GUGP Season 1 - Week 58 - Ricki Evaluation

[marlismolitor]

I'm sure she will do fine. I remember being in training with Gable in Portland, and even Gable had to be reminded that birds are off limits. He tried to beeline for them on one of our routes. The instructor, had me stop, take Gable through a series of basic commands in front of the birds. We then continued with our route.

The other day we were downtown Vegas, and when I took Gable to a place for relieving, we were surrounded by pigeons. He handled it like a champ.

[mattmovies101]

What is that guy on the bike doing at 1:32 ? lol

[TheSchoen32]

i think ricki will improve and i have yet another question when ricki goes away are you ganna get another guide dog pup and if so are you still going to do episodes for that different dog? thanks!

[GuideDogManiac]

@TheSchoen32 Right no we are planning to get another puppy and possibly make episodes with her, but we will most likely take a little break in between pups :)

[GuideDogManiac]

@TheSchoen32 Right now we are planning to get another puppy and possibly make episodes with her, but we will most likely take a little break in between pups :)

[greeenpro2009]

Dear Ricki,

I understand. I get distracted ALL the time. No one understands!!! Just keep the faith and keep your focus.

I'm pulling for you!

Sincerely,

greeenpro2009

[Lucchina75]

@greeenpro2009 ..Hehehe.. Same here!!!

[CrazyForPianosGirl]

another lil thing to keep faith in, xThe world's greatest test of courage is to admit defeat without losing HEART! even if ricki doesnt make it, SHE'LL BE THE BEST LIL GUIDE DOG IN OURS! <3 AGREE?

[keeptubing]

lol, she really gets distracted by the pigeons...

[CrazyForPianosGirl]

Ricki WILL be a great guide, if you believe that ricki will fail, keep on believing, and SHE WILL! DONT LOSE HEART!

[GuideDogManiac]

@CrazyForPianosGirl we haven't given up yet, we are going to work really hard these next couple of weeks :)

[CrazyForPianosGirl]

BEST SHOW I"VE SEEN IN YEARS! REALLY! has ricki met her dad before? I know she's met her mom, but is it possible to see Ricki's dad, that handsome golden retreiver from canine for independence? if its possible PLEASE make an episode about it!

[wibrle]

Another great episode! Can't wait to see the next episode. :D I know this is off topic, but does anyone else think it's kinda funny how youtube thinks "Employee Evaluation Strippers and Groupies" is related to GUGP? lol

[SaskView]

@wibrle I see Ricki isn't the only one with distraction issues!

[wibrle]

@SaskView LOL! You caught me! XD

[mustangshivers007]

great show once again ................super

[3BricksHigher]

Why can't you let her just 'catch' a bird or squirrel? (A fake one)... then she wouldn't be so opt to trying again if she saw what it was. As long as the decoy didn't taste like a nylabone you're in the clear :)

Serious about the decoy though... Worked for my dog with my daughters fried chicken. (Damn, she just punched me in the arm!)

[GuideDogManiac]

@3BricksHigher Ricki is also a little crazy for stuffed animal :)

[flaper41]

I think if she does something wrong you should tell her no, because from what I see, your giving her positive reinforcement when she does something right, but if she does something wrong you don't punish her.

You obviously know more about dog training than me, so sorry if I'm wrong.

[GuideDogManiac]

@flaper41 Ricki is a little sensitive and really wants to be right, punishing her may upset her and make her more anxious because she doesn't like to be wrong.

[Nextraker]

Our cats eat birds for breakfast... every morning I find a half eaten birds on the front door and feathers all over the place.

[canaandogatlas1]

atlas, gets distracted by birds also. Thats a hard one!

[Jockart53]

good luck on the distractions

[Nakedance]

I'm glad they're giving you both a little more time to help Ricki with her distractions.

She is sweet, smart, and caring dog as you already know.

[YOURstalker16]

Ricki's what, 16 months now? Distractions like those are pretty difficult to get them over.. especially with so little time. She is still a great dog though. You have trained her well. Where will she go ..if she doesn't make it? Will you be keeping her, giving her to a friend, or letting GDB place her?

 will you be getting another puppy right away?

[GuideDogManiac]

@YOURstalker16 we are still trying to help her get over this. We are not quite sure where she will go if she doesn't make it as a guide, I'm hoping she will maybe get looked at for dogs for diabetics or other service dog work.

[YOURstalker16]

@GuideDogManiac ..My puppy club leader told us last week that GDB was having some issues about giving their dogs to other organizations (the other places were getting upset ..like they though GDB was playing favorites or something) so GDB has temporarily stopped giving dogs to other service work until they (GDB) can figure out the technicalities and get some written agreement or something. ..if she doesn't make it as a guide or other service dog, then at least she'd make a great pet

[ofdeafblnd]

I am glad they are giving you more time to work with Ricki she is a great dog and I would be honored to be matched with her. It look like IMHO that she does not understand why she is supposed to leave such wonderful things alone. With my last dog one fall because they were not paying attention cured her of the distraction. This was something the trainer recommended so maybe when she has put another few weeks under her belt she will grow out of it- wishing you all the best!

[GuideDogManiac]

@ofdeafblnd Thanks for the support :)

[matttchapman]

Ricki will do whatever she is destined for.

[TheWigglebutt]

I wish you and Ricki the best. I see that it will probably take time but hopefully she will pull through. If she is not able to be a guide dog, what will her future turn into?

Take care!

[GuideDogManiac]

@TheWigglebutt  we are not sure what Ricki's options are yet, but we are hoping that she might be able to work as a different type of service dog if she doesn't make it as a guide.