Oct - Dec. 2002
Milo's been working on:
- Milo's most recent great achievement was learning to speak on command! This was something that took some extra effort to teach him, but that just means he learned it extra well. He loves to do his "speak" command.
- "Take it" and "Hold" -- Milo has made great strides in holding an object in his mouth and not chewing it, but holding it still and gentle.
- Milo's been working on doing 5-minute "sit-and-stays" and longer "drop-and-stays" (for 15 and 30 minutes at a time)
- Continuing work on "get the door," opening heavier doors
- Maneuvering appropriately into and inside of elevators
- Familiarization with electric wheelchairs
- "Get the blanket"
- Working with a Flexi leash (This is the type of leash he will be on once he is placed with his partner. So far we have only worked with a regular leash.)
- Using a pull string to turn on a light -- This will be useful if Milo needs to pull a call string, such as the ones installed in hospital bathrooms.
- "Go get help" (go find a person and alert them that someone needs help, such as nudging them with their nose - we're still working on what Milo will do for this)
- Picking up a variety of new objects - some of the more interesting items Milo's worked on recently are a wet dish cloth, metal can opener, a heavy ceramic dish, cassette tape, odd shaped/size children's toys, coffee mug, stapler, computer board, headphones, walkman
We visited Courage Center, and he worked with a couple of other people, getting on/off an elevator, opening doors, and doing other cues. He did really great!
Sara spent a day in a wheelchair with Milo, both around the house as well as out in public. We went shopping at several stores. This gave Milo a chance to use what he knows while working with someone in a wheelchair. He has been around wheelchairs his whole life, but it was a new experience for him to work all day with a wheelchair. He did very well, and we found a few areas to work on, so we'll be doing more work in public with the wheelchair.
Some specific things Milo's been working and improving on...
- Taking any object when told "take it," then carrying it. We've been working on this a lot when Milo goes to work with Sara.
- Learning the cues "right" (when we're going to turn a corner right) and "left" (when turning a corner to the left)
- Using his paws or nose to push various types of metal door open buttons
- We're also working on "leave it" in new places, such as "leave it" (leave it alone) when he sees a piece of food on the floor at a grocery store or at a restaurant.
Milo also visited the zoo - check out the pictures.
- He's been improving on "Take it" - taking an item presented to him - then carrying it.
- We're really working on "Get Dressed" so that when it's time to work, Milo consistently gets dressed (puts his head into his Helping Paws pack).
Milo visited some new places recently:
- He attended a physical therapy session and got to check out the various equipment.
- He visited a dentist's office.
- He went to a hair salon and did a long "Drop/Stay."
- He went camping and slept in a tent for the first time.
At the end of the month Milo will be doing a demo at a senior citizen's apartment complex. He also may be attending the next Helping Paws graduation on May 21.
Milo continues to polish his skills, such as laying quietly in restaurants and praciticing carrying and holding objects. One of Milo's recent improvements was with "Switch" (activating the metal switches to open doors in public places).
We want to give Milo a variety of experience using his skills in different places and in new situations. He was concerned about several live musicians at the Farmers Market recently, so this is something we will be working on. He also went miniature golfing! He did very well - he was understandably interested in the golf balls, but patiently restrained himself from chasing them and only "helped" me by picking up my ball once. I have some photos I will post soon.
For example, Milo does a wonderful "rise" (putting front paws) up on a table. He stays until he's told "down," even when you move several feet from him. However, while he's in a "rise" with the Flexi leash, and you move away from him, it tugs on him. He has been learning that even though he feels this tugging, he still has to remain in a "rise" until he's told "down."
Some other new experiences for Milo recently...
-Milo attended a 3-hour evening class with Sara after working for a full day. He did very well remaining quiet under the table during the class even though he'd been working all day. There are quite a variety of door switches there (the large, metal buttons to open doors in public buildings), so we were able to do a lot of practice with his cue, "switch."
-Milo experienced his first whole work week, Monday through Friday. He went to a full 8+ hour work day each day, and several of the days he continued working into the evening. He was ready for some down time over the weekend!
Milo has a big "first" coming up in August - we are taking him on his first airplane ride! I'll make sure to write an update on how everything goes.
Milo will also be at the Helping Paws 6th Annual Tail Waggin' Buffet in September.
Some of the new places Milo visited on his trip include a nail salon, various shops, and the Yankee Candle Company (he licked his lips when he smelled all those candles!).
Milo's Helping Paws class is doing some work in new places, going on field trips, such as to Parker's Lake Park in Plymouth to practice retrieving. Milo will also be participating in the Helping Paws demos at the State Fair (in the pet/animal barn) over Labor Day weekend.
Some specific things we're currently working on:
- We're continuing to work with a Flexi leash.
- "Get the wheelchair" (a strap is attached to the back of the wheelchair and he retrieves/pulls the wheelchair backwards to bring it)
- Opening a door by a strap hooked to the handle and holding it open, even when there is a lot of tension and pull
One major task we worked on was retrieving. We spent some time at the mall working on retrieving varoius types of items while there were many distractions, such as passing shoppers and various smells.
The most exciting new experience Milo went on was the paddleford boat tour down the Mississippi. He loved it - the weather was beautiful and he seemed to enjoy watching the river float by. He did great lying under the table inside the cabin as well and wasn't phased by anything, including getting on/off the boat, going up/down the metal stairway, or doing a "rise" up onto the railling of the boat on deck.
On September 20 Milo began a two week stay with another Helping Paws family. We do this periodically through class in order to give the dogs new experiences. Milo comes home on October 5 and so far it sounds like he's done well in the exchange. We have been "hosting" a black lab, Sophie, who's been a lot of fun to work with.
Milo has been working on "get the door" - trying to polish up that skill.
We're spending some more time working with a wheelchair. The other day we worked in the tennis court behind our house in the wheelchair:
- Getting used to walking (correctly!) on the right side and left side
- Praciting positions ("side," "heel," "front," and "behind")
- Going fast, slow, and stopping (when the wheelchair stops, Milo has to stop and sit)
- We worked with both a regular leash and a Flexi leash.
- We also worked on retrieving, including doing "my lap" (front paws on lap to give the item)
- We practiced "stay" and "come"
Milo went on his second airplane trip this month. He did really well... again. This plane was much smaller so it gave him a new experience from last time when we were on a much larger plane. (He also got to meet Santa!)
Another new experience this month was going to the dentist. Milo did pretty well during my appointment - the dentist even gave him his own kids toothbrush!
Milo is doing some holiday demos this month and next, too.
Milo is also going to a week-long evaluation - we're looking forward to hearing how he does!
Holiday events during the month were perfect opportunities for Milo to practice long "drop / stays" during meals or other activities.
Milo had a great Christmas - he received many fun treats, including attending the annual Helping Paws potluck. Each dog brings a wrapped toy or treat. All the gifts are placed in a pile on the floor and the dogs take turn retrieving the one they want. It's so fun to watch. (Milo got a really cool new toy this year.)