Remember you can follow my blog to keep up to date with what's going on with Knightley and I, or you can sign up to get my new posts emailed directly to you.
If you want to hear more about a way I've trained something, or if you have a training question about your own dog, I'd be happy to help. I am glad to see positive dog training techniques taking its place beside the more 'traditional' approach which has always contained a certain amount of punishment. I hope for the day when it is the only technique used. If I can do my small part in spreading the word, then I will! Give me a yell if I can help you with a doggy problem of your own in a positive way that will put a smile on your dogs face.
Don't be shy! I love to hear from people, and so does Knightley!
Love this photo of the pup, very well done sweetheart, so very proud of you both !! :) His best feature is something that doesnt need any training though, giving love! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lyssa,
ReplyDeleteMyself and my husband have been reading your blog with much interest for the past few months. It is so interesting and just fantastic to see how much Knightly has come on and developed since you got him. He really is a credit to you and all the training that you're doing. I really hope he becomes the assistance dog that you want him to become, he's certainly looking like he's going in the right direction!
We are getting our own Golden Retriever puppy in about two weeks and your blog has inspired us to use Sue's Training Levels to train him (and us!) so we'll be revisiting your earlier posts with interest and refreshing ourselves on how you started off with Knightly all those months ago! :)
Keep up the good work, I look out for your updates regularly. Give Knightly a cuddle from me and tell him he's got fans all the way on the otherside of the world in the UK! :)
Hi Amy,
DeleteReally nice to hear from you! Prepare yourself for a whirlwind, because these golden pups grow at the rate of knots. Expect to be pretty exhausted in those first couple of weeks, they are like babies in how much attention they require. It wasn't just me who was completely exhausted by Knightley at first, my husband was virtually catatonic too!
The Training Levels are an excellent choice of course, if you haven't read Sue's Stitch and Syn blogs, definitely read those to show you how to raise a puppy pro style. They are on her website (link to it on the right for anyone who wants them). Another resource for specifically golden puppies if you haven't already checked it out is GoldenRetrieverForum.com . It helped me out a lot in what to expect and dealing with very golden issues... although mostly I put my own spin on them.
I'm almost a bit jealous of you... I'd love to go through Knightley's fuzzy baby stage again, even with the hard work. It was so fleeting. Enjoy every second of it - even the frustrating bits.
BTW my husband is from the UK - we got married there last May! I told Knightley he had fans from far far away and he gave a happy wag in response.
Lyssa
Hi Alyssa ,
ReplyDeleteHope knightley is improving on the antibiotics ,and good health to you both .
I enjoy reading about his continuing excellant progress and he is a great addition to the family in every way possible .
keep up the good work you are doing .
from a big fan in the uk GWEN X
Hi Gwen!
DeleteHe is improving, but I am looking forward to the lump disappearing totally, then I can relax. Knightley is really lovely to have around, we both get along really well with him and he has turned us into a family. I can't wait until you can meet him, I guess he will be fully grown when you do! Hope everything is well with you all.
From here downunder, Alyssa
Hi Lyssa, I accidently found your blog this morning. I"m also from Canberra and have an assistance dog. She has passed her public access test so I have been taking her to the shops etc. We even went to the theatre. But it is still constant training with the dogs as you would know. She is an owner trained dog ( so I've done all the training) but I do go to dog school too as she likes to learn and also have play time with the other dogs. Just wanted to pop in and say your pup is gorgeous.
DeleteHi Lyssa,
DeleteIts been wonderful reading your blog. I too am from Canberra and have an assistance dog.
Your Knightley sounds like a very good boy :-)
Hi Miss!
DeleteGreat to hear you are from Canberra! If you happen to read this message, I would love to have a chat with you about having an assistance dog here. And he is a good boy... most of the time! :)
Cheers
Lyssa
Hi lyssa just read your latest blog and it certainly is difficult for them to result the food but don't be too hard. while my dog has passed the public access test i still practice with her all the time. the other day we went to the movies and she wriggled around too much for my liking but i try to not let it get me down. dogs sometimes have their bad days and whilst not perfect all the time they generally are much better behaved then the average pet would be.
ReplyDeletealso don't stress bout him giving out a bark at the airport.
Hope your feeling a bit better after the shop incident and im very glad that knightly was so good.
Hey miss,
DeleteI'm pretty exhausted after the weekend, but not as bad as the shop incident. I have no idea how Knightley would go at the movies, but wouldn't want to try it for a good while yet! Probably not until he is fully trained. While I do stress out about things like the bark at the airport I do try to keep in mind he is far ahead of pet dogs at 8.5 months old. He's doing well and I just need to try to take it slowly and not expect more than a puppy his age can give. What's your dog's name? How old is she? How long has she been actually working? It's really nice to have a Canberran with an assistance dog on here!!
Alyssa
Hi Lyssa
ReplyDeleteI stumbled on your website and Bsite while checking my site. I have a diabetic alert assistance dog. I have had two other DAD but only to use at home (especially for night time hypos. The pup I have now is 7 months old and is going to be homes with another man in a few weeks. He Gillie the pup is alerting low BGL relaibly and is behaving very well in training. He is going to work, meetings and all shopping outings with me and is great. At the moment the only negative is when I am busy at work and he falls asleep on the job! He is 7 months today so he still has a lot of growing up and growing to do. I have an "in training' vest that a friend scorced from overseas. But I like yours better. I emailed you via your website about making one with more mesh on it and a couple of pockets...If you dont get it let me know and I will repost pricatly. I love your temperament test I have always just used the Volhard but found some things in it less useful than others. Once Gillie goes to his new home I will start training Mugla the next pup who is currently 14 weeks and basicially just had good overall obedience and home manners so far. I want to start him on the hypo alerting ASAP, it is wonderful knowing I can sleep soundly because I will be woken if my levels go low.
Ruth South Australia
Hi Ruth, I'm away for the weekend but have received both your messages. We would be delighted to make as many vests for you as you desire, in whatever styles seem appropriate. We have wanted to make a new bigger summer vest similar to the belly band with the mesh so this is a good opportunity. If you'd like to send an email to info (at) ozworkingdogs (dot) com (dot) au, then we can discuss it further. Looking forward to chatting!! - Alyssa
DeleteHi Lyssa, I was excited to see that you're another Canberran. I have been having a few problems in public with my assistance dog and I think some of your patches will help a great deal, especially the "in training", "please ask to pet" and "not every disability is obvious" styles. We just got our public access licence about 3 weeks ago and have been to all sorts of places that I would otherwise find hard to go to, including the National Gallery, the National Library, shopping malls and Wooolies! Many people either challenge our access or interact with Pinot without asking. I understand why; she looks like a miniature Border Collie puppy and I have no visible disability. Best of luck with your training too. Cheers, Dizzy
ReplyDeleteHi Lyssa, you don't know me but I've put in an order for products via your OzWorkingDogs site. I've also seen you on facebook and have noticed that you seem to be a bit behind with orders. I have my own business too and know what it's like running a business with a medical condition. I'm not in Canberra but are you ok and is there any way I could assist you in dealing with orders e.g. contacting clients etc. I know this may seem strange coming from a stranger but it's just that I know how quickly things can get out of hand with a new business and especially if you're balancing it with a medical condition. My business website is bestfriendtherapies.com.au. Please let me know if I can help. Abbey
ReplyDeleteHi Lyssa. I just stumbled upon your blog and thought I might reach out. I have started a registry and advocacy service for owner-trainers so that we can have a voice in the changes that are happening around access laws and other legislation. There is a strong push currently to only allow access to assistance dogs that belong to an organisation. If you are interested, please join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/225039444594210/
ReplyDeleteHi Lyssa! I'm from Canberra and have started self training a service dog and as you're aware the laws are hard to navigate. I was wondering if you were available at all to email about how you went? Fiona
ReplyDelete