Bailey is consistently and reliably alerting to highs and lows, his steady progression a result of time, patience, focus, work and encouragement. And we are very lucky to have a good dog. By this I mean a dog that has the characteristics that help him succeed in diabetic alert work.
These include him being a nosey dog, who enjoys staying close to his pack rather than preferring to be outside, showing enthusiasm at working all the time and the tenacity to get your attention when needed.
He also has good genes...I have recently learned that several other dogs from his line (with the same mum), have been sent overseas as seeing eye dogs and another has been trained as an epilepsy alert dog here.
But I must say that his success has also not happened as a result of more training but by offering consistent guidance and rewards with real alerts. His confidence has grown. He knows what his job is and he enjoys what he does. And he has also formed a strong bond with his pack...
So, now that we have reliable and consistent alerting, my focus going forward is night alerting. I'm also starting to do 'interrupted play' games again to help him notice the scent cue whilst captivated by something he enjoys, like tug-of-war.
The game involves me waving the scent source in front of him when we're taking a quick pause from play, and with the toy behind my back along with the scent source, giving him the verbal cue to alert. But he is giving the alert before I have a chance to verbally cue him so he's totally focused on the scent regardless of the distraction.
These interrupted play games help with dependable day alerting but this technique is also found to be key in accomplishing reliable night alerts.
The 22nd October was a special day for our family...it was Bailey's first birthday. We helped him celebrate it by giving him a giant biscuit bone and lots of hugs and kisses...
These include him being a nosey dog, who enjoys staying close to his pack rather than preferring to be outside, showing enthusiasm at working all the time and the tenacity to get your attention when needed.
He also has good genes...I have recently learned that several other dogs from his line (with the same mum), have been sent overseas as seeing eye dogs and another has been trained as an epilepsy alert dog here.
But I must say that his success has also not happened as a result of more training but by offering consistent guidance and rewards with real alerts. His confidence has grown. He knows what his job is and he enjoys what he does. And he has also formed a strong bond with his pack...
So, now that we have reliable and consistent alerting, my focus going forward is night alerting. I'm also starting to do 'interrupted play' games again to help him notice the scent cue whilst captivated by something he enjoys, like tug-of-war.
The game involves me waving the scent source in front of him when we're taking a quick pause from play, and with the toy behind my back along with the scent source, giving him the verbal cue to alert. But he is giving the alert before I have a chance to verbally cue him so he's totally focused on the scent regardless of the distraction.
These interrupted play games help with dependable day alerting but this technique is also found to be key in accomplishing reliable night alerts.
The 22nd October was a special day for our family...it was Bailey's first birthday. We helped him celebrate it by giving him a giant biscuit bone and lots of hugs and kisses...