Team Training Class Update

[Photo from November '08]

I got the call yesterday from CCI, but Andros didn't make a preliminary match. He will not be graduating with the November Class, BUT he will be held over for the February Class. This makes him a 3rd Semester dog, which can be exciting as they sometimes use 3rd semester dogs for Demo dogs and such during the next 3 months. So I am a little disappointed, but I know that CCI will find Andros a PERFECT partner.

"Sometimes miracles take time"

-Madison & Butler

Chicken Head!

At Awana on Wednesday, we had "Farmer night" and so Butler wore an orange bandanna and even wore a chicken hat for a bit.....enjoy the photos, they are quite funny!!!

Call from Advanced Training: ANDROS

[Photo from October '08]
Well I just got my call from Gwen. She said he knows all his commands and can do them very, very well. He requires minimal cues and encouragement from his trainer. She also raved about how wonderful of a dog he is, very sweet and loving. She also said he is her most finished dog. She also talked about how when some prospective applicants came and worked dogs, they used Andros and he was a wonderful example of what an assistance dog should look like!

Now onto the not so good news.....
While he is doing great! He also anticipates commands, and is a sensitive dog, so his prospective placement is as a Skilled Companion. This part is great! I always thought he'd make a great Skilled Companion! The incoming TT class has 7 people in it, and 11 dogs will be rotating through. So 4 dogs will not be graduating in this class. There are 5 people needing SD, and only 2 people needing SC. Gwen says she does not know at all, whether Andros will be graduating this class. But she says that unless he decides to bite someone she has no doubt that he will graduate at sometime!(Prolly February) I So hopefully my boy will make a match, but I know CCI knows best, and will find him a perfect person :)

I have been told that CCI never tells you that your dog will definitely make a match, so I shall be waiting until next Tuesday, when I will be receiving another call telling me whether he has made a "Pre-match". So until then, everyone cross your finger and your paws for Mr. Andros.

Bee is 8 Months!!!!

Another month day has come and gone. Butler is now 8 months old! Wow! Such an old boy! He is getting so big, and with every passing day I am loving him more and more. He's gonna be a hard one to give up...that's for sure :)

I shall be posting an update on Andros tomorrow! I get a call from his trainer tomorrow! YIPPEE!!!! :)

~Madison & Butler

Sen10r

Yes, I, Madison am a senior this year!!! So as is the tradition I had some senior pictures taken! Since puppy raising is my life, I HAD to include Bee-man in my pictures!!! So here are some, tell me which ones you guys like!

[Photo 1]

[Photo 2]

[Photo 3]

[Photo 4]

[Photo 6]

[Photo 7]

[Photo 8]

[Photo 9]



[A Silly one!!!]

What's the relevance of today you might ask......

and I shall answer that for you. Today's date in October 14, 2009. That means that in 1 MONTH if Andros II makes a match he will be graduating!!!!!!!! YIPPEE!! I'm so thrilled, so to celebrate this momentous occasion I am going to give ya some cutie pictures of Andi man and explain to you what shall be happening with CCI and *hopefully* Andros in the next month!

In 2 weeks, on the 28th. I am going to get a call from Gwen, Andros's trainer. She is going to discuss his potential in the upcoming Team Training Class. So for the next two weeks Andi is gonna be working on his skills so hopefully he can be placed! Then on November 2nd, the team training class comes in. They will begin working with the dogs, and I think on the 3rd or 4th is when you know if your dog has made a match. So Gwen will give me a call and let me know that! If he does make a match him and his partner will spend the next two weeks working and learning how to be a team with CCI's instruction. If all is a "GO" My family and I shall be coming to Delaware, OH on the 13th. On the 14th is the ceremony, where I get to ceremonially "hand over" Andros's leash!!! Also that morning I get to have breakfast with his grad and get some "andi and I" time!!! I'm so excited, but I always have to keep in the back of my head......that it's not for sure yet.......

~Madison & Butler

[Photos from Last Fall]

Fall has fallen.....

Well in my neck of the woods fall has most definitely fallen! The leaves are starting to change colors and the colder air has come our way. I have been enjoying it though, with walks and picture taking, it's been awesome!

This past week was Butler's 1st week of coming to ALL of my classes! He did magnificently! Listened to commands well and settled well during the 4 days we spend at the local college. He was a little impatient during Thursday's Biology class, but I was tired of school by then too!

Today my friend and I went to a State Park to take some photos and Mr. Bee accompanied us! Enjoy the photos they are immensely adorable!

~Madison & Butler

Advanced Training Report: September

[Photo from September '08]
Well another month has come and gone and he's still there!!! YIPPEE!!! This was Andros's *most likely* last written/emailed report! Next month his trainer will give me a call to talk about whether he will be rotating through Team Training!!! It's just so exciting!!!!! Ok here it is...Enjoy :)

Health: No Health Concerns

Training/Commands in Progress:
Basic & Advanced(Behind, Front, Out, Move) (Ambulatory and Wheelchair)
Retrieve, Hold, Get(Ambulatory & Wheelchair)
Light, Push, Tug/Drop
Interactive, Touch, Step and Pull(NEW!)

Behavior's Part 1:
-Barking
-Whining
-Non Goal Directed Kennel Stress, Vocalizing
-Licking/Chewing Feat(New..)

Behavior's Part 2:
-Allows/Accepts Physical Handling/Grooming
-Interacts appropriately with people
-Walks nicely on leash
-Willing
-Attentive to Handler

Note from Trainer:
Andros is displaying excitable barking and whining in his kennel when other dogs are being let outside. This is not currently a concern. (same as previous months)

Andros has been introduced to all advanced training commands and is displaying a very good understanding of them. In the coming month we will work to "finish" the behaviors, meaning physical cues, motivation, and correction will be diminished in an attempt to get Andros to take greater and greater responsibility for completing the commands. He continues to display some non-goal directed vocalization as described last month. Not an area of huge concern but again, something we will continue to evaluate.

Field Trips: Lowes, Mingo Park, Delaware "City Walk", Polaris Mall, Handling challenges at CCI center - all to proof commands, evaluate manageability and responsiveness in new environments.

Fear:
Response to environmental sounds/auditory stimuli: Moderate
Response to novel stimuli/visual surprise: Moderate

Distractibility:
Distraction in response to environmental stimuli: Moderate

Energy:
Level of management required: Moderate

Training:
Response to motivation: High
Response to correction: High
Learning Rate: High

Status: 2nd semester training

~Madison & Butler
(P.S Andros is now 20 months old. Happy month day Bud!)

WidgeButt

Yes, Butler + Widget = WidgeButt.....

IT has been tons of fun having Miss Widget here. I am gonna be pretty sad to see her go! BUT...I am gonna be happy to have my social life back! Puppy's restrict me to the home so much :)

Her and Butler are utterly adorable together and I'm sure he'll miss having a playmate! She is a very good little girl, and her puppy raiser has done fantastic with her! I bet she's missing this sweet little girl as well!

Here are some pictures of WidgeButt....
-Madison & Butler
(Andros's report comes in 5 days!!!)

7 Reasons@7 months

Well tomorrow my little butter-ball will be 7 MONTHS old! Wow, is time flying! For this month I shall give you 7 reasons why I love puppy raising!

1. Having that puppy with you most time is great. You have that company as you drive, and that constant buddy when up late studying! It's great to have them with you everywhere from classes to lunch!

2. Those loving eyes looking back at you could melt any heart!

3. I love the community CCI and puppy raising builds, I've met people I never would have before!

4. I love the challenge puppy raising brings. I love overcoming obstacles & teaching commands!

5. I love all the presentations I get to do! Like American girl, schools, and Lions Clubs. I enjoy talking about CCI and gaining self confidence!

6. I love getting to raise these magnificent dogs so that they can go and help someone someday! That is the biggest reason why I love puppy raising!

7. LASTLY I love puppy raising because I have gotten to meet some pretty magnificent dogs, to name a few, Conover, Andros, & Butler

These are seven reasons I love puppy raising at Butler's 7 month-day!!

~Madison & Butler

Sidenote: I realized today that September is my "Anniversary" during September '06 I had my dad say yes, sent in an application, had a call interview, got accepted, and was put on the waiting list. It amazes me that 3 years has gone by! Wow! I am thankful for every one, as well as every CCI puppy that has graced my life along the way. Hopefully there will be many more years and many more puppies, since I'm addicted I'm sure there will be :)