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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Has anyone re-homed a guide dog?

28 replies

Toomanybaubles · 19/12/2018 19:47

Just that really, I will be completing the forms over the Christmas period but would love to hear from anyone who has done this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 19/12/2018 19:50

Must add that it is the process/wait times/are dogs generally available I am interested in as there isn't any information online (not how to look after a dog)!

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BestZebbie · 19/12/2018 19:54

One of my in-laws "rehomed" a guide dog but it had worked for her husband who sadly passed away, so was already living in her house and fairly old.

Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 19/12/2018 20:00

I have seen the rehome a 'retired' dog option Best, one of the options is would you take a dog aged 11plus Sad poor dogs.

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LittleLongDog · 20/12/2018 08:17

I don’t know anything about it but it sounds a lovely thing that you’re doing baubles.

XXcstatic · 20/12/2018 08:20

A friend's father had a retired GD and it worked out really well as he was elderly, so didn't go out much - the GDA won't re-home if you work, even if you have a dog-walker, as the dogs are used to constant companionship.

The tough thing, of course, is that you usually only have the retired ones for 2-3 years, as they are already over 10 when you get them.

PineappleTart · 20/12/2018 08:26

Friends of mine rehomed a guide dog who had gone a fair way through training but was a little too boisterous for the role but was an absolute sweetheart of a dog. Not sure about timescales

Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 20/12/2018 08:27

My lab is now 14, I have had her since she was 10 weeks old. She still walks three or four miles most days.

I would like another lab or golden retriever. Part of me would love to give a home to an older one but I know that my dog is exceptionally well for her age so health is a consideration (for instance we don't walk as much as a family these days because we tailor our walks to her ability and I would like to walk more). I don't feel the need to get a puppy.

I do know that they won't let you have one if you work. I do work but she (I always have females!) could come to work with me.

I was surprised to see that they breed their own dogs, I would be interested to learn more about that as I spent months researching health when I got my current dog.

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Ladymargarethall · 20/12/2018 08:28

We have a failed Hearing Dog.😍

simplepimple · 20/12/2018 08:41

Generally their dogs retire at the age of 9 but they also have other younger dogs which might not make it due to health or temperament reasons. (which will be explained to you and any potential future medication needed)

You will have a home visit and you are allowed to work but dogs are not allowed to be left for longer than 3 hrs per day. You may have to wait a while but you will get an extremely well behaved dog who is likely to walk lovely on the lead.

All stock is bred at the Leamington centre - you can arrange a group visit and sponsoring or naming a pup is a wonderful present. Their website will tell you more.

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 20/12/2018 08:45

Not all the retired dogs are that old. They can be retired earlier due to health issues, the first one we puppywalked would have been 7 when he retired, but he had a cruciate ligament issue that caused him to be withdrawn

Some fail their final training so would be about two years old. I know of one who decided the job of being a Guide Dog was not for him about a year in and he had to be "retired"
There seem to be a fair amount of GRet/GSD crosses atm

We had two of our pups back, both GSDs and the most beautiful dogs ever. IMO the GSDs they breed are perfect!....large, burly, flatbacked and bombproof!!

Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 20/12/2018 08:47

I have already looked at everything on the website. I think I will phone them after the new year.

We already sponsor two guide dogs.

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Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 20/12/2018 08:48

I don’t want a GSD. It has to be a lab or goldie or lab/goldie x.

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dogdogdog · 20/12/2018 08:57

I was interested in this too. Good luck OP

Oldraver · 20/12/2018 09:02

Good luck with this OP

We have been sponsoring for about a year and are on the third dog

Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 20/12/2018 09:03

Thanks dog, it is just timing I need to work out. Do I wait inevitable happens with my lovely dog or do I do it now.

Obviously I want the best for my dog. She is like a ray of sunshine, loves everyone and everything, bounces around with young dogs in the park daily.

Do I let her live out her days in peace or get another dog. She has always been the only dog but has lived with multiple cats. Friend to the world.

Lots to think about but it has been on my mind for at least a year so I need to deal with it!

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Nesssie · 20/12/2018 10:57

Toomanybaubles From your latest update, a 14 year old dog that has always been the only dog? I wouldn't advise introducing a new dog at this point personally.

Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 20/12/2018 15:54

It isn’t as simple as that Nesssie, we have looked after a golden retriever for two weeks every month for years so whilst she has been our only dog she has shared her home with a dog.

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Els1e · 20/12/2018 16:30

My sil had a retired guide dog who was absolutely lovely. She was 9 when they had her and she was 14 when she died. She fitted into family life very quickly.

dogdogdog · 20/12/2018 16:38

I selfishly love the idea of having an adult dog who has been well socialised.

I have rescue dogs with ishoos and i want my next dog to be a bit easier. I feel I've done my time with reactive/tricky/needy cases!

StuntNun · 20/12/2018 16:45

Oh what a brilliant idea! I was thinking about signing up for a local Labrador rescue group but my two youngest (6 and nearly 4yo) aren't used to dogs so a steady older guide dog might be perfect for them.

Original poster
Toomanybaubles · 20/12/2018 18:19

I think there are lots of positives dog and Stunt. I am very very lucky, my current dog trained herself, no issues at all, all her life, she is irreplaceable.

But I want a dog around and I think this will be a lovely thing to do. I would be wary of something with health issues, that can always happen but I don't want to start with them and I want a fairly active dog.

Their webpage says 75% of dogs succeed, that means 25% don't. I would love a lab/golden retriever x.

I will report back when I have had the conversation, I am in two minds whether to wait (as of October we no longer care for the golden retriever so no playmate but I can't quite decide if that is a good thing for my dog or not).

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simplepimple · 20/12/2018 18:47

Part of the 25% that don't qualify as Guide Dogs are offered to other organisations who need service dogs - there can sometimes be a long wait to find a suitable dog but sometimes it's quicker and is dependent on the rehoming officers workload.

CandyMelts · 20/12/2018 18:50

Such a lovely idea, I'd love to be a puppy walker if I win the lottery! I've had the sponsor dogs for years, 2 have failed in a row! Kind of assumed they made up the stories until then, bet they're still amazing and usual pets - ddog won't even bring my slippers...

MotherWilliam · 20/12/2018 19:12

I took in a retired lab/retriever about four years ago. She was aged 11 at the time, and sadly I had only a year or so with her. Two summers and the winter in between. She was the gentlest, most well-behaved dog you could wish to meet and I loved her dearly. And respected her. She had known no life apart from being a guide dog. Being born into it, and beginning their training as soon as they are removed from the mother, these beautiful and energetic dogs have spent their entire lives caring for their person. I live on the coast and was so glad to have been able to give her one last year of daily walks along the sea, which she so enjoyed. Have a look at the guide dog website - if you don't feel able to take an elderly dog and face the sadness when the inevitable happens, there are other opportunities, young dogs who are found to be physically or temperamentally unsuited to that life, or if you live near Leamington you may be able to rehome a bitch who is past the age of breeding - about 7, I think.

villainousbroodmare · 20/12/2018 19:20

I'm a vet and currently have several patients who are either retired or not-quite-successful guide dogs. Every one is a joy to see.