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- 2011 Diary of a puppy walker
Liz's Puppy walker diary
My name is Elizabeth Dale (Liz) and I live with my husband David, in Flintshire, North Wales, we have two pets of our own, an African Grey parrot called Cleopatra, and a Senegal parrot called Charlie. I started puppy walking in 2005 after reading an appeal in my local newspaper for puppy walkers for Guide Dogs in my area. As my own pet dog number five had died the year before, and I had already decided that I was too old to take on a new puppy, becoming a puppy walker for Guide Dogs felt just right for me. So I applied and received the application form to be completed along with two people's names who could be contacted as references. The next stage was an appointment for a Supervisor to visit me for an informal interview to assess my suitability, and also to check my house, but more importantly, my garden to make sure a puppy could not escape, and to seek out a 'spending area' where puppy can do its toileting.
Thankfully all went well and I was accepted as a puppy walker, and shortly after, my Supervisor brought along my first puppy, a black Labrador called Velvet, who sadly didn't make it as a Guide Dog, although she did get to her final stages, called Advanced Training, but it was then decided that she was not really suitable, and was rehomed with a lovely family whom I have spoken to. The new owner was so pleased with Velvet, that after paying the required fee, he also gave a donation to Guide Dogs, and I was happy that my little girl had gone to such a loving home. Guide Dogs do 'vet' prospective new owners before they can take ownership of a dog.
My second puppy was a black Labrador/retriever called Greta who did qualify as a guide dog, and is working with a lady in the Manchester area. Number three was a yellow Labrador called Kim, who also qualified, and is working with a gentleman in Preston, who is a football fan, so Kim goes along to football matches with him.
Three months before Kim left me, puppy number four arrived, a black Labrador called Maple, and after checking her health record card, (that is something that goes with the dog throughout their life, with their details on, dates of vaccinations, worming, flea control, illnesses etc.) I discovered that Maple had the same father as Kim, so my two little girls were half sisters, and they got on really well. They were always curling up in the same bed, even though they each had a bed of their own, having two puppies is what Guide Dogs call an 'overlap' and Maple also became a guide dog earlier last year, and is working with a gentleman in Grimsby, and I received a Christmas card from them this Christmas, which was lovely, and naturally brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy I might add.
My fifth puppy was a black Labrador/retriever cross called Rea, who went into the training centre at Atherton to start her specialised training in October 2010, so I am now following her progress. Rea is doing her training in harness, and has taken to it really well. Some dogs do not take to the harness at all, and are sometimes withdrawn from the programme for this very reason. Rea's trainer has rung me a few times to let me know how she is getting on, which is very kind, as I know they are very busy, she even e-mailed me some photo's of Rea playing in the snow on Christmas eve, which delighted me, so they do get plenty of playtime during their training, it isn't all work. Six months before Rea left I got another overlap, a German Shepherd girl called Maya, who is Sable in colour.
Posted by Liz Dale, volunteer puppy walker for Guide Dogs on 5:17pm Wed 19 Jan 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Update on Quella
Quella has now left me, she left on 12th January, to go to the National Breeding Centre, for a character assessment, to see if she will be suitable to be a Brood Bitch, four days after her first birthday, so it was lovely that she was here for her birthday. She was due to be collected at 7am, which...Read the full post
Posted by on 2:55pm Mon 30 Jan 2012 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 50 - Liz's last entry
This is now the final week of my Puppy Diary, as I have been doing it for one year, which is what I was asked to do. I am pleased to say I can bring it to a close on a high note, as Maya the German Shepherd, (at the start of the diary,) has now qualified. She is now a working Guide Dog for a lady...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 2:13pm Thu 29 Dec 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 49 - Liz gets a new puppy
As planned I took Quella to Atherton training centre on Monday afternoon, where she would stay. Then on Tuesday Quella was taken to a veterinary surgeon, to have some x-rays taken, under anaesthetic, of her hips, shoulders and elbows, to see if she will be suitable for the breeding programme....Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 2:29pm Mon 19 Dec 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 48 - Liz receives some good news!
Quella's training is progressing really well, she copes with most things now, however, we have had a few hiccups during her growing up, but she has overcome all the hiccups. She will sit patiently at a door, until I open it, and tell her to 'come', she will 'find the button' at a pelican crossing,...Read the full post
Posted by on 9:53am Tue 13 Dec 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 47 - Quella due for x-rays
I recently received a phone call from my supervisor, to tell me that Quella has been booked in for her hip x-rays, to check for any signs of hip dysplasia. She is going next week. These x-rays are to see if she will be suitable for breeding. I will take her to Atherton Training Centre on Monday...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 11:20am Mon 5 Dec 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 46 - Reunited with Maya
Maya, my German Shepherd, is now nearing the end of her advanced training. This is the time when the trainers invite the puppy walkers to visit their dog, and see it working in harness, and the chance to say that final farewell to the dog. I recently got my invitation to go to see Maya working. The...Read the full post
Posted by on 2:34pm Mon 28 Nov 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 45 - Quella 'faces the music'
In July of this year, there was a procession taking place in the next town, and leading the procession was a brass band. I took Quella along to watch this, to see her reaction to the band. She did not like it at all, and headed away from the noise before it got anywhere near to where we were...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 2:29pm Mon 21 Nov 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 44 - Quella momentarily out of Liz's 'good book'
I have recently been calling Quella my 'little miss perfect' as she is so good to puppy walk. However, I'm afraid her halo has slipped and somewhat tarnished this week, and the reason I say this is while free running her this week, in a field close to my house, I saw her rolling in a corner of the...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 11:37am Mon 14 Nov 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 43 - Quella becomes a role model
This week we have had Mabs the Yellow Labrador to stay again, she was here for eight days, so Quella had a little playmate, and they got on really well together. Mabs hadn't been on a bus ride as she didn't like the look of that big monster, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to try the...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 2:12pm Mon 7 Nov 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 42 - Quella is happy to be out and about again
Quella is now out and about again following her season, so is now a happy bunny once more. I have been playing with her in the garden, I also reduced her food slightly, to avoid her putting on weight. I took her to be weighed this morning, and oh dear, she has put a little bit of weight on, but I...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 3:11pm Tue 1 Nov 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 41 - Quella gets restless in season
Quella is not a very happy bunny at the moment, due to being in season, she cannot understand why she can't go out. I have taken her out for car rides just to get her out of the house, although I don't get her out. Some people do take their dog out for walks when they are is season, but I prefer...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 3:33pm Tue 25 Oct 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 40 - Quella shows great potential
Now that Quella has turned eight months of age, it is time for her to be looked at as she is prospective breeding stock. I took her to Atherton training centre to see a Senior Supervisor, experienced in selecting breeding stock. I was asked several questions about Quella and her temperament. Then...Read the full post
Posted by on 4:24pm Mon 17 Oct 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 39 - Getting involved with Guide Dogs Week
This last week has been 'Guide Dog' week 1-9 October. Where Guide Dogs have been celebrating eighty years since starting in 1931 in Wallasey, Merseyside, UK. Across the country, Guide Dog staff, Volunteers, and Guide Dog owners have all been working hard fundraising, to raise money to help produce...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 2:53pm Mon 10 Oct 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 38 - Its Guide Dogs Week and time to reflect
This week is 'Guide Dog' week, where Guide Dogs are celebrating their Eightieth birthday. Yes it is now eighty years since the first four Guide Dogs were partnered with their Guide Dog Owners. Back in October 1931 in Wallasey, Cheshire, UK. four German Shepherds became the first Guide Dogs, 'Flash'...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 11:17am Tue 4 Oct 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 37 - Camping trip with Quella
Quella has been on holiday for a few days. We went camping to Dyffryn Ardudwy, which is between Barmouth and Harlech, North Wales, UK, it is a lovely campsite and dog friendly, although they do charge £2.00 per night for a dog, the owners very kindly waved the charge to me as mine are Guide Dog...Read the full post
Posted by on 11:43am Mon 26 Sep 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 36 - A trip to Atherton Fun Day
Guide Dogs training centre at Atherton, near Manchester UK, where my puppies go to do their specialised training when they leave me, had a 'Fun Day' last Sunday, which was open to the general public as well as Guide Dog staff and volunteers, also Guide Dog owners. Fortunately it was a beautiful...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 2:35pm Mon 19 Sep 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 35 - Quella meets Will and Kate. Really?
We have been to Chester on the bus with Quella this week, and she was very good. We use the bus every week so it is second nature to her now. We had a wonder around the shops with her, then went for some lunch where Quella lay on her blanket as good as gold. Before we left I visited the ladies...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 3:14pm Mon 12 Sep 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 34 - Luther comes to stay
We have had Luther back to stay, as his Puppy Walker is on holiday, a German Sheperd x Golden Retriever. It is only ten days since he was last here, and he has grown some, he is as tall as Quella now and he is only four months old, he is going to be a big boy. He was at puppy class the week before...Read the full post
Posted by on 11:35am Mon 5 Sep 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 33 - Moving up the classes
Quella certainly has a quirk about colours, I previously mentioned how she backed away from her food because I had changed her bowl, and it was a different colour. I have a bright orange aqua toy that is not kept in her toy box, I keep it in another room, but if she manages to sneak into that room...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 11:49am Wed 31 Aug 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 32 - 'Step' and 'Stand'
Quella is now seven months old, so I needed to take her along to the Vet to have her vaccinated against kennel cough. All Guide Dog stock have this done at seven months of age, in preparation for entering the kennels later. Although it is a vaccine, it is not administered by injection, but a liquid...Read the full post
Posted by on 2:13pm Mon 22 Aug 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 31 - Quella meets Richard
Recently there was a Guide Dog fun day at Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, North Wales,UK.and we went along to support Guide Dogs. There were lots of Guide Dog puppies, and also a lot of working Guide Dogs with their owners. During the day there was a Guide Dog demonstration, by a gentleman called Andy, who...Read the full post
Posted by on 11:17am Wed 17 Aug 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 30 - Fear of hand dryers blown away
Usually my week is spent visiting a garden centre or a free run somewhere with Quella, but since her aversion to electric hand dryers, we have been frequenting ladies loo's this week. I did not return to the place that she first took a dislike to them, just in case she related to it and would...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 11:16am Mon 8 Aug 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 29 - Hide and seek in the woods
Quella is growing fast, she is now six months old and weighs 25kg. Her cute puppy face has matured into a pretty little girls face. We recently boarded a ten week old puppy, and it was amusing to see it walking under Quella's tummy, just like Quella used to do with Maya, my German Shepherd Guide...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 11:26am Tue 2 Aug 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 28 - Quella impresses supervisor
This week I was due a visit from my Puppy Walker Supervisor, as she visits her Puppy Walkers on a regular basis, 1st time Puppy Walker are visited more frequently, although she is always 'on call' where a Puppy Walker can request a visit when needed. During her recent visit we travelled into a...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 4:29pm Mon 25 Jul 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 27 - Quella settles down
Quella has settled really well without Maya,and doesn't appear to have missed her at all. The day Maya left we decided to eat out for our evening meal, and take Quella with us, as she has to learn to sit or lay quietly while we eat our meal. I took a small piece of bedding for her to lie on by my...Read the full post
Posted by on 9:20am Tue 19 Jul 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 26 - Maya leaves for Atherton
The day finally arrived for my beautiful German Shepherd Maya to leave us, to enter Atherton Training Centre to begin her specialised training. The day before she was due to leave, we decided to make her last full day with us special, and treat her and Quella to a day out at Rhyl beach. I hadn't...Read the full post
Posted by on 3:54pm Mon 11 Jul 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 25 - Quella's on the right track
I have recently been back to the train station with Quella. As it was a nice sunny day, I decided to sit on the opposite platform with Quella on my lap, with my back to the train, so that she could look over my shoulder, and when the train pulled in, stopped, and then pulled away, she was...Read the full post
Posted by on 11:24am Mon 4 Jul 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 22 - Quella makes the climb
I have been practising stairs with Quella this week. We went into a store, and she did manage a few, although very gingerly, with the help of a treat placed on each step, but after a few steps she decided to turn and come back down, despite there being treats placed further up. The problem with...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 12:19pm Fri 1 Jul 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 21 - Quella conquers fear of elevators
Quella now quite happily enters into an elevator, the first time I attempted to walk her into one she backed away, not even to be lured by a treat, or toy, all attempts failed miserably. I then left it for a couple of weeks, so she could forget that negative experience. This week I took her to a...Read the full post
Posted by Liz Dale on 3:06pm Mon 6 Jun 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 20 - Maya is nearly ready for Atherton
I have learned that my dear sweet German Shepherd Maya is leaving us very soon, to go to Atherton Training Centre, to start her specialised training, where she will be introduced to the harness. It is always a slightly sad time when this day comes. Then I remind myself why I am a Puppy Walker,...Read the full post
Posted by Liz Dale on 1:07pm Wed 1 Jun 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 19 - Quella gets the bus
We decided to give the noisy train exercise a miss for this week, and we took some bus rides instead, although Quella has travelled by bus when she was younger, and she was still being carried out and about. She has also travelled on a bus while out walking, but that was from the bus terminus,...Read the full post
Posted by Liz Dale on 1:05pm Wed 1 Jun 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 18 - Quella's trip to the train station
I took Quella to have a look at a train this week, although I have taken her to a busy train station before, but she was still being carried out then and took it in quite calmly. This week I took her to our local train station. I decided to wait on the opposite platform so that the train wasn't...Read the full post
Posted by Liz Dale on 11:50am Wed 1 Jun 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 17 - Quella learns to 'leave it'
I am continuing to do obedience training with Quella. This week I have been teaching her to 'leave it', which is important for when there is our food within her reach. I do this by placing a treat on my open hand a few inches away from her face, and repeat the word 'leave it', when she attempts...Read the full post
Posted by on 11:42am Wed 1 Jun 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 16 - Quella's first free run
Now Quella is fully vaccinated and the vaccine has taken effect, she can walk on soft ground. So this week we have been for a free run off lead in the woods near where I live. She had the time of her life I don't think her nose left the ground, sniffing all the wonderful scents left by the wildlife...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 10:02am Tue 3 May 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 15 - Hot weather = fun in the paddling pool
Quella is learning fast, she will readily 'spend' for me when I ask her to be 'busy'. She walks nicely at the moment on a loose lead, until she decides to just stop and sit down. I carry a small squeaky toy which I squeak a few paces in front of her to encourage her to carry on walking. Sometimes...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 10:22am Tue 26 Apr 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 14 - First Guide Dog puppy class for Quella
Quella attended her first Guide Dog puppy class this week. I was looking forward to taking her, so as to see her reaction to a group of other puppies. Her class is for puppies that are fully vaccinated up to six months of age. The approach to the hall that we use has three flights of steps, also...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 9:03am Tue 19 Apr 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 13 - Quella goes on her first walks
Quella has been for her 12 weeks vaccination this week, where she was also weighed, as she also needs worming at 12 weeks of age, and I need to know her weight to administer the correct amount of worming tablets. She now weighs 9.35k. Quella can now go for local lead walks on hard ground, although...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 9:19am Tue 12 Apr 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 12 - Quella is learning fast
Quella now understands the 'sit' command, so this week she has been learning the 'down' command. I do this by placing my hand, containing a treat, between her two front paws, while saying the word 'down'. The easiest way to find the treat is for her to go in the down position, when she does this,...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 3:48pm Tue 5 Apr 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 11 - Quella learns the toilet command
The next lesson in Quella's learning curve, is to do her toileting on command,and the word we use for this is 'busy' I usually say 'busy busy' the best way to start this training, is to always take puppy to the toilet area, renamed 'spending area' upon wakening, after play,after a meal, and ...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale on 1:42pm Mon 28 Mar 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 10 - Quella and Maya get on well
Quella arrived home, and met Maya, fortunately they made friends right away, and have got on really well. It is lovely watching them interacting with each other, and quite amusing seeing Quella hanging onto Maya's tail, as it is easy for her to reach, and Maya does not react in any way, in fact...Read the full post
Posted by Elizabeth Dale, Puppy Walker on 12:16pm Mon 21 Mar 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 9 - New pup Quella arrives
Quella has arrived in her new home, she is a Black Labrador. Her mum is a Black Labrador called Mollie, and dad is a Yellow Labrador called Ralph, there are nine puppies in the litter, and they are the 'Q' litter, and their names are Quella, Quala, Quest, Quaser, Quinny, Quaver, Queenie, Quiz, and...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 10:54am Mon 14 Mar 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 8 - Maya's first Birthday
Maya celebrated her first birthday this week, on the 1st of March. We bought her a nice doggy birthday cake, made from chewable hide, with other food treats inside. Also she got an interactive puzzle toy, it is shaped like a paw, with smaller paws around the edge, these paws lift out, for treats...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 4:25pm Tue 8 Mar 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 7 - Volunteers award ceremony
This week I have two pleasant experiences to talk about. Firstly, every year at this time of the year, Guide Dogs like to say thank you, to their volunteers, by way of organizing a get-together for us, this year, it was at the new training centre at Atherton, where a lovely buffet was...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 1:25pm Mon 28 Feb 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 6 - Maya is awarded Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
Guide Dogs run a puppy class fortnightly, which is very good for the puppies, as all the dogs attending are Guide Dog stock, so the training is equal to them all. Unlike when out walking a puppy, there is always somebody, who is walking a dog on lead,and wants to let their dog say 'hello' to...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 1:19pm Mon 21 Feb 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 5 - Maya to become a guide dog in training
I have had some disappointing news this week, my supervisor telephoned me, to tell me that Maya has not passed her x-rays, as one of her hips was not perfect, although nothing to worry about, she is fit and healthy, it just means that Guide Dogs would rather not use her for breeding. She will ...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 3:36pm Mon 14 Feb 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 4 - Maya gets tested for breeding suitability at the vets
This week I took Maya to the Guide Dog Training Centre at Atherton, to have her eyes checked by a vet, who comes along to the training centre, where she had drops put into her eyes, to dilate the pupils, to enable the vet to look into her eyes through an opthalmascope. Luckily her eyes were...Read the full post
Posted by on 1:48pm Mon 7 Feb 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 3 - Why German Shepards are special...
When I am out and about walking my puppy, I always gain interest from the public, people want to pet the puppy, and ask all about them, and how long it takes to train them etc, and I do love the attention, that puppy walking attracts, I love to talk about them and my puppy walking...Read the full post
Posted by on 4:47pm Tue 1 Feb 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 2 - Maya's litter
The Guide Dog breeding stock are called Brood Bitches (BB) and Stud Dogs (SD) and they live in peoples homes who are called Brood Bitch Holders (BBH) and Stud Dog Holders (SDH) but they do go into the breeding centre to be mated, also the BB spends her season in the centre, even when she is not...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 3:28pm Mon 24 Jan 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
Week 1 - Will Maya be suitable for guide dog breeding?
When I was first told I was going to have a German Shepherd, I was a little unsure of puppy walking a German Shepard Dog as some of this breed can find it difficult adapting to the change in handlers, as they are very loyal dogs to their owners. However, Maya is earmarked to become a Brood Bitch,...Read the full post
Posted by Liz on 5:27pm Wed 19 Jan 2011 | Read comments | Post a comment
