"A TRIP TO THE AIRPORT"

Our Orlando Puppy Raiser Group toured the Sanford International Airport on Saturday, August 20, 2011.  Patriot and twelve of his fellow guide dogs in training were treated to a wonderful opportunity to experience some new exposures.



The dogs had several opportunities to practice their routine of getting on and off a bus.



Upon arrival at the airport, the dogs were weighed on the luggage scale at the check in counter.  Patriot is now pushing 80 lbs!

 We then went down to Security screening area.  I had Patriot "sit and stay" while I walked through the screening machine. Since I did not set off the alarm on the machine I was cleared, at which point I called Patriot to "come." Patriot's metal collar set off the alarm and he was told to "stand and stay" A TSA screener proceeded to pat him down while Patriot's tail was wagging a mile a minute... "That's my boy" He passed the pat down and we were able to collect our belongings from the bins, put our shoes back on and proceed through the airport.



The dogs ranged in age from 11 weeks to 11 months old.  They were greeted with many smiles and ahhhhs throughout the airport.



We were taken out to the hangar area where the dogs were exposed to the noise of smaller planes coming and going.  A helicopter did a demonstration for us and had the dogs full attention! They did well.

Back inside the airport, airport personnel turned on the baggage claim conveyor.  Patriot was fascinated...had I let him, he would have jumped on and gone for a ride..."No Fear"  



At the end of our tour TSA had us take a group picture that will be featured in an upcoming TSA magazine!

Good Dogs....pat pat

"CONSISTENCY"

I think one of the most important things that I've learned while teaching Patriot his commands is "CONSISTENCY"  He knows his commands and performs them beautifully while at home, but when we're out and about it takes him longer to respond.  I think he is interested in what is going on around him and is not focused, hopefully this improves with maturity.



I've started letting Patriot sleep out of his crate several nights a week, he "really" likes this.  He's picked a spot beside the bed that he calls his own.  In the morning (5:30am) Patriot makes "no noise" but I can feel him staring at me.  If I don't open my eyes and pretend that I'm still sleeping, he puts his head on the bed and starts breathing in my direction.  This is what I wake up to on these mornings......



Patriot's Snozzola!!



He makes me smile :) and that makes the beginning of a GOOD day!



Patriot at the Farmers Market



He wants to smell or touch everything with his nose.  I've been working with him to keep his head up while we're out on our walks and exposures, it's proving to be a little difficult!



Patriot in the Dr's waiting room



My office help guarding the shredder



"Now where's that paper going"