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Getting "Busy"

Guiding Eyes Puppies are house broken using the crate technique—at least in 1997 they were.  Today, they come house broken to you; what a nice package.  Then, it only took about two weeks for the new kid on the block (Irwin) to figure out the routine:  He needs to do his business, he whimpers from inside the crate, I quickly respond, take him outside to the paper with the rock, and say “Get Busy;” he does get busy, and I reward him with playtime.  We play outside for a short time or play inside for a shorter time,  and it’s back to the crate.  Works for everyone! This prepared the guide dog to be told when to "get busy," which is necessary for his blind partner.

Getting Busy While at Work

As part of my job at the college, I visited schools and student teachers (teachers-in-training).  Usually Irwin

stayed behind with his good buddy, the department’s administrative assistant, Karen, while I went out.  He

slept most of the day, or responsible college students/friends who had  agreed to a stringent list for caring for Irwin,

came by and took him for a run or walk.  I had a card with the regulations regarding care for a puppy-in-training;

college students were eager to spend time with this delightful dog and willingly shared my vision of explicit,

exemplary training rituals. Of course, Irwin made best friends easily.

                                                                                  Periodically, and once Irwin was well trained, he went with

                                                                                  me to several schools for short visits— schools where the

                                                                                  teachers and principals had extended a clear, open invitation. 

                                                                                  I considered this part of Irwin’s education and preparation for

                                                                                  his future work. One never knows where a puppy might land.

                                                                                              Middle school students are always eager to help and are quite competent.  One warm

                                                                                  afternoon,  a young, responsible eighth grader offered to take Irwin outside between classes.

                                                                                  I figured it might be a good idea, given

                                                                                  it had been some time since his last break.  

                                    “When you take him outside,” I explained to her, “you need to say 

                                     'G-e-t   b-u-s-y,'”  spelling  the words rather than saying them. 

                                     I didn’t Irwin to be confused.  She motioned that she understood

                                     and guided him through the busy corridors and out the door. 

                                     A few minutes later she returned with a quizzical look on her face.       

                                     Irwin seemed like he was crossing his legs and wincing. 

"Something wrong?” I inquired.
  
“I took him outside, he walked around in circles, just like you said he would, but he never

went to the bathroom.”   I checked with her if she had given him the command.  “Yes,”

she replied, “several times. I told him to G-E-T   B-U-S-Y,   just like that.”

We all laughed, realizing that she had spelled the phrase rather than saying it. 

“Irwin is smart, but he cannot spell yet.  Try again.”  She laughed with us, turned, and returned outside with Irwin, willing to try again.

The young “trainer-in-training” returned within minutes with a relieved puppy and a big smile to announced that her venture had been successful. “Irwin g-o-t  b-u-s-y!” she declared.

Check earlier adventures for Irwin in  Episodes 1-4. 

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Next time:  Irwin  Meets a "balloon" or three.

Irwin is Smart, but He Cannot Spell.

INTRODUCTION:    In 1997, in New York, a kind, 40-year old man, Willie, had a heart attack.  When he awoke, he was blind.

In 1997, a few miles north of New York City, puppy Irwin was born blind. In about two weeks, he awoke to sight, just like puppies do. His nine Labrador puppy brothers and sisters were soon enlisted in a special training program for exceptional puppies. They would study to become Guide Dogs for the blind, someone like Willie. In time, Irwin and Willie became partners, and Irwin shared his sight and insights with him. Irwin seemed to generate miracles ~  for me, for those around me, and for Willie and his family.

Irwin came to my home in early July to begin his training.  Irwin cleverly made himself at home and showed us all his intellectual prowess by opening his crate locks (Episode 2)  and doors! (Episode 3).

In the fall, we all went back to school, including Irwin.