Latest posts for the topic "We have a new addition"

We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:27:39 GMT

Sorry Admin, I will, I promise you bring this round to a snow theme....., but look who arrived today.....

We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:30:08 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Sorry Admin, I will, I promise you bring this round to a snow theme...

Dave, that's terrible... when you said you were getting a new fur hat for this season, I didn't think you were going to grow one! :shock:

Re:We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:32:20 GMT

He is gorgeous Dave..........but I am still scared of them.

Re:We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:36:30 GMT

You definitely don't want to see my fur hat! And I would die for a thatch like that!

They are both Golden Retrievers, would you believe, our third and fourth guide dogs.

And there will be a snow theme....

Re:We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:42:22 GMT

RoseR wrote:He is gorgeous Dave..........but I am still scared of them.

How did you know it was "he", Rose? :oops:

The older one is a she, the best dog in our group, and has been just so easy to train. I took her to the Edinburgh Festival on Friday, went round the National Gallery. Set her down, dropped the lead, and went walkabout round the gallery, and she never moved.

The young one is just a bundle of fun.

Re:We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:00:58 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:

RoseR wrote:He is gorgeous Dave..........but I am still scared of them.

How did you know it was "he", Rose? :oops:

The older one is a she, the best dog in our group, and has been just so easy to train. I took her to the Edinburgh Festival on Friday, went round the National Gallery. Set her down, dropped the lead, and went walkabout round the gallery, and she never moved.

The young one is just a bundle of fun.

Never thought of Golden Retrievers for guide dogs, always tend to think of labradors.
Many, many years ago I was a housekeeper for a Lord and Lady and lived in a flat at the top of their country pad. They only used the place at weekends so I looked after their golden retriever during the week. He was such a good dog, used mainly as a gun dog for their shooting parties. On the basis that he was so good a friend had a distant relative of the dog, he turned out to be a monster, had to go to doggy school to learn to behave, improved a bit but was always a nightmare.

Re:We have a new addition

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:33:20 GMT

When the GDA changed from bringing in GD stock to controlling their own breeding stock, the out come improved from 45% acceptance to 75% acceptance.

The best general breed is a labrador cross retriever, they have good characteristics. Pure labs are very strong willed, (Our first was pure black lab, he could have qualified for the Mafia!) He did qualify.
Our second was a goldenlab x retriever ~ she was a good dog, and is working with a blind person in Edinburgh.
While my OH, who is the driver in this programme, says she is happy to take what is offered, I have made it clear that my preference lies with retrievers. So GD3, a golden retriever, is perfection, she would down/stay/come to whistle at 8 weeks. Pretty confident she will qualify.
Just starting all over again with GD4!
Incidentally, statistically, Alsations are the best dogs. The problem is that they tend to be one man dogs, really loyal. Prior to qualifying, GDs generally go through at least five controllers, prior to their working placement.

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:32:01 GMT

Oooh such a cutie :D How can you bear to hand them over?

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:02:32 GMT

I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:12:39 GMT

Aww, they're gorgeous and it's great to know they'll make such a difference to someone's life. :D How long do they spend in training before they move on to their new homes?

Haven't spotted the snow theme yet.... :lol:

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:14:05 GMT

Tony_H wrote:I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

Not a fan then Tony?

We have a yellow lab, he's a complete fruit cake. Would never make the grade for any kind of training, unless sausages are involved. He's just turned 2 and still steals socks and pants, chews my furniture and thinks the back garden is a race circuit. Wouldn't change him for the world.

They are gorgeous dogs, baby is extremely cute.

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:20:25 GMT

NellyPS wrote:

He's just turned 2 and still steals socks and pants, chews my furniture and thinks the back garden is a race circuit.

From my experience, they don't get any better with age. My Jack Russell would insist on bringing me shoes when I sat watching TV - the problem was, they were never mine and never a pair! :lol: Loved her to bits though. :D

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:31:09 GMT

Tony_H wrote:I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

That must be a nightmare for Mrs H - is it just dogs or does any type of fur set off her asthma? One of my best friends is allergic to fur and he has an awful time - it doesn't even need the presence of the animal as I gave him a lift in my car (which must have had stray horse hairs in it) and his eyes streamed and itched for days (though still not as bad as an asthma attack.) Funnily enough, his opinion of horses is now similar to yours! )

Cats aren't always the saints you make out thought - I've had many a kitten try to shin up the curtains, and especially the Christmas tree! :lol:

In defence of some horse riders, a lot of us would rather not be on the roads as it's not particularly safe and extremely annoying for the drivers (I can see things from both sides). Unfortunately, unless you live in the middle of nowhere the options are a bit limited. I make a point of not going out when it's busy, sticking to the verges where possible, avoiding narrow roads completely and try to only use the roads to get to bridleways etc.
What does make my blood boil is the idiots (on both horses and bikes) that insist on either riding two wide or riding up the middle of the road. Add to that the fact that they are often in dark coloured clothing (at dusk) and on blind bends and you've got a recipe for getting squashed and a horrific accident. Oh, and it gives the rest of us a bad name! :twisted:

Anyway, back to guide dogs.... :D

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:36:05 GMT

bandit wrote:Oooh such a cutie :D How can you bear to hand them over?

Firstly, you know it is a working dog, and what the pupose of training is. We have regular emails and the odd phone call from the blind person.

Secondly, having an overlap does make the parting a bit easier.

You are right though, it isn't easy.

Except for the first guide dog,~ he would have qualified as a leader in the Mafia. :twisted:

We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:40:48 GMT

Lynn_D wrote:Aww, they're gorgeous and it's great to know they'll make such a difference to someone's life. :D How long do they spend in training before they move on to their new homes?

Haven't spotted the snow theme yet.... :lol:

Just over a year with us, then about five months at next stage training at the Forfar centre. At the end of this, we get to see them work, and spend an afternoon with them.

The dog then goes for advanced training, that could be anywhere, but ours have been in Edinburgh. About five months.

Then 2 weeks bonding with the blind person, 2 weeks in an hotel with the bp, then 2 weeks at the bp's house, learning the house, the routes to shops, work, vet etc.

About a couple of years in total.

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:31:27 GMT

Lynn_D wrote:

Tony_H wrote:I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

That must be a nightmare for Mrs H - is it just dogs or does any type of fur set off her asthma? One of my best friends is allergic to fur and he has an awful time - it doesn't even need the presence of the animal as I gave him a lift in my car (which must have had stray horse hairs in it) and his eyes streamed and itched for days (though still not as bad as an asthma attack.) Funnily enough, his opinion of horses is now similar to yours! )

Cats aren't always the saints you make out thought - I've had many a kitten try to shin up the curtains, and especially the Christmas tree! :lol:

In defence of some horse riders, a lot of us would rather not be on the roads as it's not particularly safe and extremely annoying for the drivers (I can see things from both sides). Unfortunately, unless you live in the middle of nowhere the options are a bit limited. I make a point of not going out when it's busy, sticking to the verges where possible, avoiding narrow roads completely and try to only use the roads to get to bridleways etc.
What does make my blood boil is the idiots (on both horses and bikes) that insist on either riding two wide or riding up the middle of the road. Add to that the fact that they are often in dark coloured clothing (at dusk) and on blind bends and you've got a recipe for getting squashed and a horrific accident. Oh, and it gives the rest of us a bad name! :twisted:

Anyway, back to guide dogs.... :D

Other things set her off, but its mainly dogs. It actually isnt the hair that sets off athsma, its their saliva. Certain cats can do it also when they start washing themselves. She appears to be immune to our cat though. I know what you mean about cats being mischievous but they dont destroy furniture, pooh everywhere (except in other peoples gardens apparently) or demand physical activity.

As for the horses thing, I still think horses should be banned from roads altogether. They were designed for soft surfaces, thats where they should stay. If you live in a town, go out to the rural countryside to ride one, if you have to ride one of course. The arrogance of horse riders really gets to me, like you are obliged to stop, slow down, make room, etc. I think its probably got something to do with the fact that most people who have horses also have too much money (bit of a generalisation I know), and therefore think they are automatically more important than the rest of us. A bit like the people who drive Jags and Mercs at 69mph in the outside lane of motorways. Aaaaarrgghhhh. I want a sticker made up for my car saying "I beep at horses" or "I dont slow down for horses".
GET OFF MY ROAD!!!

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:08:52 GMT

Tony_H wrote:
The arrogance of horse riders really gets to me, like you are obliged to stop, slow down, make room, etc. I think its probably got something to do with the fact that most people who have horses also have too much money (bit of a generalisation I know), and therefore think they are automatically more important than the rest of us. A bit like the people who drive Jags and Mercs at 69mph in the outside lane of motorways. Aaaaarrgghhhh. I want a sticker made up for my car saying "I beep at horses" or "I dont slow down for horses".
GET OFF MY ROAD!!!

I wish on the money front - you probably earn a lot more than I do! :D There are a lot of people who think they own the road (in cars, on bikes as well as on horses) and I'm not surprised so many motorists get p*****d off. I've been so tempted to beep at these idiots, but would never forgive myself if it led to an accident (though in most cases, it's no more then they deserve). I hope I don't annoy too many people on the roads I ride on as bar one very short section, it's pretty rural and access roads so we only meet an occasional car (which is usually on its way to a stable yard anyway). I'd rather stick to an arena than risk heavy traffic and the wrath of irate motorists! :(

Anyway, completely off topic again. :oops: It appears Mr F. Drift is back. :lol:

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:16:59 GMT

Tony_H wrote:I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

Well my furry pile of cr*p brought a baby bird in to day, that was pretty smelly.... :shock:

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:21:51 GMT

Dogs are quite a delicacy in Korea :D :D

Re:We have a new addition

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:50:42 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

Tony_H wrote:I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

Well my furry pile of cr*p brought a baby bird in to day, that was pretty smelly.... :shock:

We dont have any pets at the moment but next doors cat is madly in love with my Hubby, spends all his time with him. The other night there was a commotion outside the patio doors, next doors cat with a frog. Hubby shot out and was jumping all around the patio trying to rescue the frog.....it looked hilarious. Would have been far easier just to pick the cat up. :lol:

Re:We have a new addition

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:02:01 GMT

Gorgeous goldie pup :-) By the way, Tony H, horses were on the roads before cars and you ARE obliged to slow down etc because it's the law. And no, we don't all have pots of money, me especially )

We have a new addition

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:23:28 GMT

Lynn_D wrote:Aww, they're gorgeous and it's great to know they'll make such a difference to someone's life. :D
Haven't spotted the snow theme yet.... :lol:

Oops, Thanks for reminding me Lynn, before Admin notices. I don't want my name down in that black book, it takes ages to get it removed again. :wink:

So, these were GDs2 & 3. Errm ........Powder Hounds? :P

Re:We have a new addition

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:06:12 GMT

Very envious Dave of your guide dogs. I applied earlier this year to walk a guide dog, but we are not in an area where applications are currently being considered.
I had a long chat to the co-ordinator when I applied and I think I would have been suitable. Oh well.
Maybe one day.
They look like lovely dogs.

Re:We have a new addition

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:52:19 GMT

That is rather unfortunate Dids, but I guess that your location must be the issue. When you haveyour first pup, you receive heaps of support, visits every couple of weeks. This has little to do with dog training, but is Dids-training! Our supervisor travels up to 45 miles to cover the area. You need to be within travel distance.
On the other hand, once you have proved your worth, you rarely receive home visits, but around once a month, your dog will be checked against specific skills, eg, train & bus travel, going through doors, swing doors, up/down stairs & lifts, coping with distractions ~food on the ground~otherdogs~butcher shops. In a public place the dog should be able to sit/down/stay, and you can both walk away, and the dog will remain where it is left until you return.
The only issue we had with our current dog was an abject fear of going in one of these glass walled lifts that are outside of buildings. I just worked her day after day, until she accepted it. Now, she just looks quite interested when we do this!
My point is that once you are past the first year or two, you can travel to meet the supervisor, thus reducing their travel time.
Persevere.

Re:We have a new addition

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:53:50 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Lynn_D wrote:

Tony_H wrote:I dont like dogs. My mate has always had Labradors, and they come close to being likeable, but they give my other half bad athsma.
I dont like the fact they ruin your house and make everything smell. Something cats dont do.
I dont however dislike dogs as much as horses. Those things are vile and are only good for making glue. Why do people insist on riding them on the roads???? :evil:

That must be a nightmare for Mrs H - is it just dogs or does any type of fur set off her asthma? One of my best friends is allergic to fur and he has an awful time - it doesn't even need the presence of the animal as I gave him a lift in my car (which must have had stray horse hairs in it) and his eyes streamed and itched for days (though still not as bad as an asthma attack.) Funnily enough, his opinion of horses is now similar to yours! )

Cats aren't always the saints you make out thought - I've had many a kitten try to shin up the curtains, and especially the Christmas tree! :lol:

In defence of some horse riders, a lot of us would rather not be on the roads as it's not particularly safe and extremely annoying for the drivers (I can see things from both sides). Unfortunately, unless you live in the middle of nowhere the options are a bit limited. I make a point of not going out when it's busy, sticking to the verges where possible, avoiding narrow roads completely and try to only use the roads to get to bridleways etc.
What does make my blood boil is the idiots (on both horses and bikes) that insist on either riding two wide or riding up the middle of the road. Add to that the fact that they are often in dark coloured clothing (at dusk) and on blind bends and you've got a recipe for getting squashed and a horrific accident. Oh, and it gives the rest of us a bad name! :twisted:

Anyway, back to guide dogs.... :D

Other things set her off, but its mainly dogs. It actually isnt the hair that sets off athsma, its their saliva. Certain cats can do it also when they start washing themselves. She appears to be immune to our cat though. I know what you mean about cats being mischievous but they dont destroy furniture, pooh everywhere (except in other peoples gardens apparently) or demand physical activity.

As for the horses thing, I still think horses should be banned from roads altogether. They were designed for soft surfaces, thats where they should stay. If you live in a town, go out to the rural countryside to ride one, if you have to ride one of course. The arrogance of horse riders really gets to me, like you are obliged to stop, slow down, make room, etc. I think its probably got something to do with the fact that most people who have horses also have too much money (bit of a generalisation I know), and therefore think they are automatically more important than the rest of us. A bit like the people who drive Jags and Mercs at 69mph in the outside lane of motorways. Aaaaarrgghhhh. I want a sticker made up for my car saying "I beep at horses" or "I dont slow down for horses".
GET OFF MY ROAD!!!

Finally AMEN 8)

Re:We have a new addition

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:25:50 GMT

I am going to start a campaign:

Keep Horses Off Our Roads or KHORR (pronounced "cor")

Vile creatures.