” cue, which helps bring Scout’s attention off the distraction and back to walking.

She has made great progress with calm greetings and does a very good job of ignoring those “what a cute puppy” remarks from strangers. No matter how cute a working dog may be, it’s important to remember that even a simple remark, or adoring stare, can be a distraction for them.

Name: Jamie
Began training: March 2021
Sex: Male
Breed: Golden retriever 

Jamie’s personality is fun, playful, and pleasing. On walks, he’s energetic and loves a very fast pace. When you think you’re walking fast, he’ll try and go even faster!

He loves people and dogs equally and has a hard time deciding who to say hello to first. His good looks, paired with his social butterfly nature, make it tough for him to ignore all the “oohs and ahhs,” he receives, though he has made great progress in recent weeks.

With obedience cues, Jamie can be a bit slow to respond. He knows what’s being asked of him, but he takes time to decide if it’s worth it. He’s also figured out that if he pretends that he’s not sure what to do, he can get some extra kibble treats out of his Puppy Raiser. A sneaky and clever boy!

Jamie’s now working on staying in a ‘down’ position. The ability to settle is really important for a guide dog. When out with their handler, they’ll be expected to stay in a down position and wait during work hours, while dining out, at movie theatres, etc. As much as guide dogs are out and about with their handler, they also have a lot of ‘down’ time too.

Name: Calah
Began training: February 2021
Sex: Female
Breed: Labrador retriever

Calah is a quick study who enjoys learning new skills. She’s good natured and very intense. Calah enjoys meeting new people and is very playful with other dogs. She’s very speedy and loves a good game of chase. Whether she’s training or playing with her toys, Calah is always alert and aware of her environment.

Walking at a steady pace is a challenge for Calah. When first learning loose leash walking, she was so focused on her Puppy Raiser that she wasn’t looking where she was going and wasn’t taking a leading position. Now, after having worked on getting her to take the lead again, she pulls a lot. It’s a work in progress!

Calah is very quick to respond to obedience cues and is always guessing what you want her to do next. She’s showing great promise and will excel as a working dog if she can learn to channel her intensity.

Pulling aside, Calah has made great improvements in dealing with distractions and can maintain her focus quite well in the presence of other dogs and people. One of Calah’s greatest strengths is her recall. When her Puppy Raiser says, “Calah, come!” she runs right to him, even in the middle of playing with her best friends. This is an incredibly important skill for a guide dog to have since the handler will be able to trust that their dog will come to them when off leash, regardless of distractions.

Name: Graham
Began training: February 2021
Sex: Male
Breed: Labrador retriever 

Graham’s Puppy Raiser describes him as intense, energetic, and focused. He has a fantastic work ethic and walks well on a loose leash. Graham is focused when working, but he’s still learning to overcome distractions from other dogs and scents.

Sometimes he barks at dogs he doesn’t know, but this is improving as he’s exposed to more dogs. Graham responds well to obedience cues and is eager to please. His Puppy Raiser has been working on maintaining the ‘wait’ command, particularly when moving away or around him.

Graham loves people and can be very affectionate, but he’s often more interested in retrieving a toy for you to play with him! He interacts well with other dogs of all ages and especially appreciates a playmate who will chase him around his backyard. He loves to jump off the dock at his Puppy Raiser’s cottage to retrieve his Kong toy. In fact, if no one throws the Kong into the water for him, Graham will throw it in himself and jump in after it!

Thank you for helping future and current guide dogs across Canada, including Calah, Graham, Scout, and Jamie! Your monthly gift supports our pups through training and through their working lives, until their retirement around age 10. Everyone at CNIB Guide Dogs joins me in thanking you for your loyalty and continued support.

Warmly,

P.S. Looking for previous Pupdates? You can read them at this link!