Holiday season tips and youth program

00:11S1

Welcome to the Seeing eye Dogs Show on Vision Australia Radio. I'm your host, Harriet Moffat, and I'm wishing you all a very happy holiday season. To kick off this episode, we will have some festive season tips with Puppy development trainer Abby Howes. We're going to be talking about some of the temptations and interesting distractions that will come up, and how to help you and your dog have a fun and safe holiday season with whatever social gatherings you may be attending. Then, as a bit of a good news piece to start wrapping up the year, I'm joined by senior Instructor Brooke Anderson talking about the Senior Dogs Youth Program for 2023. This is the second year of this program, so we're going to be talking about how this year's program went and the future of the program. Now, to start off, here's my first interview for this show with Abby. Talking holiday season tips for your dog. Hi, Abby, thank you for joining me on the show today.

01:13S2

Thanks for having me back.

01:14S1

So we're going to be talking a little bit about some of the, I guess, kind of troubleshooting and more, I guess, her home behavior around the holiday season. So there's lots of parties and events coming up. What are the types of things that that you should keep in mind if you've got a dog in the home?

01:30S2

So it is definitely one of the busier times of year. No matter what you're celebrating this time of year, there's usually a lot going on for everybody. So there's a lot of novel objects that can be quite interesting for our puppies. There's a lot of new faces that they might meet that can be quite exciting, um, as well as lots of temptations that they need to ignore. So, um, a great place to start with. That could be. What temptations have you got floating around your house this time of year? Um, I know for me, we have a big family dinner, and all of those lovely little snacks can be quite tempting. I'm sure it's the same for you. We've had a few puppies together now.

02:04S1

Yes, and? And I'm thinking about this, too. It's almost like you have to re puppy proof. It's like your puppy proof when you've got a puppy coming home. Even if you've got an older puppy, a lot of new things pop up in ways that. And when you're distracted, I guess that you wouldn't even think about, right?

02:19S2

Absolutely. So you're preparing a beautiful meal for the family. That's a lot of temptations and distractions because you're distracted by cooking times and prepping and, um, all that fun stuff. And your puppy is distracted by that beautiful platter of fresh seafood and that you have lovingly prepared and left on the table. Um, so making sure that we are tethering, creating, or just supporting our dogs when we are in a heavy food space, we are using, you know, Labradors and golden retrievers for a lot of our work here at Seeing our Dogs. And they are very food driven dogs. So they will be sitting there adoring all the smells coming out of your kitchen and off your barbecue. Um, so it's in our best interest to support them into avoiding the temptation of grabbing those off coffee tables and trestle tables and out of children's hand. If they're running around eating snacks and sandwiches.

03:13S1

Or even, I guess sometimes you're slightly less disciplined adult family members who might think that it could be a fun idea to feed the dog. I guess that's another thing to manage to.

03:24S2

Absolutely. There is always somebody in the family who likes to, uh, slip a few little scraps by the side of their, their chair. Um, and so supporting them and puppy to not do so. Um, it's in puppy's best interest. You never know. You know what seasonings and things might be on that, that those foods that could upset puppy's tummy. Um, and that's a whole other stress that we don't, we don't need this time of year. Um, but also it is just supporting them to make the right decisions when they're out working with their, with their handlers. So making sure we support our families to help puppies get it right is really important. Um, I always like to say have five ten minutes of puppy time at the end of the day, middle of the day. Um, and once puppy settled, when people arrive, let people have a cuddle, let them enjoy puppy so they can get all of that out of the system before the temptation of food is added. For human and canine.

04:17S1

I guess part of the kind of thing in this one would be almost kind of bringing back that less trust element to some degree, like if you think that the puppy's kind of vaguely trustworthy, but then you're upping the stakes with like more people, more distractions, way more food, that I guess playing it on the safer side is probably what you'd be wanting to do and really just really back to basics.

04:39S2

Absolutely. So if you know you're having a big family dinner and you potentially are going to be distracted with Christmas bonbons and conversation, that's a great time to put puppy in a space far away in their crate. Let them have some downtime while you're having a good old chat with everybody. Those bonbons. We might not think about it, but those little little bags at the table, they can be quite scary for a pop. And if you're not in a position to support them through that noise, put them somewhere where they're not going to hear it. Um, or if you're not in position to monitor what they're getting up to and scavenging under the table, pop them away, let them have a nap. It is an exhausting time of time for them having all these people adore them. Um, so give them a break. Let them have a nap. There is absolutely nothing wrong with putting puppy down for a nap during those busy elements. Um, another busy time that you really want to make sure you have puppy under control is present time. All of those presents under the tree. Um, basically treat your puppy like a small child who's just arrived. Just realized Santa has arrived. Um, those puppies are not for the family they offer puppy. Um, and if you don't keep puppy away from the tree, we can lose presents that people might be very excited about. Um, but we can also have injuries with Christmas decorations, knocking over trees, all of that kind of stuff. So best to say puppy is only around that tree supervised. And if you're doing gift giving and exchanging, puppy is on a leash next to you, or at least getting lots of heavy rewards for staying with you. And when you're opening your presence, puppy is under the care of a Coke area or in a crate or tethered.

06:05S1

I guess even like the wrapping paper in itself is like a distraction or. Something that is interesting and potentially even ingestible.

06:12S2

It's definitely ingestible, and we want to avoid any of those obstructions and quite stressful holiday vet trips. Um, so things like wrapping paper that they can ingest, Christmas baubles, tinsel, um, even some of our very favorite Christmas plants can be toxic, so just avoiding those is best. Um, and just not letting puppy get access. But also the temptation of just playing with scrunched up wrapping paper is really, really fun. Um, you know, we always joke about how the kids are more excited by the cardboard boxes and they are the presents inside them. Puppy is going to be just as excited by the wrapping paper as the presents, so make sure you're stacking it up or keeping it out of reach. A puppy while present giving is happening.

06:56S1

So this is potentially kind of before beforehand, um, exercise or something that I'm thinking that I was thinking about rather than, I guess, for their particular time. But would you do something like say, you know, a fixed tether or a general impulse control kind of regime to make to kind of help them work out that the presents are not for them?

07:14S2

Absolutely. So a lot of support and training. So our leave it our fixed tether games, our distraction games, they're all really, really useful for us to do ahead of time with people coming to the door, making sure your puppy has a really nice stay on their bed when people come to the door is a really handy one. Um, doing some fixed tether passes, um, with presents and baubles and tinsel and all that stuff that's really fun to grab is really useful as well. Um, getting some really solid vehicles that if you're in the living room and you see a puppy, make a beeline for that tree. If they've got really solid recall, it's much easier to get them away and you've got something to reward them for. And also just making sure that you have plenty of appropriate things for them to access around at the same time. So have their toys available to them, so that the only option is not the one thing that you don't want them getting towards. And if you do have any concerns about supporting your puppy through that time, you still have a few days, um, to contact your trainer and just have a chat through some particular training sheets that might be relevant, uh, training games that might be relevant for your puppy. For instance, if you have family members that might be bringing other dogs around and what supports you may need to put in place there.

08:22S1

I've actually done it. Even if I've gone away for Christmas, I've actually brought a crate with me the last, I think 2 or 3 years. I think I had one time I had a pup in a cone. Maybe she'd just been to text, but it was, you know, kind of it's a bit long of a period sometimes for our pups. Absolutely left at home.

08:39S2

It is. Absolutely. And also it's so outside of their normal routine, um, and we tend to either be incredibly excited about the whole thing or incredibly stressed, depending on your approach to the holiday family. Um, so absolutely, making sure that you have something in place to support your puppy and help them mellow out and have some downtime, and just recognizing that, hey, they actually may not be able to do as much as they usually do or may not be as competent, because we're asking a whole lot of them. Their brain is working in overdrive.

09:09S1

Depending on, I guess, the level of prep that you have to do that that morning or even the the night before. Are there things that you could be doing to help set up the puppy? I guess kind of either getting energy out or kind of preparing things to, I guess, set yourselves up so that you are ready for, you know, the the whole thing.

09:28S2

Absolutely. So if you are going to visit family, um, make sure puppy gets a really good walk in beforehand before you do that travel time. Keeping in mind that most of our puppies are going to be sleeping that whole journey. So if you can allow yourself a little bit of extra time just to go for a walk around that new area, do maybe just do a block walk, get them back into training mode from having a nice long car nap. Before you head inside, have a chat with whoever's hosting and set up a little space for puppy. That can be just their downtime space. If you've brought their crate, find out where you can set that crate up. Um, and have a chat with any kids that might be around and say, you know, when puppies in their crate, they're having a nap. It's their bedroom. Please leave them alone, because that can be quite hard for the puppies as well, if they're constantly the center of attention. As much as they love it, they don't get to switch off. Um, if, on the other hand, you're hosting and you're having people come to you again, get some of that energy out, do some training games, um, practice that leaving of presents and baubles and all that kind of stuff. Um, doing some fixed tether, go out for a nice walk, and then I would probably recommend having pup in their crate as everybody's arriving, just so that it's not that excitement's not spreading across. Um, you're excited to see everybody puppy will be too, so just set them up to do well and not jump on everybody as they walk in the door, because not everybody appreciates that. Um, once puppy has settled and everyone else has settled and all of that festive chaos has subdued a little puppy, you can come out and you can have that greeting in that nice five, ten minutes of just have some cuddle time, try to keep it as calm as you can. If you've got family that want to engage with puppy, maybe get them to do some of those training games that you practice before they arrived. Um, and then just settle into the day and just remember it. Is a really busy day. It is unlikely that your puppy is going to be the best version of themselves. So just give yourself and give puppy a break. Take a deep breath and anything that goes wrong we can fix tomorrow.

11:21S1

And I guess even even when we're talking about puppy, we're not just talking about kind of young babies as well. It's hard even for a 12 month old type.

11:28S2

Oh, absolutely. I would basically say this holiday season, any dog that is under ten is going to struggle because there's under ten years. Ten years. Yes. Yeah. Good, good. Um, because all of the people that they love as much as you are showing up. So there's that level of excitement. Um, and it doesn't matter how old your dog is, they love everybody and they want to see everybody, and they want to celebrate with you, too. Um, but also for our older puppies, our, like, ten month old puppies, there's challenges that they may not have faced before because it's their first Christmas. So they've not had a lovely roast or a lovely seafood dish platter out. Um, so there's a lot of new challenges that they may not have faced. Um, for some of our puppies, Santa is a challenge. Um, he's a very exciting, jolly man. And they go and doing their shopping walks, and they see this jolly man that is getting very excited. They pick up on that excitement and they get very excited. So he's novel. It's not something they've seen before. Um, so just take a deep breath and work through them with it. Create distance. Um, and just remember, it's just one day. Just do exactly what you can manage to do to support puppy and work through any behavioral challenges that you may have faced in the following days, just to help build that impulse control.

12:44S1

I feel like, if nothing else, just prepare yourself a few frozen kongs and you can just cycle through some kongs.

12:50S2

Frozen kongs, have some nice carrots ready to go drip feed. Exactly. Um, I would definitely recommend doing a half breakfast and taking advantage of that other half throughout the day. Um, but also just keep in mind of how much you are drip feeding, and there may not be much dinner left at the end of the day.

13:08S1

Yeah, but, you know, if you are going to blow the puppy's diet, you know, if it's a few pieces of kibble as drip feeding, then you know that that really is the good one, because you have to keep in mind that, um, you know, if if you have someone who says, I'm really desperate to feed the dog or treat, um, if you can give them, you know, a piece of their kibble or something, that is going to be much better than them saying, oh, come on, just a little bit of ham, you know, which is even a little bit not so great.

13:32S2

Yeah, absolutely. And you know what? It's all about balance. So we'll just go out for an extra walk at the end of the day to burn off some of those, those extra kibbles. And you know what? Your dog is probably going to enjoy that break from festivities and help win them down for a full night's sleep that everybody is going to need after all of that, um, holiday chaos.

13:52S1

Well, thank you so much for joining me on the show, talking a little bit kind of holiday season. Um, event planning.

13:58S2

No, thanks for having me.

14:04S1

Hi, Brooke, thanks for joining me on the show today.

14:07S3

No, thank you for having me.

14:09S1

So just to start off, what is your role at seeing eye Dogs and could you please introduce yourself?

14:14S3

Um, yes, I'm Brooke and I am an instructor at Seeing Eye Dog. So my role is around working with clients to pair them up with, um, their future seeing eye dog, um, conduct, seeing eye dog assessments, and then support clients that already have sort of their, um, dog guides on any sort of issues that they're having.

14:37S1

So one of the things that you've been working on, I guess, over the last few years has been the youth program. So we're going to talk a little bit about that. Has the youth program for 2023 now wrapped up for the year, and was this the second year of the program?

14:52S3

It was the second year of the program. So 2022 was the pilot program, which we then went on to offer a second round, which was this year. Um, and we're also then going to be running the program again next year as well.

15:06S1

How many participants were in the this year's program and what was the age range?

15:12S3

This year we had five participants. Um, and they ranged between sort of 16 to 18.

15:19S1

So what are the skills that you worked on throughout this? Um, I think I wrote in my questions camp, but I really it's the whole year, isn't it? It is this program, I suppose.

15:29S3

Yeah. So the skills that we work on, um, for the program. So it's a 12 month program. Um, and we're really looking to increase the participants orientation and mobility skills. Um, and they range from things such as, um, the differences when traveling in different environments. So they can range from suburban areas to rural. Um, and we discuss around how they differ between, uh, mobilizing with a cane and a dog. Uh, we work on skills such as road crossings, uh, and different road crossings. And what, you know, we need to look out for. We also work on, um, it's sort of what the pros and cons are of the dog. Um, and sort of that awareness of the differences between the cane and dog and then give them that experience on the camps as well. So there's each month focuses on a topic. Um, so in total we have um, ten topics that we cover, um, and work on throughout the program.

16:32S1

And is there kind of, I guess, individual goals or goal setting that the participants do?

16:37S3

Yeah. So, um, before the clients start on the program, um, we sit down with them and discuss sort of what their mobility goals are for the 12 months, um, in terms of their individual goals, they work with their own, um, of choice, um, alongside the program, and we recommend they see them, um, every month, um, to then personalize the program for themselves. So if the topic of the month is road crossing, uh, we discussed that as a group. But then to ensure that we're working towards the client's individual goals, they'll work with their ONM and tailor road crossings for them. So some people might be working on quiet suburban road crossings and starting out on, you know, the basics of how to assess traffic. And some people might be up to sort of, um, heading into busier road, um, crossing assessments and things like that. And so the ONM can personalize that for them.

17:33S1

Did the participants reach their goals, um, for this kind of year, this program?

17:37S3

Yeah. So all participants sort of have the goal of exploring dog guide mobility, um, and, and working to increase their mobility skills. Um, all participants did increase their mobility skills and had sort of a great, um, exploration of dog guide mobility throughout the two camps that we had.

17:56S1

And did you get much feedback from the participants during the year and on the completion of the program?

18:02S3

Yeah, we often try to seek their feedback throughout the program, because we're always trying to ensure that we're, um, putting things in place that can improve the program each year. Um, and so this year, uh, the feedback or sorry, based on last year's feedback, um, one of the things they really wanted to know about was the early stages of, um, the dogs development. Um, and so we had our puppy development team come in and talk around what the first 12 months sort of look like and sort of gave them that, um, whole journey approach.

18:37S1

Was that kind of the main difference between the pilot program year and this year in activities, as was, or was there anything else that was kind of new or changed?

18:46S3

That was the main one. So the feedback has generally been that the program is pretty well structured for them to explore dog mobility. Um, but yeah, that was one of the things that they had wished, um, they wanted to do a little bit more off. So we've incorporated that into this year and for future years as well.

19:04S1

Are you going to run the program again in 2024, and how can people find out more information if they are interested or sign up?

19:13S3

Yes, we're going to run the program again for 2024. Um, we're looking for anywhere between 3 to 6 participants. Um, and so if people are interested, then they can head to the Seeing Eye Dog website where we have a dedicated page for the Seeing Eye Dog Youth program. Um, that will give us sort of a comprehensive idea around what program is and a little bit more information there. They can also, um, fill out the form at the bottom for us to get in contact with them. The other option is people are more than welcome as well to call Vision Australia um, and express their interest. Um, and they'll be put on uh, put through to myself. Um, and the other one as well, if people are interested, is to talk to their orientation mobility specialist, if you have one, um, to, you know, disclose that you might be interested in this program. And often they can also reach out if you'd prefer that as a method as well.

20:09S1

Are there any kind of particular criteria for eligibility? Um, for someone who is interested in taking part of the program in 2024?

20:16S3

Yeah. So in terms of eligibility, what we're looking for is that the person, um, has the, um, ability to get around their school environment, um, independently or is working towards that. Um, we're also looking for clients, um, to be able to administer their own medical needs on the campus that are held in April and September and have the, um, knowledge that they're those during those camps. Um, that they will be sort of staying away from home for the three days. Um, each participant will get their own room, which has their own ensuite. Um, and then we all share the communal areas to, you know, um, do group sessions. The other things that we're looking for is that they are currently, um, have a need for a mobility aid. So they're using their long cane or want to explore or need along cane. Um, if they're currently not using it for various reasons. Um, we can explore that as well. Um, but yeah, they're sort of the main ones that we're sort of looking for.

21:16S1

Do. So you said that the camps are twice a year. Are they located in Victoria, and do the clients have to be Victoria based?

21:24S3

Yeah. Great question. So in terms of the camps, um, they are held in school holidays, um, April and September for three days and two nights. Um, we are a national programme. So in terms of, um, clients, they can be, uh, based anywhere. If you, if clients aren't in Victoria because the camps are held in our Kensington, um, at our Kensington location, um, where we have two houses here, then we support that client in being able to attend through, um, the purchasing of their flights and the meeting of them at the airport. So as long as the parents are happy to get them to the airport and see them onto the plane, we will be there at the other end where, um, they exit the plane, uh, will support them in getting their bags and then getting back to seeing idle residents. Um, and then obviously communicating with the parents at all stages that they know where their, where their children are.

22:19S1

What is the structure of the programme for 2024?

22:23S3

Contents of the structure. Um, it's what we do is we have a monthly zoom meeting. Um, and that's to discuss the topic of the month. So whether that be road crossings or travelling in different areas. Um, and that's to do it as a whole group. Um, so that we can sort of support each other. We discuss what our how our own sessions are gone and any questions people might have. Then we also once a month after they catch up with the their own Em of choice to work on their individual own goals. Um and topic of the month. So, um, we support the Rams in giving them, um, some of the lesson plans if they'd like. Um, but as long as they're happy to sort of give us the feedback on how they're road crossings and various orientation mobility sessions are going, then um, on top of that, we do two camps through the year. So that's the April and September 1st. Um, the first one is centred around sort of the foundations of guide mobility. So how to feed a dog toilet or dog grooming? Um, the basic, um, skills required for taking care of a dog. And then we also do. Quite. And residential streets in terms of their mobility. So they'll do the route with their cane first, and then we'll put the dog on the same route. So they get that exposure of what the differences are, um, between their cane and dog, um, as well.

23:51S1

And they do actually get to do kind of hands on, you know, literally working with the dog, don't they?

23:57S3

Correct. So once the dog is issued to them on the first day, um, it's the clients with support around it that's the client's responsibility to, um, care for that dog until the third day. And that includes the dog sleeping with them, um, and at all points, taking them wherever it is that they go. So what they such as what they do with their dog during breakfast time and lunch, and how six clients can sit around a table and put their dogs under their seats. We also on the both camps, head to, um, local cafes so that they can experience the social element, um, of how to, you know, order something at a cafe and manage your dog at the same time. Um, the second camp builds on, um, the foundation, so it's a little bit more advanced. By that stage, they would have worked with their own, um, for, you know, a few months, um, before getting to it. So we build up the skills, um, required for the second camp, which is more busier area. So shopping centre environments, um, we as a group do a night walk as well as an exposure there. Um, and then just generally sort of working in busier areas to sort of feel the differences, um, between dog and cane there as well.

25:10S1

So now that we've kind of had the program, I suppose almost for two years, you've probably had a little bit more of a kind of almost life cycle of, of this. And I think you said even maybe we did a follow up or I did a follow up with someone about the youth program from last year where you said that someone some of the clients had actually, or some of the participants had actually applied for seeing Eye Dog. So have any of those past participants now actually gone on to be partnered with and graduated with a single dog?

25:38S3

Yeah. So we have had a few people go through the program now. Um, and at the end of the program feel that they're ready for dog guide mobility. Um, I think it's important to sort of note that this, uh, program is very much, um, designed to give them that exploration. Um, and the outcomes at the end can be varied. So we have had amazing results, um, in terms of people having their goal of their wanting to, um, get a dog. And so they've gone through the program. They know the skills required. They've worked really hard in their own, um, sessions. And at the end of the program, um, being able to sort of demonstrate that they're eligible for a seeing eye dog, um, gone onto the waitlist and, and our successfully working with their dog guide. Um, we've also had the other situation where people have gone through the program really wanted a dog guide. And then at the end, um, realized that dog mobility is a bit more involved in it. And so the caring for a dog during their school year is something because they're not interested in at this point. Um, and they will perhaps in the future, which is still a really big success. Um, and then we've had clients that at the end of the program, we've identified a couple of orientation and mobility, um, uh, topics that they need to work on before sort of a dog would be suitable for them. And so we've been able to sort of tailor a plan so that they can work on those things post program, um, to, to achieve their goal of dog mobility in the future.

27:06S1

So I guess when it comes down to it, it's kind of a bit of a personal thing of whether, you know, they've they've realized that actually having that taste has made them think, you know, now is the right time or not. And then also making sure that when they do apply, it is actually the right time.

27:21S3

Yeah, the program is definitely designed around that is to really ensure that people have all the information at hand, um, to make an informed choice around when it is the right time for them to get a seeing eye dog. Um, or not get a seeing eye dog. And so I think that's been definitely a highlight of the program, and one that the participants have highlighted is, um, being able to have that, um, knowledge has really helped give them the power of knowing when it's the right time for them.

27:49S1

Well, thank you for coming on the show talking about the youth program.

27:52S3

No problem. Thank you for having me.

28:00S4

You've been listening to the singer talk show on Fusion Australia Radio.

28:03S1

I hope you enjoyed my interviews with Abby and Brooke. If you'd like to find out more about seeing dogs, the work we do, how you can help, or taking part in the youth program, head to our website at Sydney, Australia Morgue. Don't forget that we're looking for volunteers in parts of Victoria, south east Queensland and the Central Coast and northern Sydney regions of New South Wales to raise puppies for 6 to 12 months to become senior dogs. Food, medical costs, equipment and training are provided or covered by seeing adults. All we need is your dedication and commitment to raising a puppy. If you or a young person in your care age 12 to 18, is blind or has low vision and is interested in taking part in the youth program, head to the website at Sydney, australia.org/youth Hyphen Camp to find out more about the youth program or get in touch. Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed those interviews and don't forget to tune in. Same time next week for another episode of the Single Dog Show and have a happy and safe holiday season.