[NAGDU] Goldens as guides

Sat Mar 4 01:34:14 UTC 2023

Hi Sam,

Not all Goldens have long fluffy hair. Both of mine did and you do have to brush them more to keep that under coat and the dead hair cleaned out. They are beautiful and it is worth the effort. All dogs need to be groomed because of the benefit of bringing the natural oil to the surface of their skin. In addition, your partnership will benefit from the time spent in your  daily interaction and personal contact. I use that time to perform massage as well. This is always the time to check for bumps, bruises, ticks and any sores or scrapes. Oh yes, it was in the grooming that I kept watch on Vicky's nail problem. Also, don't forget the teeth brushing and the ear cleaning. 

I believe that proper grooming, health care, feeding and exercise are the payment our dogs earn for their service. Of course, we benefit as well. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sam Doman via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2023 1:56 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sam Doman <skdoman2001 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Goldens as guides

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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> 
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