I had my home visit from one of the trainers from Medical Detection Dogs today. Really nice lady although she won't be our trainer she really put us at ease. My neighbour Denise is also interested in socialising a dog so she talked to both of us together. There are some interesting key differences with regular puppy training - they have to only toilet on command & never allowed to toilet on lead. Also they aren't too concerned if the dog is a little bit anxious when left. These dogs will be with their partner 24 hours a day and must want to be at their side constantly. The last few weeks before I the dog is placed he'll need to sleep next to me and not leave my side in preparation for the next stage of training. When they asked what sort of dog I'd prefer I said Chocolate lab so I've got a full set! ;D ;D We'' have to wait for a little while though - I'm going on holiday the first week of September so unless they decide to put an older dog with me it'll be after then.
Re: home visit from MDD Well done to you Carole , this sounds like a real challenge and I really admire you for taking it on . How long will the dog have to sleep next to you for ? I think that would be the stumbling block for me , not that I would mind but my husband might How old will the puppy be when it comes to you ?
Re: home visit from MDD Kate perhaps I should have made clear - next to me in a dog bed not under the quilt I don't have a man to complain, well not right now but who knows maybe puppy power will mean it does become an issue It's just the last few weeks that the sleeping upstairs thing happens, not sure I could cope if it was full time and Rusty certainly wouldn't be amused! They've told me that they'll find an easy going dog so as not to compete with my two. Strong minded puppies they put in homes without other dogs or small children as they demand more attention. You can tell them how old you can cope with, I've agreed to take one as young as 8 weeks if necessary but don't mind older. Denise my friend is going to do older dogs as her rescue Springer is not good with very small dogs/puppies. Sometimes they get dogs from rescue centres or from other charities. For example dogs that are too inquisitive or lively for GDBA can be perfect for MDD. This was the case with Shirley - little video about Shirley here and Coco the rescue lab here
Re: home visit from MDD Crying laughing here Carole , I really did think you meant in the bed ;D ;D ;D My imagination was running wild at the very thought And then thinking of something the size of Sam lying between me and Paul , oh dearie me Am just going to look at the links and calm down
Re: home visit from MDD Oh , crying real tears now Carole , what amazing dogs , Shirley is fantastic , how clever to change someones life for the better and how wonderful for you to have an early part in shaping this
