Day 7 - First Public Outing!!

Well, today's team training session started in the Bass Pro Shops at the Harrisburg Mall.  Each team broke off with a trainer to work on our own specific cues.  We really needed practice with the elevator. I think Emma had fun, we must have gone up and down an elevator 10 times today so Keith, Em's PCA, and I could all practice!  :)  At least the Bass Pro elevator has fish to watch!  We all were doing great after lots of practice.  We also had her do "under" with benches in the mall.  She does a beautiful recall, which is when we put her in a down or sit - stay and drop the leash.  We walk away at least 15 feet and she has to stay there until we tell her to come.  Wow!  Impressive!  A little scary too at first, to just let her there by herself in the middle of the mall and walk away.  She came running the second we said, "Kindle, come!!"  After mall practice, we all met up in the food court for lunch.  I took Emma's stroller and Kindle by myself to get lunch for Em and I, because I will have to do it a lot.  It was quite a challenge, especially after I had the tray of food, but Kindle is SO good, that she made it easier.  I only got the leash caught in the stroller wheel once.  Yikes!  But we managed and got to the table just fine.  We were the last ones there, so I'm learning that it will take even more time to do things with the dog and Emma than when I just had Em, but that' s okay, it is well worth it!!!
After lunch, we went back to our training location and did some more cue practice, learned how to go on a bus with a service dog, and played a fun game to review everything that we have learned so far.  This group of clients, trainers, and volunteers has been having such a great time, that we even went out to dinner after training twice now.   Tonight was Olive Garden.  Besides, it's the only way we can take Kindle in public before we pass our access test - if the trainers are with us!  Kindle did great!  She stayed under the table quietly and slept the whole time.  She makes a great foot warmer and she immediately picked up Emma's cup when she threw it on the floor.  That's our girl!  :)
Hello to my class!!  It seems very funny to be out in the mall during a school day!  That is a great time to practice with a service dog, there is hardly anyone there!  I have to get used to eating lunch at 12:00.  I am so used to our 10:45 time, that I am VERY hungry by then.  It seems funny to eat lunch during our math time!  I hope you are all doing well with subtraction.  Remember, it is the exact opposite of addition and the answer is called the "difference."  If you are having any trouble, don't worry, we will be spending lots more time on addition and subtraction the rest of the year!  Have a great Wednesday!  I'll be with you again on the blog tomorrow night!  Love,  Mrs. Wenger :)

Yes, that little black figure in the far away background is Kindle, being a good pup and staying until cued to come. :)

                                             Here she comes!!!  Good recalls Kindle!!!

Where's Kindle??  Oh, under the table!  Those 2 little green dots must be her eyes!  Black dogs are tough to see sometimes. :)  Emma is getting a quick snooze in. 

                        Our new expanded family photo!  Welcome to the family, Kindle!!! :))