I loved this! Happy six-month anniversary to you and Penny girl. As a fellow guide dog handler, so much of what you shared resonates with me. Yes, those once-in a life dogs are a rarity; I've been fortunate to have had two; the first was my third dog and my first female Shepherd, and the second was my last guide and my first male GSD. Current boy isn't a lifetime dog, but hes a brilliant worker--and wicked smart, holy smokes! (He just let out a long groan as I typed that last. Not sure if that was an agreement or just a yeah yeah shut up, I know I'm wicked smart.) I know what you mean about those moments when you question yourself and the team; it's something I've gone through with all of my now six guides. Hugh dog and I have been together since the fourth of March, and man oh man, did I really have huge qustioning moments during training and when we got home; those moments will continue I know; that's the thing that's both great and challenging about these experiences: It's like riding a roller coaster, lots of ups and downs and turns and twists. Your girl sounds a lot like my first dog Filly, a pint-size female black Lab. Filly was sassy, super fast and pulled like a train; my little pocket rocket. I've used a toiletting harness--I have two actually, though I now only use it in winter when there's a crap ton of snow--and the first dog I used one with was my second dog, a female black Lab/Golden cross. I quickly learned that nope, peeing in the bag was not something I wanted to deal with; so since she had a pretty consistent schedule, I put the bag on after she peed. Anyway, I'm glad Penny girl ended up with you; probably what also helps is you're a good handler, even though she's your second dog. You grew up with a guide dog; I didn't, and I was just a terrible handler for starters; twenty years later, I think I've learned something. ::LOL:: But man, it took me a while. I also can relate to that feeling of having only been together for a short time but feeling like you've worked together longer; it was like that with SoulBear, my last dog; we just clicked so well; by the time we finished class, I felt like we'd worked together for at least a year. Oh, and when you said you'd see if you could insert footage of Penny groaning, my own dog let out a long and very loud groan. Want groaning? I swear, he's the king of groans around here.
That’s great Melanie that you and Penny are doing so well and are such a good match. I’m happy for you. I hope you’re staying safe and sane during these crazy times
I loved this! Happy six-month anniversary to you and Penny girl. As a fellow guide dog handler, so much of what you shared resonates with me. Yes, those once-in a life dogs are a rarity; I've been fortunate to have had two; the first was my third dog and my first female Shepherd, and the second was my last guide and my first male GSD. Current boy isn't a lifetime dog, but hes a brilliant worker--and wicked smart, holy smokes! (He just let out a long groan as I typed that last. Not sure if that was an agreement or just a yeah yeah shut up, I know I'm wicked smart.)
I know what you mean about those moments when you question yourself and the team; it's something I've gone through with all of my now six guides. Hugh dog and I have been together since the fourth of March, and man oh man, did I really have huge qustioning moments during training and when we got home; those moments will continue I know; that's the thing that's both great and challenging about these experiences: It's like riding a roller coaster, lots of ups and downs and turns and twists.
Your girl sounds a lot like my first dog Filly, a pint-size female black Lab. Filly was sassy, super fast and pulled like a train; my little pocket rocket.
I've used a toiletting harness--I have two actually, though I now only use it in winter when there's a crap ton of snow--and the first dog I used one with was my second dog, a female black Lab/Golden cross. I quickly learned that nope, peeing in the bag was not something I wanted to deal with; so since she had a pretty consistent schedule, I put the bag on after she peed.
Anyway, I'm glad Penny girl ended up with you; probably what also helps is you're a good handler, even though she's your second dog. You grew up with a guide dog; I didn't, and I was just a terrible handler for starters; twenty years later, I think I've learned something. ::LOL:: But man, it took me a while.
I also can relate to that feeling of having only been together for a short time but feeling like you've worked together longer; it was like that with SoulBear, my last dog; we just clicked so well; by the time we finished class, I felt like we'd worked together for at least a year.
Oh, and when you said you'd see if you could insert footage of Penny groaning, my own dog let out a long and very loud groan. Want groaning? I swear, he's the king of groans around here.
That’s great Melanie that you and Penny are doing so well and are such a good match. I’m happy for you. I hope you’re staying safe and sane during these crazy times