I was reading an article in one of the dog magazines about a couple who fostered pups and socialised them before they were old enough to go to their proper training and I was just thinking how hard it must be to do this and then give them up, no matter that you know they are going to help someone...I dont think I could do it

Also I wondered how it is these days to socialise the pup to all the different environments an assistance dog would need to be familiar with, as so many places dont let dogs in these days - or do assistance dogs in training get to go in places that guide-dogs etc can go?

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I'd love to do it. Also, the fostered dogs will have a coat telling people they are assistance dogs in training, so they are allowed anywhere and everywhere.

I was going to foster a guide puppy but my parents weren't up for it.

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would love to do it one day, perhaps when i'm older and have more time.

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Corrine

My mother in law is blind as is her co-worker (they work on specially adapted switchboards). They have them about 10 years I think (not 100% on that though as I can't recall exactly!) but it's very sad when the dogs have to retire as the person requiring the dog has to give them up after all that time to get a new assistance dog. There's a man that works with them who is a lovely guy with a house by the beach who takes the dogs for regular holidays when their humans go for training courses at the RNIB etc and he takes them too when they retire so they still get to see them and get updates etc. I imagine it's hard giving them up as puppies too but really hard too when they retire.

Laura

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Oh yes I hadnt thought of it from that angle - that must be so sad I wonder though if they are able, they could keep them on as a pet and get another assistance dog too? So sad otherwise...

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The puppies in training are allowed in the same places as the older dogs.

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shame all puppies arent allowed - would be brill for socialisation in general!

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They tend not to do this as you end up with both dogs wanting to be the assistant dog, so it doesn't work out.

Was just about to say this. It is hard but unfortunately the way it has to be.

In the cases of mother in law and colleague the dogs going for 'holidays' with and seeing their new owner every day for years at work and being very used to him they adjust very easily to being retired. The last dog certainly knows he's on to a good thing and is very well settled!

Saying that though some dogs just aren't meant to be guide dogs and although there are trained very, very well they just don't work out. The one my mother in laws colleague has at the moment is a complete nutter and I have no idea how the poor guy makes it into work in one piece every day! He's attached to it but he still may have to give it up which isn't so good. He'd make a great pet but very unfocused for working!

Laura

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