Phase 4: Building Work and Traffic Introduction

Formal Harness Training
The dogs now have full freedom to make decisions and some mistakes with normal guidework responses. When errors occur, instructors continue to show the dog the correct answer before confusion sets in. Instructors still pattern challenging and advanced guiding decisions and responses. Dogs are worked past open parking lot areas and difficult travel lines to further establish responsible line stability. Working past challenging animal and food distractions continues.

Instructors often “spot” each other (for safety), and practice short blindfold sessions with their respective dogs. This gives them valuable information regarding what guidework behaviors are strong and what need further development in an individual dog. Practice routes that follow these blindfold sessions focus on development of needed areas and reinforcement of established responses.

After preliminary testing, more extensive work inside buildings begins.

Body Handling Acceptance
Continues as in Phase 3. New handlers are added to assess the dog’s comfort and willingness to accept body handling from strangers.

Physical Agility Programs
Continues as in Phase 3.

Obstacle Course Progression Continues
An overhead clearance is any obstacle that is above the dog’s head. Dogs are initially taught to target this type of clearance. The dogs are then taught to look up for overhead clearances through a graduated approach (teaching bar starts low, and is gradually raised as dog gains proficiency).

Escalator Introductions and Training - Boarding/Riding/Exiting
Dogs are taught how to safely step onto moving stairs (escalators), acquire a safe stance, ride the escalator in a stationary position, and exit safely with the appropriate energy.

NOTE: Puppies are NOT to ride escalators.

Notable Accomplishment - Traffic Introduction
First, during a series of exposure lessons, dogs are introduced to traffic safety problems and shown how to respond to them via leash and collar cues. Dogs learn to stop, hold their line when stopped, and back up on their line when a vehicle gets too close. They are also introduced to increasing their pace for any vehicle that approaches too close to the rear of the team.

Socialization
Extra socialization assignments are done with individual dogs as needed. Some examples: harness or surface sensitive dogs; dogs that are reluctant to relieve on leash; or dogs that have questionable kennel behavior that needs “proofing” or further development in a “house” (office or dorm) setting (dogs that vocalize on tie down or crate, chewing propensities, etc.).

Canine welfare training technicians (CWTTs) focus on additional relaxation sessions for all dogs as training progresses. These sessions could include one or several of the following activities: community run time, kennel enrichment programs, grooming, individual play sessions, office time at staff desks, and relaxing campus walks.