I have been here for one week now. I have to admit I was nervous at first this being my first time as a full time handler. We are settling into a routine now though and I am feeling much better about my ability to do this.
I picked up the dog's names again quicker than I thought I would. Learning the morning and evening routines gave me the most anxiety. I like to know the schedule of events ahead of time. It just calms me. But once those routines were learned I realized I really had nothing to worry about.
Beside projects that Jaye needs help with during the day, the same thing needs to happen every morning and every evening. I like that.
On non-training days I let Sami out to pee because she is in the basement with me and her pups. Around 7 I swap the dogs around which means I tie up the ones that have been loose at night and let loose the ones that were tied up. This is all within their respective kennels. Then I get frozen meat and put it in a bucket of hot water to have for the evening meal.
The evening meal happens at 5. I add kibble to the bucket of thawed meat soup, throw on my coveralls and head out to the yard.
Before entering each kennel with the food I have to go in and make sure they are all on their tie outs to limit the chaos. By now they know food is on its way and are all going crazy.
I scoop out each dog their portion and all is quiet in the dog yard. Now I grab a pooper scooper and make my rounds. All the dogs are either laying next to or on their houses watching me clean up their mess. I'm sure they get some gratification out of this show.
Rinse the buckets, check the water, untie the ones that can have play time and go take some ibuprofen.
I'll get into training days next time.
