Six Guide Dogs and one puppy! We met up in a big park for a chat and a walk. The dogs were amazing! So steady, confident and sensible in harness and LOOPY off lead! They hared and hoolied - definitely work hard/play hard dogs! Lots of good role models for Twiglet They had bells for free running and it was amazing how each owner knew their dogs by the unique sound of his/her bells. I'm in the red top and the lady next to me with the black dog, Riley, has only had him for 15 weeks. He is amazing and already leads her and her two children (3 and 5) to school, playgroup, everywhere - incredible. The lady next to me on the other side is deaf/blind so her dog, Kit, is dual trained and keeps her safe in the house and out and about. These are the stories and people who inspire me to cope when the pups leave me to go to school and their new lives. Twiglet was really good. I didn't need to keep her on lead at all as she kept her paws down even 'tho there were four children under 6 there. She played really well with the other dogs, but stayed near me when they ran further than she felt comfortable. Her recall was 100% which is great for only 18 weeks in such a dog/people busy time. She slept all day after we got home!
Absolutely gorgeous! Twiglet is a little star and all the other dogs are marvels. They are the lifeline for their owners and do so well. x
How lovely for you to be able to meet the end result of all the training. And Twiglet already sounds very good. There are several people around here with guide dogs and I think of you whenever I see them.
Thank you so much all of you It really is the best job in the world. How could it not be with a new pup to look forward to every summer? I am asking for a fox red, a brindle or a choccy next time and I have nearly persuaded OH that we might have a boy! (I want something different as I don't want so many yellow Lab/GR girls that I forget each one's specialness) I also have Good News. Twiglet has a new Best Friend. Her brother!! (Who she hated with a passion 'till now) suddenly all is forgiven and forgotten. We walked to the pub to meet Rossi and his puppy walker, the pub is half way between out homes. As we walked up the road they were sitting outside. Normally I have to stop Twiglet growling and snarling at him (!) but this time, as we approached, I realised her demeanor was totally different. Wag, wag, wiggle body licky face 'I love you sooo much' body language. He was overjoyed. So this time our challenge + cappuccino was to keep them from playing under the table. Hurrah! We may brave a play date in a week or two!
Aww it's so nice that you got the opportunity to see the end result. Such a wonderful opportunity to make such a difference for someone. Twiglet sounds just marvellous!
Twiglet is gorgeous and looks so grown up...but not to forget gorgeous Tatze and give her some admiring too,she is a very special dog as well ,helping the pups to learn x
Yes, Tatze had a special job these past two weeks. Twiglet became sensitive to big trucks and fast cars, trying to hide behind me. My supervisor suggested we walked Tatze in front of her so that she could observe Tatze's lack of reaction. It worked! Now we are working on pigeon distraction, which Twiglet has in spades - help!!
