Sierra's Service Dog Journey has Ended... - Page 2 - Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Forum Board - Dogs, Puppies, Photos, Training, Pictures, Rescue Forums

Fishdogs · 08-03-2009, 04:01 PM

By all means dont give up up thereapy work...many Therapy dogs don't start until the are older, and she will grow out of the nippy stuff...

Also - not all therapy dogs are right for all venues...a calm, couch potato might be great at a nursing home, but may not be as good at a womens' shelter where kids could use a dog to actually play with them. my guess is that he will excell at whatever you do, and that he will be the best buddy you guys could ever ask for.

you might look into Rally or Agility to reinforce the obedience and burn some excess energy...

oceancookie · 08-03-2009, 04:50 PM

Welcome to the world of Service dog school dropouts! lol Humphrey was TSE in training but was dropped for a surplus of pups and lack of money to put him (and quite a few dogs) into training. It's lovely having a well trained dog...and I know what you mean about all the special training going to waste...though...it's still fun to bring out his special commands on occasion (he knows left turn and "come and sit").

Congrats on your new permanant addition

marshhuntr · 08-03-2009, 10:31 PM

sorry to hear that, but it looks like you have a beautiful pup. You have my total respect, I do not see how you can raise a puppy and train it then give it away. I know its for a great cause... but it would break my heart. Hats off to you for your great work.

Toby'sMom · 08-04-2009, 07:58 PM

I'm sorry that she was dropped from the program after all of your hard work.

It must have been so dissapointing, yet a happy ending in other ways too! I always say - everything for a reason.

If she still has all that energy to burn, but you still want to do some type of service work with her - what about search and rescue? If she has high energy and is well trained, it may be a great match for her.

Good luck in whatever you do with her- even if you decide just to keep her a home dog and love her!

Ron AKA · 08-04-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishdogs

By all means dont give up up thereapy work...many Therapy dogs don't start until the are older, and she will grow out of the nippy stuff...

Thank you for your thoughts. No concern really about the nipping. That is the now distant past. More concern that she would be cold or aloof to strangers. She is slow to warm up especially to men, but it possibly could work with women. Will not strike this option off the list.

Ron AKA · 08-04-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceancookie

Welcome to the world of Service dog school dropouts! lol Humphrey was TSE in training but was dropped for a surplus of pups and lack of money to put him (and quite a few dogs) into training. It's lovely having a well trained dog...and I know what you mean about all the special training going to waste...though...it's still fun to bring out his special commands on occasion (he knows left turn and "come and sit").

You may be closer to the truth than you think. I probably will make a post on "Lessons Learned", or "Questions to ask before you offer to raise a service dog", after I think about it for a bit longer.

On the commands, yes there probably are going to be a few that are not used, like Left and Right. However if we do some agility it may help some. I find it works in navigating her slowly through the weave poles.

Ron AKA · 08-04-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby'sMom

If she still has all that energy to burn, but you still want to do some type of service work with her - what about search and rescue? If she has high energy and is well trained, it may be a great match for her.

Search and rescue may be an option. She seems to have some aptitude for it. We did a little bit of it in the service program as one of the possible services was for autistic child assistance, where the dog can be asked to find a lost child.

Ron AKA · 08-04-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshhuntr

sorry to hear that, but it looks like you have a beautiful pup. You have my total respect, I do not see how you can raise a puppy and train it then give it away. I know its for a great cause... but it would break my heart. Hats off to you for your great work.

We were prepared for the heartbreak of raising the pup to be given away for service. That was our deepest wish. However it was not to be, and I think the heartbreak of being rejected is much worse. Thank you for your thoughts,

ellenrho · 08-28-2009, 01:28 PM

I just adopted my boy, who was taken out of the service program. He is 2 years old, went through the pup prison program and then service dog training. He passed the training and was placed with a person, and then it was discovered that he had noise sensitivity, i.e. does not do well with airplanes and public transportation.
I felt much the same way, he has so much training and knows how to do so much....and he will probably not use much of it anymore with us, which is too bad (although we keep up on his commands as much as we can to keep him active). But on the other hand, I have a beautiful and well trained dog who I love.
I hadn't thought of a therapy dog, like someone else suggested. Maybe I'll look into that for him. His name is Warren, we adopted him one week ago today.

bett · 08-28-2009, 01:33 PM

when i adopted my boy, who also was dropped from the program, i was told and had to sign, that i wouldnt use him as a therapy dog.
so i too, have a magnificently trained dog.
lucky us!

kcnq1ot1 · 08-28-2009, 01:52 PM

I didn't know Sierra was out off the program. I was reading your blog but recently I couldn't look at it. At some point I feel sorry for you but I'm happy that you have her

It is nice to have such a wonderful dog.

Quasia Cutie · 09-11-2009, 03:49 PM

I'm sorry it didn't work out for Sierra. Thank you for putting in your time to try to train her though. It's such a wonderful opportunity, and I do hope you don't give up with it.

It was bittersweet the day I got the call that Quasia was being dropped out of the GEB breeding program due to medical issues, but now we have the best, sweetest dog. It was nice to be able to leave Quasia behind with my parents when I left for college, so that I didn't leave them alone (though it's probably good right now that my townhouse doesn't allow dogs or else I'd steal her back). At least you'll have a great dog to spend time with.

Deanna · 10-26-2009, 11:11 AM

Hi Ron, Deanna here. Sorry, I have been busy and just catching up. I am saddened to hear that Sierra was 'cut' from the program, and through no fault of her own. I am, however, glad that you took her to be a family pet. Not sure about how good it is for a dog to move from place to place, home to home, family to family. I like the idea that she is staying with you if she is unable to perform service work

Minnie, the Canadian Guide Dog for the Blind foster yellow lab I am raising, is now just over 9 months old. I am happy to say that the nipping disappeared around the 5 month mark, with only the accidental nip here and there now. I suspect, however, she will not make the 'grade' for several reasons: (1) she is extremely social, with both people and other dogs; (2) she chases 'things' that blow in the wind (leaves, papers, plastic bags) and no amount of 'leave it' / 'come' has eliminated it, one must constantly be on the 'watch' and anticipate (doesn't bode well for a visibly impaired person); (3) she never developed the Pavlovian response to her whistle (for feeding), rather she looks at you like you're an idiot and walks away ! (4) she has a 'passion' for balls, any kind, so if you walk by children playing etc be ready to have your arm yanked or a 'proactive' leave it / come constantly as you go passed ! (5) she is extremely playful; (6) loves to take our socks (she doesn't do much with them other than carry them around and then deposit them in some other spot), this I just can't seem to get 'out of her system' but she will 'leave it' / 'drop it' when commanded. I dunno know, just doesn't sound like stuff that would be good with a visually impaired person; yes, she is only 9 months old ...

She, also, has had several 'medical issues'; some would not preclude her from being a Guide Dog (such as canine cough, though it was a rather nasty virus which resulted in her vomitting from the intensity of the coughing) but she has issues with her ears (constant digging at them, only stops with 2x daily cleaning with OTICCALM), dermatits type issues (in several places on her body).

Good luck with Sierra ... I'm sure you will give her a great home and she will love it.

ian408 · 10-28-2009, 01:00 AM

Sounds like Sierra gets a fresh start in your home as a pet (and maybe a night or two on the bed

).

Thank you for making the effort to raise her and for providing her a warm and welcoming home.

08-03-2009, 04:01 PM	#16
Fishdogs House Broken Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 178	By all means dont give up up thereapy work...many Therapy dogs don't start until the are older, and she will grow out of the nippy stuff... Also - not all therapy dogs are right for all venues...a calm, couch potato might be great at a nursing home, but may not be as good at a womens' shelter where kids could use a dog to actually play with them. my guess is that he will excell at whatever you do, and that he will be the best buddy you guys could ever ask for. you might look into Rally or Agility to reinforce the obedience and burn some excess energy... __________________ PK Lichtenberger and the Fishdogs... Prize My Eyes Blackfin Tuna Fishdogs Famous Flounder, RN, CGC, TDI UCH Fishdogs Yellowtail Snapper, RN, CGC In Memory... Mako, Orca, & Bonita

08-03-2009, 04:50 PM	#17
oceancookie House Broken Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 114 My Mood:	Welcome to the world of Service dog school dropouts! lol Humphrey was TSE in training but was dropped for a surplus of pups and lack of money to put him (and quite a few dogs) into training. It's lovely having a well trained dog...and I know what you mean about all the special training going to waste...though...it's still fun to bring out his special commands on occasion (he knows left turn and "come and sit"). Congrats on your new permanant addition __________________

08-04-2009, 07:58 PM	#19
Toby'sMom Senior Dog Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 879	I'm sorry that she was dropped from the program after all of your hard work. It must have been so dissapointing, yet a happy ending in other ways too! I always say - everything for a reason. If she still has all that energy to burn, but you still want to do some type of service work with her - what about search and rescue? If she has high energy and is well trained, it may be a great match for her. Good luck in whatever you do with her- even if you decide just to keep her a home dog and love her! __________________ Toby, RN, RL1 (CGC, TDI) Leah (CGC)

08-28-2009, 01:33 PM	#25
bett Senior Dog Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: baldwin long island new york Posts: 17,458 My Mood:	when i adopted my boy, who also was dropped from the program, i was told and had to sign, that i wouldnt use him as a therapy dog. so i too, have a magnificently trained dog. lucky us! __________________ betty

09-11-2009, 03:49 PM	#27
Quasia Cutie Senior Dog Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,479	I'm sorry it didn't work out for Sierra. Thank you for putting in your time to try to train her though. It's such a wonderful opportunity, and I do hope you don't give up with it. It was bittersweet the day I got the call that Quasia was being dropped out of the GEB breeding program due to medical issues, but now we have the best, sweetest dog. It was nice to be able to leave Quasia behind with my parents when I left for college, so that I didn't leave them alone (though it's probably good right now that my townhouse doesn't allow dogs or else I'd steal her back). At least you'll have a great dog to spend time with. __________________ Jamie and Quasia Book count 2009: 50/50

08-03-2009, 10:31 PM	#18
marshhuntr House Broken Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 19	sorry to hear that, but it looks like you have a beautiful pup. You have my total respect, I do not see how you can raise a puppy and train it then give it away. I know its for a great cause... but it would break my heart. Hats off to you for your great work.

08-28-2009, 01:28 PM	#24
ellenrho Puppy Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 8	I just adopted my boy, who was taken out of the service program. He is 2 years old, went through the pup prison program and then service dog training. He passed the training and was placed with a person, and then it was discovered that he had noise sensitivity, i.e. does not do well with airplanes and public transportation. I felt much the same way, he has so much training and knows how to do so much....and he will probably not use much of it anymore with us, which is too bad (although we keep up on his commands as much as we can to keep him active). But on the other hand, I have a beautiful and well trained dog who I love. I hadn't thought of a therapy dog, like someone else suggested. Maybe I'll look into that for him. His name is Warren, we adopted him one week ago today.

08-28-2009, 01:52 PM	#26
kcnq1ot1 Senior Dog Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Türkiye Posts: 1,831 My Mood:	I didn't know Sierra was out off the program. I was reading your blog but recently I couldn't look at it. At some point I feel sorry for you but I'm happy that you have her It is nice to have such a wonderful dog.

10-26-2009, 11:11 AM	#28
Deanna House Broken Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa Posts: 22 My Mood:	Hi Ron, Deanna here. Sorry, I have been busy and just catching up. I am saddened to hear that Sierra was 'cut' from the program, and through no fault of her own. I am, however, glad that you took her to be a family pet. Not sure about how good it is for a dog to move from place to place, home to home, family to family. I like the idea that she is staying with you if she is unable to perform service work Minnie, the Canadian Guide Dog for the Blind foster yellow lab I am raising, is now just over 9 months old. I am happy to say that the nipping disappeared around the 5 month mark, with only the accidental nip here and there now. I suspect, however, she will not make the 'grade' for several reasons: (1) she is extremely social, with both people and other dogs; (2) she chases 'things' that blow in the wind (leaves, papers, plastic bags) and no amount of 'leave it' / 'come' has eliminated it, one must constantly be on the 'watch' and anticipate (doesn't bode well for a visibly impaired person); (3) she never developed the Pavlovian response to her whistle (for feeding), rather she looks at you like you're an idiot and walks away ! (4) she has a 'passion' for balls, any kind, so if you walk by children playing etc be ready to have your arm yanked or a 'proactive' leave it / come constantly as you go passed ! (5) she is extremely playful; (6) loves to take our socks (she doesn't do much with them other than carry them around and then deposit them in some other spot), this I just can't seem to get 'out of her system' but she will 'leave it' / 'drop it' when commanded. I dunno know, just doesn't sound like stuff that would be good with a visually impaired person; yes, she is only 9 months old ... She, also, has had several 'medical issues'; some would not preclude her from being a Guide Dog (such as canine cough, though it was a rather nasty virus which resulted in her vomitting from the intensity of the coughing) but she has issues with her ears (constant digging at them, only stops with 2x daily cleaning with OTICCALM), dermatits type issues (in several places on her body). Good luck with Sierra ... I'm sure you will give her a great home and she will love it.

10-28-2009, 01:00 AM	#29
ian408 House Broken Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 39	Sounds like Sierra gets a fresh start in your home as a pet (and maybe a night or two on the bed ). Thank you for making the effort to raise her and for providing her a warm and welcoming home.

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