- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Keir - Guide Dog and Hearing Dog (dual trained)
- Thread starter Boogie
- Start date
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
It comes with the job. It is the best job in the world, but saying farewell is part of it.
The second farewell isn’t the hardest. It’s a proud day seeing them working and, when they go with their trainer it’s a moment when you know they have bonded with someone else and are no longer ‘your’ dog. I never stop loving them and I think about them all every day and what they are doing.
I’m waiting and hoping to hear from Mollie’s new owner. They don’t usually get in touch straight away until the partnership is settled. I shall send Mollie a birthday card and hope that nudges them to get in touch. Mollie is 2 on the 29th of September.
The second farewell isn’t the hardest. It’s a proud day seeing them working and, when they go with their trainer it’s a moment when you know they have bonded with someone else and are no longer ‘your’ dog. I never stop loving them and I think about them all every day and what they are doing.
I’m waiting and hoping to hear from Mollie’s new owner. They don’t usually get in touch straight away until the partnership is settled. I shall send Mollie a birthday card and hope that nudges them to get in touch. Mollie is 2 on the 29th of September.
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Has their ever been one that you didn’t think you could give up?
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Keir doing his off kerb obstacle training yesterday - clever boy ??
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
That looks complicated! I'm guessing he has to wait for the road to be safe, then guide his person off the kerb and around?
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Exactly ??
Far too many people park on the kerb in the U.K. so Guide Dogs have this to do on a daily basis.
These obstacles are mock-ups on a private bit of road at Big School, they have all sorts of scenarios to practice on before they train for it in the ‘real’ world.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
It's mind-blowing really, what these dogs have to do. If my lot make a mistake in something they've been trained, the consequences won't normally be dire - the exceptions being things like recall or stop in extenuating circumstances. But, day to day, it just means they may not earn a piece of cheese!
For these dogs (who obviously have rather more structured planning than mine), a small mistake could have unthinkable consequences.
For these dogs (who obviously have rather more structured planning than mine), a small mistake could have unthinkable consequences.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Yes, but it never (very very close to never) does. That is thanks to Guide Dogs as an organisation and their incredible expertise and experience. Also many many dogs don’t make it. Of Kara’s litter of nine only six made it to working dogs - and that’s an excellent number.
The dog and owner work in partnership. The owners use their ears a lot (‘tho, of course, some dogs are for deaf/blind owners - now that really is mind blowing how much the dog has to do)
I’ve shared a video on Facebook of my friend’s Guide Dog, Fable. She wags the whole time she’s working. When out of ‘uniform’ she’s a crazy, loopy jumper up and mud monster!
My friend has a retired guide dog called Annie she's now 16 years old. Shes too frail for walking out much s still a really happy waggy Tailed girl. She loved her working life and is still enjoying her retirement. She's one of the most fun loving dogs I've ever met.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
He is gorgeous Mags , am so pleased that he is doing so well x
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Keir’s trainer lives on a narrowboat and he stayed with her last weekend. Here he is fast asleep after a busy day 
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
On his holidays with his trainer and friend Olivia
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Yay Keir update! 
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Marvellous news - I’ve had a call form Keir’s trainer and, all being as it is now, he’s going into Advanced training in November. That means they’ve got an owner in mind for him. He’s doing brilliantly and loves his guiding work. He wasn’t very keen on being with four dogs so he’s in the office with his trainer when they aren’t out working. He still plays and has free runs with Olivia, his favourite.
Good boy sweetheart - keep up the hard work and play lots xx
Here he is at his boarders, where he stays for evenings and weekends.
Good boy sweetheart - keep up the hard work and play lots xx
Here he is at his boarders, where he stays for evenings and weekends.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Awwww....was there one teeny little part of you that hoped he wouldn't make it Mags?
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
I want him to make it. It would be such a hard decision if he were to be withdrawn and offered back - I couldn’t continue to puppy walk as I would then have three at home a lot of the time plus the puppy.
I want him to go on to do what he was born for
Here’s another photo of him playing with another friend in training, Ted. He loves them one at once, but gets a bit stressed if he’s in with all three. His trainer thinks he’d be best placed in a one dog family.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
You are justifiably proud of him Mags x