This is where the fun starts.

Things didn’t go to plan at all. I was here just 45 minutes and I got Ike, my new guide dog. This was the perfect situation for me. I wasn’t all that thrilled with the thoughts of spending a few hours simply getting to know my environment. Their all just straight corridors and even part of the floor is marked out to make it easy to find one of the turns. I couldn’t have asked for anything better!

The trainer led Ike down to my room and after a brief introduction he left to let Ike and I get a little bit more acquainted I wasn’t prepared for what came next. Ike cried for around five minutes at the door when the trainer left. He stood at the door and no amount of coaxing or talking would make him move. I’m not sure if it was the best thing to do but going back to what I know best, I did some obedience. It wasn’t particularly difficult stuff. No corrections were needed at all but it took the dogs mind off his loss for long enough to get him to focus on me a little more. From here things went a little better. He’d get distracted when he heard a failure voice but by standing in front of the door with him I was able to keep his focus on me. This is something I really hadn’t expected but something I had heard a lot about so I wasn’t surprised. For anyone who is unaware of this process, the dog becomes very attached to the trainer as you can understand. When the trainer hands him over to the new handler it’s a massive wrench for the dog. The poor thing feels very vulnerable and insecure and it is very important for the new handler to build a bond with the dog as soon as possible.

So, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve found that every time I bring Ike for a quick walk around the centre he’s more comfortable and relaxed with me when we return to the room. The problem is that every time the trainer comes back we take a little step backward. It’s a little frustrating but I completely understand it.

After a few walks we were given a Kong. This is a rubber toy that they like guide dogs to play with. The thing is, I hate them. I just don’t like them at all. I still gave it my best shot though. I tried throwing it a little bit but although Ike retrieved it he wasn’t particularly pushed. I learned after giving it some time that he prefers it if I don’t throw it for him. Instead he wants me to hold it so he grabs on then we both pull out of it in a crazy gave of tug of war. You wouldn’t believe how relieved I am that he likes this. I am trying as much as I can to ensure I don’t compare Ike to Freddie, my previous dog but it’s a lot harder than I thought for different reasons than I expected. As very few of you know, I was actually quite nervous and even afraid of dogs when I went down to train with Freddie. It was him that put me at ease with dogs. I learned what to expect from dog behaviour from him. I was worried at the start that I wouldn’t be able to get use to Ike because I had no common point of reference but now that I know the two of them play the same I am very confident that I can use this as a solid foundation to effectively create this bond the trainers talk about so often.

Even though I didn’t expect it to be so difficult I was slightly prepared. I had spent months walking my sisters dog an untrained and completely stupid mutt because I actually missed the company of a dog but it gave me a little bit of an idea of how to cope with a completely different dog.

Anyway, never mind all that, I asked one of the other trainers if they’d give me a ragger. This is a toy made of rope with knots on each end. I love it because I can really feel what the dog is doing and I’m delighted to find that Ike seems to love it more than the Kong too! Oh playing is such a funny event. Ike is so vocal! I get growled at and he even uses his paws to try to get it off me. The playing field is now even!

That’s really what today all is about. Play, the occasional walk around the inside of the centre and getting to know Ike. He’s getting use to me slowly but surely. I have a feeling that this bond is going to take a while to build but I think when it’s done, it will be completely solid and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

One thing I’ve really noticed about Ike is he is a real licker! He licks everything! The walls, the floor, the door, the bed, and the bags oh… and me! This has settled down since about two hours after I got him but if it continues, it’s something I will need to fix.

I have to say that his behaviour has been impeccable. I have had him with me for the entire day and he hasn’t caused me one problem. Considering that his obedience shouldn’t really be that good with me yet that’s really saying a lot. Getting him under chairs is exceptionally easy and I can easily forget he’s there when he’s settled.

The one thing that bothers me a little at the moment is he didn’t eat for me tonight. This isn’t something that I’m overly concerned about as he seems very attached to the trainer so this must be quite distressing for him. I’ll report it to the staff, monitor it and if it continues tomorrow I’ll start doing something about it.

The centre is fantastic. I have to say one thing though. The dog’s bed is right under a counter type thing. Ike is a very large horse of an animal so when he stretches he hits his head off the bottom. He did that after drinking today as well.