Surviving Distractions

Yesterday was Coach's second Southeaster Guide Dog puppy meeting and his first Saturday meeting.  I was very proud of him as he didn't seem at all distracted by the other dogs.  The first part of the meeting was obedience training and we worked on distractions.

Coach is sitting on the left of the photo and staring at the little boy and girl in their swimming outfits as they walk by on the right of the photo.

A mom and her two small children walked by and AC Carolyn co-opted them to be living distractions, and had them walk back and forth in front of the dogs.  Coach did get up out of his down stay the first time they walked by, but the second and third time, he ignored them.

Coach's face is in the foreground and the red and black broom is in the background.

Carolyn then came by with a broom which she used to sweep near the dogs.  Coach was completely disinterested in the broom.  I found this funny, because when there is a broom that is leaning up against a wall doing nothing, he finds it irresistible!

Coach is looking toward the red and black broom that is angling toward his face from the right of the photo.

Even when she swept right by his face, he still didn't care about the broom.

Carolyn is bending down and holding out some silk flowers to Coach who is leaning out to sniff them.

Next were assorted silk flowers that were banged together and flapped appealing in the wind.  He did manage some interest in those and got up to see what they were about.  

Coach is in the bottom of the frame and is staring at a little red wagon  being dragged by  at the top of the frame.

Wagons though, boring.  Moving on....

Coach is lying down all curled up and someone's hand is upon his head.  Coach's tongue is hanging out.

After obedience training, we went on a walk that included a wooden bridge.  Coach then got to meet some of the new puppy raisers in the group.  He maintained his calm demeanor the whole time.  Good boy!

Coach is lying down in the foreground.  Liz, a black lab, is lying down with puppy raiser Brian behind her and golden retriever Gail is off to the left.

Everyone was pretty tired and thirsty.  

A game of puppy tic tac toe is in progress.  Coach has just been place on the corner square and is looking up at me.

We had time for a couple of games of puppy tic tac toe and then it was off to the air-conditioned cars and home!