BuffettNews.com

There is a remote chance Christine and I may be adopting a retired seeing eye dog in the future. I was just wondering if anyone here has done this and if so, is there anything I should know ahead of time?

I don't know anything about it, but you just scored a TEN from me!

rednekkPH wrote:There is a remote chance I may be adopting a retired seeing eye dog in the future. I was just wondering if anyone here has done this and if so, is there anything I should know ahead of time?

How wonderful for you and the pup. I have a friend that adopted a redired service dog. He said the hardest thing was that the dog was very very sad it had lost the owner it serviced and required extra love and attention at first. After an adjustment period the pup was much better.

This is a very very cool thing for you to do. Good luck with your new friend.

My friend that is blind has a service dog. When he used to travel with friends, etc., I would watch his dog. They follow you EVERYWHERE, since that is their job. His was very loving, obediant and protective of his owner. If all of the service dogs are like his, I wouldn't hesitate at all!

The only thing....I couldn't let my lab and him in the same room or he would attack my lab. He would immediately go after he with the intent to harm, not playing. My lab, who couldn't hurt a flea, would just cower and whine. If you have other dogs, make sure your adopted one likes other dogs!

phjrsaunt wrote:I don't know anything about it, but you just scored a TEN from me!

Ah, it's no biggie. There's a blind guy who comes to my office to visit all the time and I've grown quite fond of his dog. He always takes the harness off so I can pet him and give him a treat (I keep milk-bones in my desk for just this occasion). Well, the dog is getting up there in years, and weill need to be retired soon. The owner said he can't keep him, as it will cause problems for the new service dog. I volunteered to take him and spoil him silly in his last years. I don't know if the owner will take me up on the offer, but I sure hope so.

PartofthePhlock wrote: He said the hardest thing was that the dog was very very sad it had lost the owner it serviced and required extra love and attention at first.

This has crossed my mind. I would be more than willing to bring the dog over to visit, or have the owner over to our place - if that would help.

One other thing...since he was used to always going everywhere with his owner, if I had to leave him at home, he would whine and go nuts. (tearing up things, throwing himself at a door, etc.) The neighbors thought it was domestic violence.

shakerofsalt wrote:The only thing....I couldn't let my lab and him in the same room or he would attack my lab. He would immediately go after he with the intent to harm, not playing.

This would be a definite deal breaker. Thanks for the heads up.

I always go to the Pet Expo that they have at the Fort Washington Expo center twice a year, and they always have the seeing eye dogs there, and they always do small educational seminar on adopting a reitred one, here's what I copied out of their brochure I have.

And congratulations

Q: Do these dogs make good pets after they retire?

A: To the best of our knowledge, yes they do. Even though you have to realize that the "bond" between you and this dog will never be as strong as it was with the blind or disabled master. But you would be adopting a dog that most likely has been trained to learn over 40+ commands in his or her lifetime and has excellent manners.

I'm not quite sure what to expect, that's one situation I haven't studied.

But if any specific issues arise, feel free to PM me; I'm studying to become a certified dog obedience instructor and have read alot on canine behavior. (my friend's refer to me as the "dog whisperer" LOL)

sy wrote:I always go to the Pet Expo that they have at the Fort Washington Expo center twice a year, and they always have the seeing eye dogs there, and they always do small educational seminar on adopting a reitred one

Wow, thanks Jen. When is that?

rednekkPH wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote: He said the hardest thing was that the dog was very very sad it had lost the owner it serviced and required extra love and attention at first.

This has crossed my mind. I would be more than willing to bring the dog over to visit, or have the owner over to our place - if that would help.

I know these are service dogs and have a limited life, but I can not imagine how hard it must be on the serviced owner to give up a companion they have trusted their well being with for so many years.
Broken hearts all around.......makes me sad to think about it.

rednekkPH wrote:

sy wrote:I always go to the Pet Expo that they have at the Fort Washington Expo center twice a year, and they always have the seeing eye dogs there, and they always do small educational seminar on adopting a reitred one

Wow, thanks Jen. When is that?

Coming up soon, March 12-14. It's a very cool show, and very interesting to learn some of the stuff. They have training shows (for horses and dogs), and exhibitions.

http://www.horseandpetexpo.com/HP_2003/ ... A_HOME.htm

PartofthePhlock wrote:

rednekkPH wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote: He said the hardest thing was that the dog was very very sad it had lost the owner it serviced and required extra love and attention at first.

This has crossed my mind. I would be more than willing to bring the dog over to visit, or have the owner over to our place - if that would help.

I know these are service dogs and have a limited life, but I can not imagine how hard it must be on the serviced owner to give up a companion they have trusted their well being with for so many years.
Broken hearts all around.......makes me sad to think about it.

Yeah, this owner is really attached and is not looking at all forward to having to give up the dog. He's more worried about finding a good home for him...which is where we come in

rednekkPH wrote:

shakerofsalt wrote:The only thing....I couldn't let my lab and him in the same room or he would attack my lab. He would immediately go after he with the intent to harm, not playing.

This would be a definite deal breaker. Thanks for the heads up.

that really makes sense.... For us its the opposite... our Golden retriever is used to being alone most of the day .... so on the weekends or off days... he's like... Ummmm.... could y'all just leave so I can sleep!

carey24 wrote:I'm not quite sure what to expect, that's one situation I haven't studied.

But if any specific issues arise, feel free to PM me; I'm studying to become a certified dog obedience instructor and have read alot on canine behavior. (my friend's refer to me as the "dog whisperer" LOL)

KEWL maybe I should send my dog to you. I have neighbor that is a very nice older lady and very friendly. My dog will go and bark at her for it seems like hours on end. He only does this at her house andwhen she or someone comes up next door and will not listen to me call him. He is smart but EXTREMELY stubborn. He is a mixed breed muttlet and is very social able and friendly. weighs about 75 pounds and just turned a year old roughly in Oct.

When whatever mood or thought hits him, he takes off like a bat out of hell and won't listen to anything and keeps going. Other than that he normally minds and is very well behaved.
Any thoughts?

rednekkPH

Did you decide to take the service dog? Hope everything is working out for you.

PartofthePhlock wrote:rednekkPH

Did you decide to take the service dog? Hope everything is working out for you.

If the owner decides to give him to us, and he gets along with our other dog, we will take him. As it stands now, everything is in the hands of the owner. As long as the dog gets a good home with people who will spoil him, I'll be happy.

rednekkPH wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote:rednekkPH

Did you decide to take the service dog? Hope everything is working out for you.

If the owner decides to give him to us, and he gets along with our other dog, we will take him. As it stands now, everything is in the hands of the owner. As long as the dog gets a good home with people who will spoil him, I'll be happy.

One thing we learned real quick about bringing a new dog into the home. Have your dog and the new dog meet someplace other than your home, it takes out the top dog fight or at least makes the transition easier.

Good luck.

PartofthePhlock wrote:

rednekkPH wrote:

PartofthePhlock wrote:rednekkPH

Did you decide to take the service dog? Hope everything is working out for you.

If the owner decides to give him to us, and he gets along with our other dog, we will take him. As it stands now, everything is in the hands of the owner. As long as the dog gets a good home with people who will spoil him, I'll be happy.

One thing we learned real quick about bringing a new dog into the home. Have your dog and the new dog meet someplace other than your home, it takes out the top dog fight or at least makes the transition easier.

Good luck.

Good idea. Thanks.

We're in the midst of building a new home on 16 wooded acres, so there should be plenty of room for both of them.