Assuming that there are no extenuating circumstances, you will have most or all of your training checklist complete by the last Thursday of class. Thursday is about polishing and overflow.
In this class everything has gone well. We have lost a minimum of time due to client illness or injury (yes, both chronic and acute problems should be expected). In addition, we had no dog changes. A mid-class dog change is uncommon, but can happen. This doesn’t mean that you should lessen bonding with the initially assigned dog. In fact, you can prevent some reasons for dog changes simply by quickly developing a relationship. In my four class sessions, I have had one mid-class dog change.
You should now be thinking about graduation, and what the first few days at home will be like. You might pre-order a bag of food to be delivered before or shortly after you arrive. Ask housemates to start dog-proofing. How will you introduce your new dog to friends and family? In many ways, you can equate this homecoming to leaving the hospital with a newborn baby. Plan it appropriately.
Puppy Raisers
My favorite part of the last few days of class is the introduction to the puppy raiser(s). GDB uses a large community of volunteers to start the training and socializing of puppies. Without these amazingly giving people formal guide training would not be possible. In most cases, this is the first opportunity you will have to learn about your dog outside of their formal guide training experience.
You will receive the formal recall report from the puppy raiser(s). This will give some basic information about your dog’s experience in the raiser home. In addition, most puppy raisers provide a “Fun Things About My Puppy” form that gives more detailed or entertaining information about the dog’s early life. (Note: If you are a reading this as a puppy raiser, please know that the FTAMP report is greatly appreciated in class. You filling it out makes for some good entertainment and an otherwise impossible glimpse into the dog’s personality.)
Understand, however, that the puppy reports do not necessarily reflect your dog’s current behaviors. Dogs in the first two years of life mature rapidly. Behaviors they showed in the raiser home may now be gone.
You will also learn a bit about the puppy raiser. Where do they live? Did they have or encounter children or other animals? These can all be helpful in understanding how your dog may fit into its new life. Most importantly, however, you will learn if your puppy raiser(s) will be attending graduation. Raisers will often travel unexpectedly long distances just to spend a few short hours with their successful puppy. This is often the last time that they will see the dog. Remember this over the next few days.
Early in class you are asked if GDB can release your contact information to the primary raiser. I highly recommend this, as raisers usually have entertaining or heart-warming stories, and can be an invaluable source of behavioral information. It is in these last few days of class that you can expect a phone call from most raisers, even if they will not be attending graduation. Take the opportunity to ask questions, listen to stories, and generally get a feel for the kind of people that had such an impact on the formative time in your dog’s life.
Several years ago, my wife and I raised a puppy for GDB. I was given a fantastic glimpse into the other end of the training experience. I learned how the dogs grow and develop, but best of all I learned just how much work goes into that first year of the dog’s life. I also learned how difficult it can be to watch a dog go back to school, and how tense one can feel with every new puppy progress report. These raisers poured their heart and soul into your dog. You’ve seen the benefits of their work with every success over the past two weeks. Remember to thank them.
The Vet
Not surprisingly, GDB has veterinarians on staff. You will meet with a vet late in class. You will learn about your dog’s medical history, and will receive a final checkup. The output of this is a packet of information that you should take to your home vet, and a health certificate. If you are travelling to a home outside the United States, your dog may receive additional inoculations at this time. Listen well to the vet talk, as they provide invaluable advice on how to keep your dog in top condition so as to provide years of service.
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