Category: Animal House
Hey all,
I don't update as much on here as I probably should, but after talking to people that have german shepherds as guide dogs, I think we're finally starting to really like each other now. She's working a lot better for me, and I'm really kind of fond of her. She's really growing on me. We did a route tonight to a bar about 5 blocks from here and we only walked it once, and it was easy enough for me to know where to go, so I decided we should try it for the heck of it. And she only made 2 mistakes on crossing streets. But I've been doing the treat reward since Seeing Eye said that it will work and she's been doing lots better since I've done it. And she was extremely good when I was eating and getting me out of the bar and grill, and taking me home. She was so happy that she knew she did such a good job, she wanted to play right away or chew on her bone. I guess shepherd's reward is playtime. I know that now. It's been almost 3 months since I've had her, and I've probably got another 3 months to go until she loves me, I hope at least. People are saying 6 months for a shepherd to get attached to you, so I'm hoping. But she's starting to be more affectionate with me. She'll ssleep at the foot on my bed on the floor instead of her crate, but at least she's sleeping with me, and she'll give me kisses every once in a while to. That's a lot better than it use to be. But it just takes them longer to get use to people I guess. So I'm starting to become quite happy with the match. I just hope it all works out. Anyway, if anyone wants to write back on here, feel free.
congratulations on the bonding. i had no idea it took so long for shepherds to get attached. that is interesting. i'm scared to death of them, so if i got one as a guide i'd die in six minutes so the closeness would never happen and the school would be totally embarrassed. I'm going to get a dog and picked a school that doesn't even let them in.
I don't believe the statement that it takes about six months for a shepherd to attach itself to someone. In my experience, this is not true at all. I have a German Shepherd of whom I've had since she was about nine weeks old, and from the moment she was placed in my arms, we bonded. She knew that I was her owner and she showed her love and affection for me right away, as I did with her as well. Granted, she isn't a guide dog, but nonetheless, she is a full-blooded shepherd. Each dog is different, no matter their breed, so you really shouldn't judge your bonding time on a specific time period.
Having said this, I'm glad that you guys are building a stronger bond. Good luck in the future.
Oh I hope that we will. And to the person who is afraid of shepherds, I understand. Lots of people are afraid of them, but she's very social and loving. Which I do like after all lol. Anyway, if you want to go to a school that doesn't use them, guide dogs for the blind would be one. I know that they don't use or breed shepherds anymore. There's not many schools that do I guess. But it really all depends on the personality of the dog and the worker instead of the breed. That's why I didn't care of what breed I got as long as it was a good dog and a good worker. I forgot to say that there was a car pulling out of a driveway and she stopped right away. I really like how she's so good at traffic checks. She doesn't trust cars much at all. I know that we stopped at a corner, and I didn't hear a car just waiting for us to go, and she was staring at it like, ok buddy you gonna go or what? I didn't correct her, but I said leave it, then I heard the car and was like, oh there was a car there? And then I praised her. so it's working out pretty good lol. Thanks for the replies.
I too have a shepherd guide from Seeing Eye, who I've had for over 6 years now. we connected right away, although if his trainer was around forget it. I'd say we fully bonded a couple months after leaving class - the kind of unbreakable bond that shepherds are known for. His dedication to me and his work are incredible.
I don't know what I am going to do as he's just turned 8 and showing signs of arthritis in his front ankles. the vet has given us rimmidil to take on an as needed basis, but it seems he needs it more than not - and I don't know that it is a good thing to be giving long term. Other than the arthritis he is very happy and active still. I have joked since the beginning he is the kind of dog who would work til the day he died if he had the choice. I asked for a dog that loved its guide work, and I certainly got that in him.
Anyway congrats on finally getting to a point of bonding with your girl. I know it can be emotionally difficult if you feel like that connection is lacking. Once you win her affections you will have it for life. :)
For arthritis and other joint pain, try glucosamine. I have talked with many veterinarians who recommend it, and if you speak to yours, he or she can tell you which dose to give your dog.
I absolutely agree that there is some aditional bonding time needed for Sheps compared to other breeds! My first two guides were labs, and we hit it off almost immediately, and my last guide was a GSD, an awesome worker, but it took sometime before he respected the fact that I was "calling the shots if you will".
It was probably 3 or 4 months after working together before we really had a relationship to where we really trusted each other and worked as a team. Even at that point he wasn't super interested in to much interaction, but when I finally won him over it was unbelievable. it actually got to the point where if I left him alone for any time over 5 minutes, he'd have a temper tandtrum until I came back. Overall, I don't know how I'd ever work another breed at this point.
Glad you are bonding with your dog. I heard German Shepherds are very loyal and protective of their owners. I have a Lab guide dog, but I'm considering getting a German Shepherd for my next dog.
thanks for the tip on the gdb school. that's where i am going. i was attacked by a shepherd as a little girl. it was a retired police dog and i guess he thought this little fat blind girl looked like some kind of criminal.
Rose if you are thinking about getting a shepherd you should totaly go for it. you won't regret it. Their loyalty and dedication are amazing. Also, as a young woman, I definitely feel safer in general and at night - even if my boy is a softy, the public perception of the shepherd is enough to make me feel better. *grin* how old is your current labby?
He's four years old, so hopefully he can still work for another four or five years. I will work him for as long as he can, but after that I will try to get a Shepherd. I know GEB has German Shepherds, but I think we have to request, because most people get Labs.
Well done on bonding with your dog. I some times wonder what it would be like to have a German hepard as a guide dog. But they might be to strong for me. m first dog was a cross yellow lab Golden Retriever. I hopefully soon can apply for another guide dog. I heard they don't give German shepards to anyone as a first guide dog. What about a second one? Or I might just get a Lab or Retriever or another cross breed.
I actually don't know. My first dog was a golden retriever yellow lab cross, and the bond I had with him was unbelieveable. I wanted a shepherd for my first dog because it was really the only guide dog I saw, and for some reason I didn't want a lab because I saw them all the time, and I guess I wanted to be a little different. But I didn't get the shepherd, and I was so disapointed, but I did this time. I was more shocked I think than ever because of the bond I had with my cross that I'd get another one or a retriever or a lab. I didn't know what to say. But they said that she's playful like I wanted, she's a hard worker, and she's very loving when you guys start bonding, and she's just a sweet dog. I guess they must've listened to my story about me and my first dog and how hard it was for me to give him up, I can only imagine what it's going to be like when the time comes for this one to. But I don't have to worry about that for a long time thank god. The woman who saw me and Vernon my first dog saying goodbye to each other said, I've never seen a dog acct the way he did, unless the dog was a shepherd. He cried so much, and he just knew that it was time to say goodbye and he didn't want to. He just wanted his mommy and nothing else. But I just love dogs if they're well behaved and playful and affectionate. I think my life changed for the better once I got my first dog, and I'll keep having guide dogs for as long as I can walk when I'm old lol.
Amen, sister! Ever since June of 1997, my life has changed so much, all because of a wonderful and amazing companion. I can't imagine ever going back to using a cane. Mind you, I don't have anything against those who choose to use a cane rather than a guide dog. We all have our own opinions as individuals.
It often depends on the dog more so then the breed as to weather they will bond right away or not. July is a lab and we did not bond at all in the beginning. It took us about a year before the bond was really really formed and she decided I was worth her affection. But let me tell you now, there is no doubt that she is my girl and we are as bonded as ever now.
and I love shepherds too but for me I would rather the best guide rather then breed. But god how I love gsd's.
Congratulations in bonding with your dog. Whitney and I think are just now starting to really bond. I've seen the process coming along since July, but now, the bond seems to be stronger than ever. I love her and wouldn't trade her for the world.