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Military Working Dog Puppy Program


gsdog2
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I'm thinking of becoming a carer - I live not far from the Amberley Base where they have a puppy care program and after speaking to them yesterday, so far I meet their criteria (even with two other dogs). Now I need to decide if I want to take the next step, but before doing so I'd like to find out from other carers what their experiences with this program have been like.

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I don't know anyone in the puppy carer program but I do have an aquaintance who's met the sharp end of one of the Amberley dogs.

As a young airman some years ago, he missed curfew and tried to sneak in to the base the back way with his mate. He got caught out by a security patrol and decided to make a run for it. Ignoring the warnings about the dog, he bolted.

BIG mistake.. :laugh:

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I don't know anyone in the puppy carer program but I do have an aquaintance who's met the sharp end of one of the Amberley dogs.

As a young airman some years ago, he missed curfew and tried to sneak in to the base the back way with his mate. He got caught out by a security patrol and decided to make a run for it. Ignoring the warnings about the dog, he bolted.

BIG mistake.. :laugh:

:rofl: ......my son used to work for Boeing (within Amberley Base) and he said they were always warned if someone yelled out to them to "STOP or I'll release my dog", you MUST STOP or suffer the consequences :eek:

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Good on you GSDog2!

I would love to do something like this, in saying that I currently have a pup staying with me and I don't think I want another one anytime soon :laugh: I came home yesterday afternoon and he had chewed the doorframe. :(

K&P - when I spoke to the guy yesterday he said they will come out to your house and "suggest" things you might want to move out of the way when you get your pup. Hmmmmmmm .... I'm guessing he means out of "chewing" way :laugh:

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Good on you GSDog2!

I would love to do something like this, in saying that I currently have a pup staying with me and I don't think I want another one anytime soon :laugh: I came home yesterday afternoon and he had chewed the doorframe. :(

K&P - when I spoke to the guy yesterday he said they will come out to your house and "suggest" things you might want to move out of the way when you get your pup. Hmmmmmmm .... I'm guessing he means out of "chewing" way :laugh:

My DH is a MWDH and he thanks you for all the time and effort you put into these pups, with you going through this process, it means less that he has to do on his end and means he can get on training his dog to do the job. One thing you have to remember about these puppies is they are working dogs, so have a lot of brains, so if bored they will find things to do "like chewing" ;) but the guys who come out to inspect your yard, will help you with all this. Thankyou, it's a brilliant thing your thinking of doing. Just go into it, with the knowledge, you have to give them back, don't get to attached. :thumbsup:

To those on about the biting, OOOOOHHHHH YEAH, I can't even go within 2m of my OH when he has his dog, me and his girl have a very love/hate relationship :rofl:

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My DH is a MWDH and he thanks you for all the time and effort you put into these pups, with you going through this process, it means less that he has to do on his end and means he can get on training his dog to do the job. One thing you have to remember about these puppies is they are working dogs, so have a lot of brains, so if bored they will find things to do "like chewing" ;) but the guys who come out to inspect your yard, will help you with all this. Thankyou, it's a brilliant thing your thinking of doing. Just go into it, with the knowledge, you have to give them back, don't get to attached. :thumbsup:

To those on about the biting, OOOOOHHHHH YEAH, I can't even go within 2m of my OH when he has his dog, me and his girl have a very love/hate relationship :rofl:

Pauchel that's so nice of you to say that :)

I'm aware that these pups are going to be very smart and very energetic but I'd like to think after having a number of shepherds and one Goldie and living on over an acre of land I'll more or less be prepared (as I can be anyway ;) ) . I'm allowed to take it to work (every second day) which is a very noisy mechanical repair workshop so that will help expose the pup to noisy environments. As I already have two dogs I'm hoping it will be "easier" when it comes time to give the pup back - that's my plan anyway :)

Edited by gsdog2
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. I'm allowed to take it to work (every second day) which is a very noisy mechanical repair workshop so that will help expose the pup to noisy environments.

Your pup would have been born at Amberley base with the sound of planes in the background. :) Piece of cake being in the workshop. Fantastic socialisation.

When I saw the RAAF puppies at the weekend, they were just as much enjoying being draped over women's shoulders & snoozing.

Before the RAAF had their own breeding program, friends of ours donated their young p/b shepherd to the RAAF. They were interstate a lot for work & their son went to boarding school. But they were invited to the ceremony where 'their' shepherd finally graduated. They've never forgotten that day. They said the 3 of them were just about bursting with pride that 'their' dog had succeeded in such a career.

I've attached a pic from the brochure the RAAF people were handing out to the public at the weekend, seeking new foster-carers. RAAF pup, in 'dress uniform' (looks just like the babies I saw):

http://www.dolforums.com.au/uploads/monthly_06_2011/post-3304-0-18783800-1309404003_thumb.jpg

post-3304-0-18783800-1309404003_thumb.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

Thought I'd add a quick update and introduce my MWD foster :thumbsup:

We're up to week three of his four month stay, and so far we're having a great time. He and my two other dogs have become great mates, he loves coming to work and so far he is literally "bomb" proof :laugh: Nothing upsets him and he's keen to investigate everything - I'm now discovering the difference between my showline GSD and my foster workingline GSD :)

post-10374-0-95369800-1314240570_thumb.jpg

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Thought I'd add a quick update and introduce my MWD foster :thumbsup:

We're up to week three of his four month stay, and so far we're having a great time.

You lucky duck, with such a cute & sensible foster. The Military puppies I saw on that weekend were just ready to go out to foster. I wouldn't be surprised if yours is one of them.

That's so great how he's started his 'working' life in your workshop. I bet the program coordinator was chuffed with everything on offer in your placement.

I hope this encourages other people to apply to foster.

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nice looker who bred it?

He was bred at the RAAF base (Amberley). They breed approx 80 puppies (Mal's and GSD's) a year apparently.

Mita thanks so much for giving me the incentive to get in touch with the RAAF, it's something I've thought about for a long time but never took it any further. I'm enjoying the experience so far and love learning how the Military use training in drive - I've been using it with my own GSD since the beginning of last year and I'm keen to learn more :)

ETA he's from "U" litter - I think the litter you would've seen would be the "T" litter?

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LOVELY puppy. . . . would love to know the bloodlines (as with Nekhbet). . . . sigh - guess I will just have to admire him as he is :D

Cairo1

Have to agree - he's a great puppy. I have no idea what his bloodlines are - I was told the RAAF keep the bitches from their own litters for breeding (if they show any promise).

As far as this boys bloodline is concerned they may have to go back a couple of generations, but now that the question has been asked I'll have to quiz my coordinator ;)

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  • 3 weeks later...

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