[NAGDU] Goldens as guides

[Sam Doman]

Thank you all so much for the information. I've heard that goldens need to be groomed a lot more than labs and that goldens are very affectionate towards their owners. How did you know when your golden or dog had bonded with you?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 3, 2023, at 10:34 AM, Danielle Sykora via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
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