Assistance dogs
Discussion
Just after Christmas I applied to Canine Partners to be considered for a dog.
I've met several owners and they've all told me how great they are, although it shouldn't be entered into lightly.
They can do some amazing things and the help I'd like is generally picking up dropped items and fetching things like the phone. Currently the human members of my family do this and tbh there is some resentment, particularly from the kids!
They can also help in getting up, turning in bed, getting undressed and dressed, loading the washing machine, carrying things etc. Infact the list is virtually endless providing you're willing to put the effort in.
Anyway, just before our holidays, I went for an assessment day at their centre in Leicestershire. There I met several wonderful dogs (at different stages of training) and learnt a lot during a very enjoyable day.
They use mainly labadores and retrievers although they also train labradoddles (although they aren't so easily trained and tend to be quite rare with a long waiting list). If I had a choice I'd have a retriever although they match a dog abilities to a humans needs, so I might not end up having a choice.
What really impressed me was there walking on the lead. I'm used to dogs who wrap themselves around your legs but if you're on a scooter or wheelchair its vital they don't- for their safety and yours. They all walked really well and happily obeyed any commands. They work for treats and, although I seemed to go through a lot, they weren't greedy or grabby.
You don't get to choose a name obviously, but they generally seem fairly ok, although I did hear of one called Sandra which I really wouldn't like
The dogs cost around £20k to train which the charity pays for. You pay for food, insurance and vets bills.
At the end of the dogs working life you can choose wheather to keep it as a family pet, have a new "partner", say goodbye or both the first two.
They always own the dog and fully support you in adjusting to having a new "assistant".
They are also trained to respond to specific commands. If I'm honest, I found this a bit tricky as, although simple, they weren't what I was used to
The things that are concerning me a bit is my daughters ability to understand it wouldn't be a pet, I need to build a working relationship with it and this means, at first at least, all contact should be through me exclusively. Also it would mean a big change in our life's. Children also caused this but brought wonderful benefits, so I'm willing to do this.
Tomorrow I have to phone them to confirm I still want to go on the list. Unfortunately this is around 16 months,.
After my day I'd have one tomorrow!
I've met several owners and they've all told me how great they are, although it shouldn't be entered into lightly.
They can do some amazing things and the help I'd like is generally picking up dropped items and fetching things like the phone. Currently the human members of my family do this and tbh there is some resentment, particularly from the kids!
They can also help in getting up, turning in bed, getting undressed and dressed, loading the washing machine, carrying things etc. Infact the list is virtually endless providing you're willing to put the effort in.
Anyway, just before our holidays, I went for an assessment day at their centre in Leicestershire. There I met several wonderful dogs (at different stages of training) and learnt a lot during a very enjoyable day.
They use mainly labadores and retrievers although they also train labradoddles (although they aren't so easily trained and tend to be quite rare with a long waiting list). If I had a choice I'd have a retriever although they match a dog abilities to a humans needs, so I might not end up having a choice.
What really impressed me was there walking on the lead. I'm used to dogs who wrap themselves around your legs but if you're on a scooter or wheelchair its vital they don't- for their safety and yours. They all walked really well and happily obeyed any commands. They work for treats and, although I seemed to go through a lot, they weren't greedy or grabby.
You don't get to choose a name obviously, but they generally seem fairly ok, although I did hear of one called Sandra which I really wouldn't like
The dogs cost around £20k to train which the charity pays for. You pay for food, insurance and vets bills.
At the end of the dogs working life you can choose wheather to keep it as a family pet, have a new "partner", say goodbye or both the first two.
They always own the dog and fully support you in adjusting to having a new "assistant".
They are also trained to respond to specific commands. If I'm honest, I found this a bit tricky as, although simple, they weren't what I was used to
The things that are concerning me a bit is my daughters ability to understand it wouldn't be a pet, I need to build a working relationship with it and this means, at first at least, all contact should be through me exclusively. Also it would mean a big change in our life's. Children also caused this but brought wonderful benefits, so I'm willing to do this.
Tomorrow I have to phone them to confirm I still want to go on the list. Unfortunately this is around 16 months,.
After my day I'd have one tomorrow!
Did the charity say that your daughter couldn't treat the dog as a pet? I think naturally as you would be spending most of your time with the dog, you won't find this a problematic distraction. As the dogs should have a 'just being dog's time' I guess that could be your daughters chance to be involved.
I am sure it will work out,especially if you get your daughter involved and included in the processes involved with the charity.
Good luck with it all
I am sure it will work out,especially if you get your daughter involved and included in the processes involved with the charity.
Good luck with it all
They're coming over to our house in October and bringing a dog with them. They're combining a site visit with a chance for us all to see how my Daughter responds.
There's not really a problem with my daughrpter playing with the dog as long as I spend more time playing with it and she doesn't "corrupt" the commands it's been taught.
As was said on the assessment day, there's a danger that if she plays with it alone and has loads of fun with it when she comes home from school and I don't, then guess what? Everyday at 3:00pm it's sat by the door waiting for her to come home and not wanting to help me. The important thing, and the good thing, is to have fun together and me not to lose interest in the "partnership"
There's not really a problem with my daughrpter playing with the dog as long as I spend more time playing with it and she doesn't "corrupt" the commands it's been taught.
As was said on the assessment day, there's a danger that if she plays with it alone and has loads of fun with it when she comes home from school and I don't, then guess what? Everyday at 3:00pm it's sat by the door waiting for her to come home and not wanting to help me. The important thing, and the good thing, is to have fun together and me not to lose interest in the "partnership"
stuartmmcfc said:
A little update!
About a month ago me and Mary (my canine partner) did a photo shoot (!) for Canine Partners and they’ve decided to put it in their newsletter!
It should be noted that in real life I am slimmer, less grey and better looking than the article suggests!
Congrats! Thanks for posting the article, she looks great and sounds amazing. Glad you have each other. About a month ago me and Mary (my canine partner) did a photo shoot (!) for Canine Partners and they’ve decided to put it in their newsletter!
It should be noted that in real life I am slimmer, less grey and better looking than the article suggests!
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