Major Milestone - A Puppy Vest!

At only five months old, my brilliant Frito earned her puppy vest!


The main purpose of a puppy vest is as a public relations tool for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy program. Dogs are issued vests at different ages and levels of development varying with the dog's confidence and behavior. While wearing the puppy vest, the dog must be on his/her best behavior as they are representing (and advertising for) Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The dogs are also not allowed to "get busy" while wearing the vest, just as a guide dog does not "get busy" while in harness.

The regional manager for the NYC region informed that the following criteria must be met before NYC pups are awarded their vests:

• the dog must be housetrained, meaning no accidents in the house or when taking them on walks (i.e. the dog does not randomly pee while you are walking and gets busy when told)
• the dog must demonstrate good loose leash walking
  
• the dog must also demonstrate good house manners (all four paws on the floor at all times, no jumping on bed, & no counter surfing)
• finally, the dog must greet people appropriately (remaining in a sit when approached by people)

Frito excels at all of the above things, with only the occasional lapse where she forgets to mind her manners. She truly is a rockstar. I am crossing my fingers that this excellent behavior is maintained through her adolescence.

One of the great things about the puppy vest is the difference in reaction from people on the street. Prior to obtaining the vest, people would constantly stop Frito and me while we were walking down the street. Especially as a young puppy, kids and adults alike wanted to pet Frito - we could barely walk a block without someone stopping us. Additionally, other dog owners would gravitate towards us with their dogs, making it challenging for Frito to maintain her good manners. With the vest, people react in a completely different manner. When they see the vest, they maintain a respectful distance when passing us on the sidewalk and politely ask if they, or their dog, can greet Frito. With Frito behaving appropriately, I am able to educate the people who stopped me about the Guiding Eyes puppy program and hopefully Frito's excellent manners will encourage others to raise a puppy in the future.

Overall, having the puppy vest has been great for Frito and for me. Way to go, Frito!!