Hello everyone. I have never ever joined a forum before but since I brought Honey home I think I will need this very much! She is a beautiful 15 week old golden lab but no Honey yet. In fact my husband is convinced we brought a wild animal home which we first need to tame before we can train! Some days are very good days and some days I say goodbye to treasures like my rosebushes, or my fairy lights or my fingers. We got Honey with the aim to train her as a therapy dog as all three my children are autistic. We also have an ever patient staffy called Bella and she is just such a wonderful mummy to Honey. I am so thankful for this site to learn as mich as I can!
Welcome to the forum from Holly and me. I love the picture of Honey - she looks so tiny and fragile. The first few weeks can be stressful while Honey starts to learn the rules. There is loads of good information about puppy training on the website, and plenty of experienced trainers on this site who can answer questions. I think its a lovely idea training Honey as a therapy dog. I've never do that, but several people on the forum have experience of PAT and may be able to offer advice.
Welcome from me Helen, Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. Honey looks so gorgeous I wish you all the luck in the world with your Therapy training. I have four children, my third child has High Functioning Autistism, he is now 19 years old and at University so I know how stressful life can be at times. My dog Hattie is also a Pets as Therapy dog, we go into a Hospice and Hospital wards every week which everyone, staff, family and patients just love and she brings so much into their lives. xx
Welcome from me and my big yellow boy Pongo in South Wales! I sympathise with the rose-bushes. Pongo showed great enthusiasm as an amateur gardener when he was little...he has lost interest now Whereabouts in the UK are you? Rosie PS if that is Honey in your avatar, she is GORGEOUS
Thank you for the encouragement! Whether Honey has the correct temprament remains to be seen but both her parents are therapy dogs so I am hopeful!
Thank you, I am in Kent. Yes, it is her in the pic but she is older now, that was about 10 weeks. I have no idea how to upload a picture of her as she is now or I would have done that. Honey loves landscaping without my permission! My hydrangeas, roses and bulbs seem to be the favourite. I like the name Pongo it sounds very mischievous
Wow I am so glad your son was able to go to uni I hope he is very happy there. My three are also high functioning but need specialist schooling. Our dogs are the only living beings that gets hugs - I think our Bella and Honey are the most hugged dogs on the planet! If I find the time my plan is also hospices and hospitals. Perhaps specialist schools. I have to say I got Honey when I thought things have settled re school etc. but it was not the case so sometimes having her feels a bit overwhelming. Today, however, for the first time ever she sat on my lap for longer than 10 seconds and without biting me! She actually bit her own paws and nails instead. Sitting like that overlooking my garden was very peaceful indeed.
Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie from Manchester UK Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's four years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab who is eight months old. .
Pongo most determined bit of landscaping was with our little water feature. It just wasn't quite right. He worked pretty hard on it for a few weeks. (Hope this video link works....) https://www.dropbox.com/s/15j9hs49ika918g/VIDEO0014_01.mp4?dl=0
My 10 year old black lab Sky is a Pets as Therapy dog. I just knew she had the right temperament to help people. She passed her assessment and I was so proud of her (still am).
It's such a great feeling isn't it? when your dog passes the assessment Temperament is everything. I am hugely proud of Hattie and all she achieves. She has been to a funeral, Christmas Lunch, been to the Volunteers Tea Party, sat with Chemotherapy patients and just makes everyone smile. On the dementia ward lots of people don't know what's happening but sometimes someone will say "hello Hattie" which makes my day and the Nurses. xx
Hi and welcome to you and your family. My girl is nearly 4 and is called Harley. She's not had formal training, but I have taken her to work a lot over the past 3 years as I worked with a lot of children and teenagers, some with behavioural issues or complex families or had additional needs such as autism, ADHD and mental health issues. Harley is amazing with all the kids I've worked with and she really helped the young people to talk, engage in positive group activities such as dog agility or a game of football. The difference she made to a lot of children over the years is huge. Unfortunately I've changed jobs, but still work for the same organisation so have arranged a fun family day in the summer so the kids can come and see Harley. I hope Honey gives you as much back as I know your children will get from her.
Oh my! Hours of waterfun. This video really made me smile and it looks oh so familiar. I took Honey out last night around 11 and she just HAD to go for a swim in her paddling pool. Such goofy pups.
Thank you very much. My children are already reaping huge benefits from her presence. I hear them laugh which is wonderful. Did any of the kids you worked with ever hurt her? I am a bit worried about that as I know from my children's school that some of the children can struggle with anger issues and can be quite demonstrative. Which is why I may rather go to hospices and hospitals. All this of course far into the future.
The worst thing that happened was one kid pulled her tail as she walked away. Harley stopped, looked around then carried on walking away. They found her relaxing and enjoyed playing with her as well as sitting and smoothing her. I'm glad your kids are already getting benefits from her.
