Continuing Education – Independence Dogs Austria

Public Presentation of “Independence Dogs Austria” and a multi-day seminar for assistance dog handlers and their service dogs

08.09.2021-12.09.2021

It was a great couple of days. Luckily the weather was with us all the way and our local township was supportive as well, ready to provide shelter if needed. The opening was cheerful and the service dogs amazed the police dog trainer that attended with their excellent discipline.

Getting ready to enter the train station in Gleisdorf with all the teams lined up and showing the sidewalk. Then after a half hour ride, leaving for the city at Graz main train station

The group of assistance dog teams waiting patiently for the right tram to arrive at Jakominiplatz in the center of Graz, after walking down the pedestrian street “Herrengasse” with its bifurcation of trams. They are on their way to “Murpark”, a major shopping mall, where there then was a whole obedience training unit.

The trainer Maria Gerstmann directs the guide dog and his handler to move around obstacles at the camping site and to show the stairs made of pallets. He then continues up them into a Semi trailer and is instructed to explore the space ahead. This meant to go to the end of the interior of the trailer. As there is no way forward at this point, the guide dog leads his owner back to the entrance point. Praise for good work is essential.

The guide dog refuses to continue after it becomes clear to him that the way he came up into the semi truck no longer works for the team. The other option leads to a precipice. The handler is intensely tuned into his guide dogs actions and searches for the problem the dog is showing him by using his mobility cane.

Campfire lullaby after a very long day in the city

Our training area was lined by tents for those adventurous enough to camp out. And of course we had had a camp fire and roasted marshmallows, an amazing schnapps tasting and even sang some songs.

The last day, several teams ventured through the nearby picturesque ravine to a pop-up water hole at the end of the trek.

It is wonderful to see how the mobility support and guide dog, who is a dog trained for his handlers multiple disabilities, support her as she loses her balance in the ravine.