Retired / failed guide dogs

[Bluebirdonmyshoulder]

Hello,

I'm new to the doghouse but hopefully someone has some advice. Just wondering if anyone has experience of taking on a retired or failed guide dog. It's something I'd love to do - I've looked at the details on the website but the information is a bit sparse and interested in any first hand stories - how long the process took, what sort of things they look for, what the dog was like etc. My slight concern is that a retired guide dog is already a senior citizen and might not be up for long walks etc.

Thanks in advance.

my neighbour and aunt both train guide dog puppys (aww) neighbour has a failed one as a pet too they are usually 2ish when theyrealise they are not going to make it as guide dogs so not old at all sometimes blind people keep their retired ones as pets, they fail for lots of reasons not that they are 'bad dogs' sometimes they are just not up to the job, neighbours dog is lovely but a little timid that is why it failed, you will get a well trained socialised dog , go for it

Some friends of ours have two failed guide dogs. Both failed in the last stages of their training but I am not sure what the reasons were, both are lovely pets.

I know a couple who come into my work who took on a retired guide dog, she is pretty old but I believe that is because she was originally kept on as a pet and her actual retirement had been a few years prior.

The process was fast for them but this couple have years of experience and were very happy to take on a older dog, they are an elderly couple so she suits their lifestyle.

She is a lovely looking dog and is really enjoying her life with them.

I think guide dog retire at 7/8 so a few years left in them labs can live till they are intheir teens

We enquired recently actually, but our local rehoming officer is off sick longterm and no-one is dealing with the list in her absence so it's closed.

I've sponsored a few guide dog puppies in the past...they all failed their training

Can't remember the reasons they failed - think one had a thing about escalators or reflective surfaces or something!

Be prepared to wait a long long time. There is strict criteria you have to meet.Some of the dogs may have health issues.Some have quite tricky behavioural issues eg chasing, or fear issues.

link on rehoming guidedogs