Day 11: Still learning!

Today, Mike and I went in early to work with one of the trainers on seizure work. We wanted to find out what we should be doing since Si's seizures have been in "remission" for almost a year now. We don't want Abbott to lose the ability to detect and alert for seizures which the trainers at 4 Paws have developed in him, because we don't know when Si's seizures will return. Jeremy said we should practice (to Abbott, this is "playing the seizure game") daily at home until Abbott gets really good, then we can ease off to weekly. So, in case you have forgotten, the way we play the game is first by getting him to bark on command, then bark on command while we are sitting on the floor, then bark on command while we are laying on the floor, then bark on command while we are making Si's seizure movements on the floor, then bark (with no command) while we make the seizure movements on the floor. That sounds like a lot, but Mike, with Jeremy's instruction, was able to get through that whole protocol today, to the point where he just had to make the seizure motion and Abbot would bark. Each time Abbott barked for the seizure motion, he got the creme de la creme treat, Bil-Jac.

There are a few things we will need to remember and do to make this skill transferable to Si. We will both play the part of the seizing Si, and we will probably invite a few others to play the game, too. The more people Abbott plays it with, the better he will understand that "Everybody knows this game!" so when Si has a real seizure, he will bark like he is playing the game, too. Another important aspect is playing the game in the places we want Abbott to detect seizures.For us, that will mean playing on Si's bed. During the day, we are usually close at hand to see if Si is seizing. Night time is one of the times we really want to depend on Abbott for seizure alert. So we will play the game on Si's bed, in the dark. That way Abbott gets used to feeling the movement and identifying it, as opposed to just seeing it. Once we get home and get in a pattern of successful sessions, we will start to leave the Bil-Jac in the fridge, so that Abbott learns not to expect it immediately after his bark alert. That will be more realistic to a seizure situation. Finally, we have to keep the training sessions fun, so once he correctly barks at the seizure movement, we will do it again maybe six more times, then move on to another activity.

Here is Mike, practicing with Abbott today:

Another tip for helping dogs learn to alert at night: place a delicious lump of aromatic Bil-Jac on the ground a few inches from their nose while they are sleeping. Some dogs may take up to five minutes to sniff it and wake up, whereas other will quickly sniff and gobble. We want Abbott to "sleep with one nostril open" so he can smell any impending seizures, so this is something simple we can practice.

The dogs also worked on human food distraction training today with a bowl of tomato soup. Abbott did so well!

And Si furthered the training with some fruit snacks:

We learned a lot about flying with dogs today. Several of the families flew here, so their dogs are getting their first airplane ride on the way home. I am really glad we were able to drive!

Once we get home, we will have a period of time where the dog is getting acclimated to our home and yard. It's important that we keep up the training we have done at 4 Paws right when we get home, because the dogs will be wondering, "Do I have to obey at this joint or not?" They need to know that the rules absolutely apply. We should allow the dog to walk free on the leash and sniff around the whole house when we get there. Then we should practice heeling, sits and downs, just to get the message across that this place is under the same management as 4 Paws and our hotel was. We should also practice the place command, distractions, behavior disruption commands and seizure work.

Finally, Jeremy said not to go around doing a "Welcome Home, Abbot" tour the first month. Give the dog time to get into a rhythm at your home and with your child. Everyone will get a chance to meet him, but both your family and the dog need time to settle in.

Si continues to do well with tethering and bonding with Abbott:

They both were exhausted by the end of the day-- Si fell asleep shortly after this picture was taken.

And here's one last picture of the buddies hanging out:

Tomorrow morning is our certification test for public access with a service dog (Abbott). Tomorrow afternoon is graduation. Lots of important events that hopefully end with all 4 of us at HOME SWEET HOME. All prayers and positive thoughts for a smooth and successful day are very appreciated!
Thanks for reading!