[nagdu] Breed traits

[Mardi Hadfield]

Hi Laural, Since I primarily work my dogs from a power wheelchair, I need a
dog that can keep up with the pace of my chair.That is why I originally
chose the Siberian Husky.They are bred to work and can pull a sled for many
hours or days without getting tired.They have plenty of stamina and really
enjoy working. They are smart and for the most part are fast learners.Some
can be stubborn.Mine were not.I did try training one that was stubborn and
she would not have made it as a guide dog.She did however,work out as a
companion for an autistic child.My first Husky guide was originally trained
as a service dog.I bought her as a puppy and raised her. Lily's training
began at 13 weeks of age.She was house broken within the first week I had
her. She was picking up items at 16 weeks.She could pick up and bring to me
any thing I asked for.If I asked her to bring me the keys,she brought them
to me.If I asked for a towel,she would bring it.She could find the TV
remote for me when It was lost.Lily would pick up a dime and hand it to
me.I also trained her to open doors and to do many other things.When she
was older and fully grown,she would pull my manual wheelchair. When I
started loosing my sight, I trained her to leash lead me.When I became
legally blind, I worked with a private trainer and trained her to be a
guide dog. She was a wonderful dog.She was a pure white husky with blue
eyes.Nala was my second Husky guide.She was dark gray,black and white with
1 blue eye and 1 brown. I bought her as a 2 year old from a breeder.With in
4 months she was guiding me flawlessly, and passed the blind fold test with
flying colors.I never got lost with Nala.If I went some place once,Nala new
how to get me there the next time.I once missed the last bus home from a
friends house and ended up having to roll it home.I was not sure how to get
home but Nala got me there.It took her just under an hour to get us
home,when I had taken 2 buses to get there in the first place. She some how
knew the way even though she had never been to my friends home before.I was
sleeping one night and was awakened by Nala jumping on me and pulling on my
clothing.It took me a while to wake up and realize that in the other
room,where I had my fish tanks set up,a fire had started due to a short in
the wire  on one of the filters. I quickly cut off the power and unplugged
the filter and the fire went out.I got rid of the melted filter and power
strip and cleaned the black smoke off the wall.That was the extent of the
damage.It could have been much worse if Nala had not awakened me that
night.I might not be here now.Nala saved my life.She was truly a very
special dog. I looked for another Husky to train when I retired Nala but
could not find the right dog. After a year and a half,I expanded my search
to other breeds in the hope of finding a guide prospect.During this
time,Nala just did not want to retire.I found a fawn Belgian Shepherd and
started his training.Shaman did not learn as fast as my Huskies but he did
learn.Nala would see me putting the harness on Shaman and would bring her
harness to me.She wanted to go too.At first I would hook Shaman up with
Nala and work both dogs.Shaman started learning faster by working with
Nala. This kept Nala happy.Occasionally I would take Nala to the grocery
store and leave Shaman home. She was so happy that she was working. I took
her to the grocery store a week before her death,which was very sudden and
very unexpected.Huskies are extremely loyal and dedicated to their
work.Shaman is also very loyal.For a Shepherd,he is very friendly.I think a
little too friendly at times.At first he was very distracted by everything
but with time he got a lot better about distractions,One day,I was working
him and had to scold him for chasing a lizard while going down the
sidewalk.I was beginning to think that maybe he was not going to make it as
a guide dog. I proceeded on to the corner of a very busy street and was
waiting for the light to change so we could cross the street.Shaman began
to dance around and suddenly backed up so I backed up my wheelchair,just as
the light changed.A large truck made a right turn on red and the back
wheels of it's trailer ran over the curb where Shaman and I had been
seconds before. We could have been injured or killed! It was then I knew
that Shaman would be a very good guide dog. It's like he has ESP when it
comes to traffic.He has become a wonderful guide.He is very different from
Lily or Nala though.I had to get used to his way of working,because he was
so different from the Huskies.I would definitely consider another Belgian
when the time comes to retire Shaman.I am currently training a Husky to
guide me when I am walking.Neechee's training is coming along well and I am
very pleased with her.Shaman walks too fast for me when I walk as I am very
slow due to my spinal problems.I don't want to confuse him or possibly ruin
him for wheelchair guiding so I decided to go with a second dog.This is
another plus for owner training.I can have 2 guide dogs and they both will
get enough work to keep them happy and well exercised.I am trying to walk
as much as possible to avoid Pulmonary Embolism as I have survived this
condition several times now.Still,there are many times when I know I will
be out for a long time and still will use my power wheelchair and
Shaman,because there is not always a place to sit down when I need
to.Belgian Shepherds are very loyal,some times they get silly,but they do
enjoy working.Shaman can chase lizards one minute and the next minute he is
saving me from being squashed under a trucks wheels.He has a happy go lucky
attitude when working where as my Huskies were very serious when working.
Now that I have written this book,it's time for me to let the dogs out one
last time before bed time.Hope this answers your questions.   Mardi and
Shaman and Neechee,GDIT.

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