Job Shadowing in the Training Kennel

Below is a an edited excerpt from a newsletter we received earlier in the year. I have saved it for when Bucky goes into the Training Kennels - which is where he is now.

It was written by a Puppy Services staff member that participated in a "Job Shadow". She chose the opportunity to experience what happens in the Training Kennel.

In it she explains a bit about a day in the Training Kennels.

Life of a Dog in Training

by Katherine McDonough, Development Coordinator

When I was part of a winning team at a staff meeting and we got to pick a department we would like to shadow for a morning, I picked the Training Kennel (TK).....

The dogs come to Guide Dog U and stay in the AK (Assessment Kennel) for about four weeks .  

There are four teams of trainers and each team is assigned a "string" of dogs. A string is the entire group of dogs turned in at a Guide Dog U, and is comprised of 29-34 dogs. 

After 4 weeks in the AK they move to the Training Kennel (TK). 

The "freshmen" dogs are in the runs to the left in the Training Kennel and the "seniors" are in the runs to the right of the Training Kennel. So, as new strings come into the Training Kennel, the dogs' runs are moved along.   

The dogs might be in a community (dorm) with several dogs, or with only one roommate. There are two runs and they can go back and forth between either one. 

The day starts at 6 a.m. for the TK (Training Kennel) staff with the Canine Care Technicians (CCTs) arrival; the trainers arrive at 6:30 a.m. and join in the morning cleaning. The dogs get fed and are let out. In between this process, the runs inside and out are sanitized, squeegee-dried and then towel-dried.

All dogs in the TK get a physical once a month.

If the dogs are not out being trained, they are in the kennel. All the dogs go out in the yard four times a day, which is quite a process for the kennel staff. Some dogs might go to the Administration building and visit for some days, too.

When there is dog walking available for visitors, they use numbers, like at the deli counter. When it's high season in Florida, it gets very busy and people are eager to walk a dog. A dog needs to have a green sticker by his name on the kennel door to signify he can be walked. The trainers decide when a dog is ready for this activity; they often see how the dog interacts with children and if they are interested in squirrels or easily distracted. The dogs are very excited when they are taken out of the run for a walk and are remarkably calmer and relaxed when they return. Walkers often brush the dogs after the walk and the dogs happily lay down for this treat.

  

If a dog is going home for a weekend:

Staff members from Southeastern will visit the invitee's home and ask that people, for example, remove photos off of low tables (tails can knock them over), or put trash in a place the dog cannot access it. The dog is bathed before going to the home. Basic obedience is expected to be provided while at the home, but no training. The trainers ask for information about how the dog behaved in the home. This is helpful as the dog has been away from that environment for awhile.

Kennel Enrichment:

Trainers decide which dogs will participate on certain days. Volunteers for this enrichment program must complete regular volunteer training as well as specialized training by the TK staff to work with the dogs on the puzzle or activity.

Knowing how well-liked the dogs are by staff and visitors and how happy they are in their behavior, when I hear their barking I will now think they are laughing and having a great time--like in a college dorm.