[NAGDU] Goldens as guides

[Danielle Sykora]

I've worked a Lab/Golden cross and a Golden as a guide. I've also had
a lot of experience with both Labs and Goldens as well as many other
breeds. Some of the differences between Labs and Goldens: Labs are
extremely food motivated. Goldens are also quite food motivated, but
not as much as Labs. Labs are social, but Goldens love everyone and
everything. Goldens tend to be both more sensitive and more stubborn.
It can take a careful balance of handling to be firm enough, while not
putting too much pressure on them. Goldens are more likely to be
affected by your emotions than a Lab, for better or for worse. Easier
to get them enthusiastic when you are happy, yet also easier to make
them anxious when you are anxious. Labs may learn something more
quickly, but need more effort to maintain the behavior. Goldens may be
slower to learn, but they never forget. Goldens tend to be more vocal
in the sense that they may whine or growl when excited or dramatically
sigh/groan/huff to emphasize a point. Goldens also are known for
giving their paw/pawing at you as well as resting their head on
things. Goldens also tend to like to roll on the floor while growling
to themselves in a super adorable way.

As for my particular dogs, my very Lab-like cross is a little better
at targeting and learning new behaviors like fun tricks, because he is
super confident and not afraid to make a mistake. My Golden is a
little better at avoiding obstacles, because she is genuinely upset if
I trip or bump into something. My cross is extremely calm and
completely unphased by anything in public. At home, he tends to stress
up, meaning he may bark, or just forget how to think rationally if he
gets excited. My Golden on the other hand stresses down, meaning
she'll shut down and disengage if she gets frustrated or unsure,
typically only at home. My cross was always distracted by sniffing and
food. He struggles with scavenging and counter surfing. My Golden
struggles with dog distractions, because she is social. She generally
likes food and is definitely not picky, but may refuse or spit out a
food reward from time to time if stressed or very excited. I don't
know how to describe it exactly, but my cross was always calm, stoic,
and very mature while working. My Golden is more bouncy and wiggly.
Both equally well behaved in public, just a different attitude.

I hope all of this helps,
Danielle



On 2/26/23, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi, Sam,
> I have had a Golden, two labs, a lab golden cross, and two shepherds.
> Neither of the shepherds worked well for me. I loved their gait, and the
> second was better than the first, but it didn’t work.
> My first lab was a female and she did well for me. I had a Golden, and we
> bonded quickly and worked well. He was quite protective. I had a black lab
> male, and he was in a world of his own. I tried with him for two years, but
> I finally gave up. Then my last dog was a golden lab cross. He was amazing,
> but I could never get the challenging of other dogs out of him. Someone was
> critical of me, sometimes to my face and sometimes not. In a rage one day I
> quit using him. I took up using him again after while, but he couoldn’t work
> in the same way. Both that dog and the Golden were wonderful guides, and
> they loved their work.
> Cindyray at gmail.com
>
>
> Cindy Lou
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Feb 26, 2023, at 4:41 PM, Sam Doman via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>>    As I have been looking more into getting a guide soon I have done a lot
>> of research about the different breeds used. I was wondering who all had
>> used a golden retriever, and what there experience was like as compared to
>> using a lab or other breed. Obviously a lot depends on the dogs
>> personality.
>> Thanks so much for any help you can provide.
>> Thanks,
>> Sam
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dsykora29%40gmail.com
>