Thank you all who sent me your advice, support and stories. I no longer feel alone. You guys are awesome and I am grateful to have you all as fellow Labrador friends ! I couldn't feel better w/o your help today. Being new to this site; and my 1st posting for concerns and help....you guys to the rescue ! I appreciate all the reply's and look forward to using this site for help and friends. CARES, Tiffany
Glad you're feeling better Can really make all the difference just to know you're not alone and that others care.
I feel the same way about this forum, I'm pretty sure my family is bored of me talking dog all day long by now so it's nice to go here and talk labs My mother has no interest at all to talk about my Millie since all she want to talk about is her cat breeding of Abby cats which I got no interest in haha. I do hope you stick to your training and even if it feels like nothing works you will wake up one day and realize your dog grown up to be amazing.
Our goal with Beebe is Therapy Certification and find a trainer who can certify for Service Tasks for our son, Riley. We were on a wait list for 4 1/2 years for a service dog. We were "accepted" in Feb. 2014. Applied July 2012 and they say, 12-18 months after acceptance....well counting that we are 28 months out, with no light at the end of the tunnel for our Service Dog. We even talked to them about Riley's changes and possible Deep Brain Stimulation this fall and the need for a dog. Riley has CP, Dystonia, heart/lung conditions, unilateral blind-deaf, scoliosis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, anxiety and social phobias and more that go with all these. Wheelchair bound and his life is having more difficulties....so we asked to be considered soon/sooner....nope and told us; there are others ahead of him. So we researched many areas, breeders and owner training for therapy and service. I bit off more than I can chew; but will persevere. I want this for Riley. THANKS for your help...I will need advice and support.
I am sure once you get through this puppy stage your dog and your son will have a wonderful bond so keep going with all you are doing - the early time you put in training really pays off. I didn't have all this great advice with my last lab who was gorgeous but not particularly well behaved! I am enjoying the rewards of all the good advice on this board. It's a great community and you will not feel alone with any of your problems. And it does get better!! Each week you will see change so hang in there!! Sam and Mole
Wow good luck. I am sure with time and patience you will reach your goals with Beebe and you know the guys on here are always ready with advice and sympathy. Your son and puppy will be the best of friends I am sure.
Wow, you certainly do have your hands full. Maybe Mags (@Boogie) can offer you some advice on early training techniques, since she's a puppy walker for Guide Dogs. Do you have someone to help with the service dog training aspects?
Glad your new forum friends have made you feel better, here is a great place to come when you are struggling a bit and also to celebrate your successes when they come....and they WILL as you embark on this project :: Very best wishes to you and your family x
Tiffany from personal experience with my aunt who is Quadriplegic amongst other conditions, her 2 labs give her so much joy and purpose! They have made such a difference in her life and are her best friends. Yes, the puppy period is very tiring and sometimes we end up feeling defeated at the end of the day, but I hope once you get through the puppy period and puppy becomes better trained he will be the most loyal and wonderful service dog and best friend to your son. This forum is a place to come whenever you need a shoulder to cry on or want to share updates/good news too! It has been helpful for all of us on here and I am glad you found comfort yesterday in hearing you are definitely not alone!
So glad you found us! We are always here for advice, sympathy and support! It's so sad that the wait list is so long for service dogs...it just shows what a need there are for them. Keep persevering with your pup, you will get there in the end with patience and training.
The puppy stage will pass and I sure you will see a difference over the next few months. I have spinal injuries and my girl (Harley, nearly 3) knows when I'm having a bad day and will snuggle up in the chair with me. She sniffs my neck and seems to know. I work with children with additional needs - autism, spinal bifida, speech and language delay etc and often take Harley to work with me with certain children and she has really helped their confidence, behaviour and social needs. I haven't done any specific training around this but am looking into it as she seems to be a natural. I look forward to hearing about how you all get on
Hi Tiffany, I am sure with training, patience and lots of time you will get there with Beebe and she will make a great dog for your son. Like Naya I had the privelige of working for many years with pre-school children with special needs ranging from autism, downs syndrome, blind, deaf, children with many other disabilities and life threatening conditions, also children with challenging behavioural needs and I know how much a dog brings to these children's lives as our Manager used to bring her boy in for theraputic visits You have a lot on your plate and I wish you lots of luck and best wishes, of course we are all here when the going gets tough but also to share the many successes you will have with Beebe xx
Tiring each day; I think I tell my husband every day, "this is so hard, I feel like I am neglecting my son's care to care for Beebe." I feel torn with feelings like that. He is having a hard time adjusting to her "wild side". I am hoping for a better balance in the days ahead. LOTS more work with giving up care and more work to get Riley cared for....feed him; gate her up or crate her, shower time; can't keep my eyes on her---again her time to get her set for that time. OH MY...may be I will burn more calories. LOL
Puppies are super hard work, even without a child to care for! It does get better, in time. Try to reward her whenever she's being quiet and settled, so she learns it's rewarding to be calm for a while. This will stand you in good stead as time goes on.
