Re: guide dogs
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/26/2003 7:03:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
Aussies & collies are O-U-T (Although I find them incrediblty beautiful!).
I've had Weimaners for 15 years, and a viszla for two, so I'm cormfortable with
that personality type---and it would be my first choice. But Kristi said that
first time puppy raisers generally get a lab, a golden, or a lab/golden mix.
So I'm preparing myself for a retriever! <G> (Long-time readers know I'm not a
retreiver fan! <G>) But it's a relatively short commitment---and I'm sure I'll
be head over heels in love within 24 hours! <G>
On the second day, the pup (5 mo-old black lab) got excited and playfully
mouthed her arm, resulting in Lisa getting 3
Not just for guide dogs puppies---which is intensive---but for a regular old
dog. SO many people don't relaize that it's a *lifelong* commitment. I figure
*I'm* coming out EASY with only a year! <G>
Thanks for your take! I'm glad she's thinking a little harder about it! It's
a lot of work!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> How many members of your family want to be trainers? Which breed are youUh---that would be ME! <g> I'm not into thick double coat, so---for me---the
> hoping for?
>
Aussies & collies are O-U-T (Although I find them incrediblty beautiful!).
I've had Weimaners for 15 years, and a viszla for two, so I'm cormfortable with
that personality type---and it would be my first choice. But Kristi said that
first time puppy raisers generally get a lab, a golden, or a lab/golden mix.
So I'm preparing myself for a retriever! <G> (Long-time readers know I'm not a
retreiver fan! <G>) But it's a relatively short commitment---and I'm sure I'll
be head over heels in love within 24 hours! <G>
On the second day, the pup (5 mo-old black lab) got excited and playfully
mouthed her arm, resulting in Lisa getting 3
> stitches. Today is his third day with us, and I've been doing most of theYIKES! He doesn't inhibit bite? That would have me worried!
> handling since yesterday. Lisa has done some handling since the incident
> though. She does not want to be afraid of him. She was so worried that he
> would be dropped from the program for biting. (I don't like to call it biting,
> it really was a playful accident, not an attack - what would be a better
> word?) We have been told that he will be evaluated, but not necessarily dropped.
> It had already been noted that he does excessive mouthing.
> I'm glad that my daughter had the opportunity to try this for a weekendAnd I wish more people would do just that before making such HUGE commitment.
> before having to commit to a year or more with a pup. She may wish to look into
> it again when she is older, or not.
Not just for guide dogs puppies---which is intensive---but for a regular old
dog. SO many people don't relaize that it's a *lifelong* commitment. I figure
*I'm* coming out EASY with only a year! <G>
Thanks for your take! I'm glad she's thinking a little harder about it! It's
a lot of work!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle
>>>>>>He doesn't inhibit bite? That would have me worried!>>>>>>What does "inhibit bite" mean?
The family and group leader were aware that he was having a problem with mouthing. It was mentioned to me, but the significance didn't sink in until it became a problem :-(
*I* feel so terrible that it happened. The wound itself is not that bad, but stitches were traumatic. Plus, I can't help but feel it is my fault. If only I hadn't allowed her to be alone with the dog, even for just a few minutes... Well, I can only go forward (rewind! rewind!)
>>>>>But it's a relatively short commitment--->>>>>12 to 18 months a relatively short commitment? <g> You are so right though. So many people bring pets home when they really aren't prepared for the long term commitment on a 24/7 basis.
I hope you will keep us posted from time to time on your new (temporary) family member.
Mary Ellen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/26/2003 9:07:18 PM Eastern Standard Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
meant for a blind person can't be like just any pet, and they aren't all
going to make the cut. I don't think it is your fault.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> *I* feel so terrible that it happened. The wound itself is not that bad,But, if you are talking about a guide dog, don't they have to be 100%? A dog
> but stitches were traumatic. Plus, I can't help but feel it is my fault. If
> only I hadn't allowed her to be alone with the dog, even for just a few
> minutes... Well, I can only go forward (rewind! rewind!)
meant for a blind person can't be like just any pet, and they aren't all
going to make the cut. I don't think it is your fault.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pam Hartley
----------
people and will pull their punches even if they feel pushed into doing so.
A good solid stitches-making bite of a human being is something that has to
be actually encouraged and trained for, even in most enthusiastic
guard-candidate dogs of guard breeds. "Bite down hard on this person" is
against the Covenant for most sane dogs.
A five month old Lab puppy who knowingly bites down hard enough to rip skin,
including in "play mouthing", is not one that I personally would consider
for a guide dog. Depending on the dog, perhaps an experienced pet home
without young children, perhaps not.
Pam, former dog trainer, including service dogs
>From: "nellebelle" <nellebelle@...>It means that most dogs have an inborn "inhibition" to intentionally biting
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] Re: guide dogs
>Date: Sat, Jul 26, 2003, 6:03 PM
>
>>>>>>>He doesn't inhibit bite? That would have me worried!>>>>>>
>
> What does "inhibit bite" mean?
>
people and will pull their punches even if they feel pushed into doing so.
A good solid stitches-making bite of a human being is something that has to
be actually encouraged and trained for, even in most enthusiastic
guard-candidate dogs of guard breeds. "Bite down hard on this person" is
against the Covenant for most sane dogs.
A five month old Lab puppy who knowingly bites down hard enough to rip skin,
including in "play mouthing", is not one that I personally would consider
for a guide dog. Depending on the dog, perhaps an experienced pet home
without young children, perhaps not.
Pam, former dog trainer, including service dogs
nellebelle
Yes, he will have to be evaluated to determine his status in the program. I can't help but think that it will be our fault if he is dropped, because I should have somehow prevented the situation.
It was a "highly recommend" stitches as compared to a "must have" stitches, but it DID break the skin.
Mary Ellen
It was a "highly recommend" stitches as compared to a "must have" stitches, but it DID break the skin.
Mary Ellen
----- Original Message -----
A five month old Lab puppy who knowingly bites down hard enough to rip skin,
including in "play mouthing", is not one that I personally would consider
for a guide dog. Depending on the dog, perhaps an experienced pet home
without young children, perhaps not.
Pam, former dog trainer, including service dogs
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/26/2003 9:43:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
person at stake. The dog can still have a good future elsewhere.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> Yes, he will have to be evaluated to determine his status in the program.It was just as well that they found out now. There was the safety of a blind
> I can't help but think that it will be our fault if he is dropped, because I
> should have somehow prevented the situation.
>
> It was a "highly recommend" stitches as compared to a "must have" stitches,
> but it DID break the skin.
person at stake. The dog can still have a good future elsewhere.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/26/2003 9:42:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
program due to excessive aggression on this incident alone. No 5 month old pup
should do that much damage even with a play bite. I'm wondering if this dog
went through puppy assessment testing to determine how well it might work in the
program? An aggressive pup is going to show aggression at some point enough
to get your attention no matter what precautions you take - granted it might
take it longer to have an incident that grabs your attention but it's going to
occur. It definitely needs to be evaluated to figure out if it needs to go
into a home that works with aggressive dogs or whatever.
---Tammy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> Yes, he will have to be evaluated to determine his status in the program.I train dogs and I would definately withdraw this pup from the guide dog
> I can't help but think that it will be our fault if he is dropped, because I
> should have somehow prevented the situation.
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
program due to excessive aggression on this incident alone. No 5 month old pup
should do that much damage even with a play bite. I'm wondering if this dog
went through puppy assessment testing to determine how well it might work in the
program? An aggressive pup is going to show aggression at some point enough
to get your attention no matter what precautions you take - granted it might
take it longer to have an incident that grabs your attention but it's going to
occur. It definitely needs to be evaluated to figure out if it needs to go
into a home that works with aggressive dogs or whatever.
---Tammy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pam Hartley
A guide dog has to deal with a lot of situations that call for good
judgment. Unless I'm missing posts (yahoo has not been kind to me the last
few days), you've just acquired this 5 month old puppy recently?
If so, the "fault" is either in the dog's own temperament or in its earlier
training. Five month old puppies who have sound temperaments and have been
handled correctly no longer "mouth" people at all -- that's a baby puppy
trick that any decent trainer or breeder discourages firmly and early on.
Pam
----------
judgment. Unless I'm missing posts (yahoo has not been kind to me the last
few days), you've just acquired this 5 month old puppy recently?
If so, the "fault" is either in the dog's own temperament or in its earlier
training. Five month old puppies who have sound temperaments and have been
handled correctly no longer "mouth" people at all -- that's a baby puppy
trick that any decent trainer or breeder discourages firmly and early on.
Pam
----------
>From: "nellebelle" <nellebelle@...>
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] Re: guide dogs
>Date: Sat, Jul 26, 2003, 6:35 PM
>
> Yes, he will have to be evaluated to determine his status in the program.
> I can't help but think that it will be our fault if he is dropped, because
> I should have somehow prevented the situation.
>
> It was a "highly recommend" stitches as compared to a "must have" stitches,
> but it DID break the skin.
>
> Mary Ellen
> ----- Original Message -----
> A five month old Lab puppy who knowingly bites down hard enough to rip skin,
> including in "play mouthing", is not one that I personally would consider
> for a guide dog. Depending on the dog, perhaps an experienced pet home
> without young children, perhaps not.
>
> Pam, former dog trainer, including service dogs
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/27/2003 2:58:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
friends. They are/were the gd's of our friend Sarah, and during church, Julian would
take her dogs, first Perry, then Farley, and now Gerrin, out to walk, play,
and pee while Sarah chatted.
Perry was Julian's very close friend, and Julian was very sad when it was
time for Perry to retire to "just being a dog." He went to live with good friends
of Sarah's, and died a couple years after that. He was a VERY nice dog.
Farley was also a very nice dog, but not a very good guide dog. He was so
sweet, but Sarah went through hell with him, he was so distractable. They finally
went back to the school together, where the instructor took him out. She said
she was amazed Sarah lasted so long with him, because he was terrible!
Farley's childhood family were happy to welcome him back so he could just be a dog.
Gerrin is Sarah's current dog, and is working very well.
Someone wrote a neat picture book about Sarah and Perry with great
illustrations, called Looking out for Sarah. Check it out: <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0881066478/qid=1059293130/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/002-3984413-1804037?v=glance&s=books&n=507846">Amazon.com: Books: Looking
Out for Sarah</A>.
Kathryn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected] writes:
> I've been taking my 10yod to Puppy Pals meetings for 5 or 6 months. SheOur family, and particularly Julian, has had three very good guide dog
> learned about the guide dog puppy program when she was 8 and thought she would
> like to raise a pup. We have a guide-dog puppy with us this weekend while
> his "family" is on a short vacation.
>
> It is much more time consuming than even I thought it would be. By the end
> of the first day, Lisa said she doesn't feel ready to have a pup of her own.
> It takes a fair amount of strength to give proper corrections. Plus,
> someone needs to be paying attention to the dog nearly all of the time. This is
> definitely a family project!
>
> On the second day, the pup (5 mo-old black lab) got excited and playfully
> mouthed her arm, resulting in Lisa getting 3 stitches. Today is his third day
> with us, and I've been doing most of the handling since yesterday. Lisa has
> done some handling since the incident though. She does not want to be afraid
> of him. She was so worried that he would be dropped from the program for
> biting. (I don't like to call it biting, it really was a playful accident, not
> an attack - what would be a better word?) We have been told that he will be
> evaluated, but not necessarily dropped. It had already been noted that he
> does excessive mouthing.
>
> There are some aspects of the program that seem harsh - the puppies don't
> get to play in the same ways that other puppies do, for instance. They are
> lucky dogs though, because not very many dogs get to go just about everywhere
> their owners do.
>
> I'm glad that my daughter had the opportunity to try this for a weekend
> before having to commit to a year or more with a pup. She may wish to look into
> it again when she is older, or not.
>
> Mary Ellen
>
>
friends. They are/were the gd's of our friend Sarah, and during church, Julian would
take her dogs, first Perry, then Farley, and now Gerrin, out to walk, play,
and pee while Sarah chatted.
Perry was Julian's very close friend, and Julian was very sad when it was
time for Perry to retire to "just being a dog." He went to live with good friends
of Sarah's, and died a couple years after that. He was a VERY nice dog.
Farley was also a very nice dog, but not a very good guide dog. He was so
sweet, but Sarah went through hell with him, he was so distractable. They finally
went back to the school together, where the instructor took him out. She said
she was amazed Sarah lasted so long with him, because he was terrible!
Farley's childhood family were happy to welcome him back so he could just be a dog.
Gerrin is Sarah's current dog, and is working very well.
Someone wrote a neat picture book about Sarah and Perry with great
illustrations, called Looking out for Sarah. Check it out: <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0881066478/qid=1059293130/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/002-3984413-1804037?v=glance&s=books&n=507846">Amazon.com: Books: Looking
Out for Sarah</A>.
Kathryn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/26/2003 9:07:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
between 6-8 weeks old---taught to him by his siblings: if you bite too hard, we're
going to NAIL you BACK! So puppies learn to bite *gently*. Keep in mind that
this is a creature that technically could rip your flesh off your face! Plus
labs have been selectively bred to have *soft* mouths (to bring un-holey birds
back to the hunter).
bitten, but that they found out). As a service dog, this is serious, and
learning about it earlier saved the program big bucks and time. Oust him now, rather
than later. And the puppy's only getting bigger & stonger: the next time
could have been MORE severe!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> What does "inhibit bite" mean?That he doesn't bite hard enough to break the skin. It's usually learned
>
between 6-8 weeks old---taught to him by his siblings: if you bite too hard, we're
going to NAIL you BACK! So puppies learn to bite *gently*. Keep in mind that
this is a creature that technically could rip your flesh off your face! Plus
labs have been selectively bred to have *soft* mouths (to bring un-holey birds
back to the hunter).
> The family and group leader were aware that he was having a problem withDon't feel bad about the dog. I think it's a *GOOD* thing (not that she was
> mouthing. It was mentioned to me, but the significance didn't sink in until it
> became a problem :-(
>
> *I* feel so terrible that it happened. The wound itself is not that bad,
> but stitches were traumatic. Plus, I can't help but feel it is my fault. If
> only I hadn't allowed her to be alone with the dog, even for just a few
> minutes... Well, I can only go forward (rewind! rewind!)
bitten, but that they found out). As a service dog, this is serious, and
learning about it earlier saved the program big bucks and time. Oust him now, rather
than later. And the puppy's only getting bigger & stonger: the next time
could have been MORE severe!
> >>>>>But it's a relatively short commitment--->>>>>12-18 months vs. 12-18 years? Yes, it's relatively short! <G>
>
> 12 to 18 months a relatively short commitment? <g> You are so right though.
> So many people bring pets home when they really aren't prepared for the
> long term commitment on a 24/7 basis.
> I hope you will keep us posted from time to time on your new (temporary)You bet! I'm so excited!
> family member.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/26/2003 9:43:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
situation now would have only given him time to get bigger and stronger and
possibly do more damage! Don't feel bad. He wouldn't have made the final cut
anyway!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> Yes, he will have to be evaluated to determine his status in the program.But Mary Ellen, that's a GOOD thing! He *should* be dropped! Preventing the
> I can't help but think that it will be our fault if he is dropped, because I
> should have somehow prevented the situation.
>
situation now would have only given him time to get bigger and stronger and
possibly do more damage! Don't feel bad. He wouldn't have made the final cut
anyway!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/27/2003 4:12:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
KathrynJB@... writes:
how hard this is going to be for him---it would be good for him to
"know-somebody-who-knows-somebody" who actually has a guide dog---and read about her!
Thanks, Kathryn!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
KathrynJB@... writes:
> Someone wrote a neat picture book about Sarah and Perry with greatI'm going to have to get a copy! That would be great for Duncan. I realize
> illustrations, called Looking out for Sarah. Check it out: <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0881066478/qid=1059293130/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/002-3984413-1804037?v=glance&s=books&n=507846">Amazon.com:
> Books: Looking
> Out for Sarah</A>.
>
>
how hard this is going to be for him---it would be good for him to
"know-somebody-who-knows-somebody" who actually has a guide dog---and read about her!
Thanks, Kathryn!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle
Here is an update on the puppy whose teeth made unfortunate contact with my
dd's arm. Guide dogs decided to take the puppy away from the family that
was raising him. He is at the kennels in California, being evaluated. The
family was very angry about the way that GD handled the situation and has
stated that they will never have anything to do with GD again. This leaves
the local puppy raising club with only 1 pup, being raised by the leader of
the club. She has been told she will have to disband the club and transfer
her pup, because there can't be a club with fewer than 3 pups. The nearest
club is an hour away, on a route that is often icy and hazardous in the
winter. The leader said that if my daughter were to get a pup, they might
allow the club to continue. However, we are not ready to get a pup yet. I
feel we have a lot to learn before we commit to that and Lisa has also said
that she isn't ready. But if there is no local club, we won't have the
opportunity to attend regular meetings and learn enough to become ready.
I have a feeling that there is more information that isn't being shared with
me. It is clear to me that when you are raising a GD pup, it is not your
pup and the organization can decide to move the pup to another home. I
*think* that if raising a pup were something I really wanted to do, I
wouldn't give up because the first pup was taken from me. The leader says
that the family feels they were lied to - that at first they were told the
pup could stay with them, then they were called and told that the pup would
be taken immediately. This couldn't possibly be the first time that a GD
pup has broken someone's skin. Wouldn't you think that the organization
would have a policy of how to handle such situations? If so, wouldn't our
local leader be aware of this policy?
Mary Ellen
dd's arm. Guide dogs decided to take the puppy away from the family that
was raising him. He is at the kennels in California, being evaluated. The
family was very angry about the way that GD handled the situation and has
stated that they will never have anything to do with GD again. This leaves
the local puppy raising club with only 1 pup, being raised by the leader of
the club. She has been told she will have to disband the club and transfer
her pup, because there can't be a club with fewer than 3 pups. The nearest
club is an hour away, on a route that is often icy and hazardous in the
winter. The leader said that if my daughter were to get a pup, they might
allow the club to continue. However, we are not ready to get a pup yet. I
feel we have a lot to learn before we commit to that and Lisa has also said
that she isn't ready. But if there is no local club, we won't have the
opportunity to attend regular meetings and learn enough to become ready.
I have a feeling that there is more information that isn't being shared with
me. It is clear to me that when you are raising a GD pup, it is not your
pup and the organization can decide to move the pup to another home. I
*think* that if raising a pup were something I really wanted to do, I
wouldn't give up because the first pup was taken from me. The leader says
that the family feels they were lied to - that at first they were told the
pup could stay with them, then they were called and told that the pup would
be taken immediately. This couldn't possibly be the first time that a GD
pup has broken someone's skin. Wouldn't you think that the organization
would have a policy of how to handle such situations? If so, wouldn't our
local leader be aware of this policy?
Mary Ellen
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/5/2003 11:31:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
nellebelle@... writes:
Didn't the puppy already bite before? Weren't the family and GD aware that
there was a problem? Maybe the family is only taking the FIRST thing they were
told by GD (about the first bite) to heart---that they could keep the pup, but
that they would keep an eye on him.
A bite severe enough to stitch is serious---for ANY dog, but MUCH more so for
a service dog.
The first call may have been from someone that was immediately available, and
the second call AFTER a discussion of the situation.
My questions: *WHY* would they want a biter in their family? And why would GD
even consider a biter for the program? GD's interest is in a *service dog*,
NOT a bad pet. What caused this? Bad genes? Bad puppy raisers? Bad situation?
The pup MUST be evaluated---as well as the family.
It *could* be the first time a pup has bitten. These dogs are bred to have a
certain personality---biting is NOT an option. A biter could mean another
CLOSE look at their breeding program (especially THIS pup's sire & dam and
aunt/uncles/half-siblings/grands that might be bred), puppy-raiser "interviews",
training techniques, and/or policies.
It's very serious for them---GD. It's not worth the many hours and $$ that go
into each guide dog to risk problems like this.
And keep in mind that the leader is feeling the pinch too---she WANTS her
program to stay together. She may be feeling personally attacked and unable to
see clearly.
I would have no reason to believe there are biting problems with GD puppies
(more so with the families and how they were raising the pup). If there were no
policy before, there will be one now.
I'm guessing that if the PUPPY is found to be genetically "defective", the
family will be allowed to get another pup, if they are interested. If THEY are
found to be undesirable puppy raisers, it will be mutual and the program will
have nothing to do with them.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nellebelle@... writes:
> The leader saysI'm totally in the dark about the GD's guidelines and rules, BUT---
> that the family feels they were lied to - that at first they were told the
> pup could stay with them, then they were called and told that the pup would
> be taken immediately. This couldn't possibly be the first time that a GD
> pup has broken someone's skin. Wouldn't you think that the organization
> would have a policy of how to handle such situations? If so, wouldn't our
> local leader be aware of this policy?
Didn't the puppy already bite before? Weren't the family and GD aware that
there was a problem? Maybe the family is only taking the FIRST thing they were
told by GD (about the first bite) to heart---that they could keep the pup, but
that they would keep an eye on him.
A bite severe enough to stitch is serious---for ANY dog, but MUCH more so for
a service dog.
The first call may have been from someone that was immediately available, and
the second call AFTER a discussion of the situation.
My questions: *WHY* would they want a biter in their family? And why would GD
even consider a biter for the program? GD's interest is in a *service dog*,
NOT a bad pet. What caused this? Bad genes? Bad puppy raisers? Bad situation?
The pup MUST be evaluated---as well as the family.
It *could* be the first time a pup has bitten. These dogs are bred to have a
certain personality---biting is NOT an option. A biter could mean another
CLOSE look at their breeding program (especially THIS pup's sire & dam and
aunt/uncles/half-siblings/grands that might be bred), puppy-raiser "interviews",
training techniques, and/or policies.
It's very serious for them---GD. It's not worth the many hours and $$ that go
into each guide dog to risk problems like this.
And keep in mind that the leader is feeling the pinch too---she WANTS her
program to stay together. She may be feeling personally attacked and unable to
see clearly.
I would have no reason to believe there are biting problems with GD puppies
(more so with the families and how they were raising the pup). If there were no
policy before, there will be one now.
I'm guessing that if the PUPPY is found to be genetically "defective", the
family will be allowed to get another pup, if they are interested. If THEY are
found to be undesirable puppy raisers, it will be mutual and the program will
have nothing to do with them.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alan & Brenda Leonard
8/6/03 13:47:
seen them fully trained!), but I spent several years living with a woman who
bred and showed springers. One of her dogs bit someone quite lightly and
"by accident" as a puppy. She kept a record of the situation and was more
attentive to her training. It wasn't a big deal, first time.
Later, as an adult, she bit another dog, quite seriously, in a nasty fight.
She (the dog) had already been bred, and my friend spent a HUGE amount of
time contacting every owner of one of her pups, talking about any possible
problems they may have had, etc.
In the end, both the bitch (in every sense of the word) and several of her
pups who had shown inapporpriate aggressive behavior were put down. Rage in
springers has been a genetic problem before, in several of the well-known
bloodlines, and she wanted to make sure it was being bred out, not in.
life has many times told me how fabulous the folks at GD, California are,
and how people come from all over the US to get their dogs because of their
terrific reputation. GD may have that reputation in mind at the moment,
too. One gets that sort of reputation by being ultra careful.
I'm sorry that your family has had to be a part of this, because it sounds
like some of the other people in the program are directing their
frustrations, inappropriately, towards you. But from the GD folks' point of
view, a dog that bites is a serious liability, and they have to consider
everything.
brenda
> It *could* be the first time a pup has bitten. These dogs are bred to have aI can support Kelly on this. I've never dealt with guide dog puppies (only
> certain personality---biting is NOT an option. A biter could mean another
> CLOSE look at their breeding program (especially THIS pup's sire & dam and
> aunt/uncles/half-siblings/grands that might be bred), puppy-raiser
> "interviews",
> training techniques, and/or policies.
>
seen them fully trained!), but I spent several years living with a woman who
bred and showed springers. One of her dogs bit someone quite lightly and
"by accident" as a puppy. She kept a record of the situation and was more
attentive to her training. It wasn't a big deal, first time.
Later, as an adult, she bit another dog, quite seriously, in a nasty fight.
She (the dog) had already been bred, and my friend spent a HUGE amount of
time contacting every owner of one of her pups, talking about any possible
problems they may have had, etc.
In the end, both the bitch (in every sense of the word) and several of her
pups who had shown inapporpriate aggressive behavior were put down. Rage in
springers has been a genetic problem before, in several of the well-known
bloodlines, and she wanted to make sure it was being bred out, not in.
> Guide dogs decided to take the puppy away from the family thatBy the way, my blind friend who has had three dogs over the course of her
> was raising him. He is at the kennels in California, being evaluated.
life has many times told me how fabulous the folks at GD, California are,
and how people come from all over the US to get their dogs because of their
terrific reputation. GD may have that reputation in mind at the moment,
too. One gets that sort of reputation by being ultra careful.
I'm sorry that your family has had to be a part of this, because it sounds
like some of the other people in the program are directing their
frustrations, inappropriately, towards you. But from the GD folks' point of
view, a dog that bites is a serious liability, and they have to consider
everything.
brenda