gsdog2 Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Woo Hoo! I met the little sweetie RAAF-U-Dog on the Stradbroke Island vehicle barge 'Big Red Cat' this morning ❤ Hi gsdog2 Lovely to have met a fellow DOLer and show-off my foster - as you can see he's a VERY friendly boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Do you have to do any kind of preparation with him or just let him be a puppy until he gets returned? Yes, they do want them to experience a "normal" life while living with you . But, they also supply you with two balls which are purely for training (not to be left in the yard) and they ask you to play the "two ball game". It took him a little time to figure it out until I brought my ball-driven GSD into the mix and he soon figured out what was required - now he's as crazy for the ball as she is They also gave me two handtowels to play tug with him - allowing him to win and run away with the rag and then bring out the second rag and play the tug game again. I have my own tugs (linen, so suitable for puppy) and they have allowed me to use them instead. They also ask you to walk them twice each day totalling:- 3mths = 3kms daily 4mths = 4kms daily 5mths = 5kms daily 6mths = 6kms daily When walking them they ask you to expose them to as many different experiences as possible such as shopping ctrs, parks, sports, train stations etc ...... anything you can think of such as the ferry ride to the beach at Stradbroke Island as Boronia mentioned above. It sounds like a lot, but really once you get yourself into a routine it's not and it's definately a great way to get fit ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 The last few months with my lovely foster have passed so quickly and before I realised it, it was time for him to return to the base and start the hard work. This pic was taken of the two of us last week playing with his most favourite thing ......... THE BALL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
german_shep_fan Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Just beautiful! I just LOVE the working GSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacqui835 Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Aww he looks lovely... Has he left you now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 What a striking looking dog! Awww are you sad to see him go? Are you going to get another one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Wow he is lovely gsdog2! Sounds like you've done a great job with him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 this thread is wonderful reading what a beautiful puppy he is :D how are you feeling about saying goodbye? The thing that has most surprised me is the amount of walking you have to do, as so often you hear that with large breeds you should only be walking them very short distances. I wonder if its to do with the working lines being hardier, or just whether the socialisation of it is worth the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Looks like an amazing experience. Will you do it again? Did they have strict requirements to become a carer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 He went back yesterday, so now the 'hard' work begins although I'm sure as far as he's concerned this is when the fun starts I'm a little sad to see him go but I made a point of not bonding with him - almost treating the experience as voluntary work. I look at his stay with us as a very small part of his overall training and my job was to make sure he experienced as many different scenarios as possible in that time. He's a working dog so there hasn't been a lot of affection from him, although that was starting to change a little over the last couple of weeks (so it really was better that he returned now). I've loved having him and he did get on well with my other two dogs, so his stay has been a hugely positive experience for all of us My liaison officer has told me I'm welcome to ring him in a couple of months time and he'll let me know how my foster is progressing, which I will do. If he is successful and looks like he will graduate I think I will foster another MWD pup, but if he doesn't I'm not so sure I will. I've put in a lot of time with him and I really hope it hasn't all been for nothing - as in he'll just end up as someone's pet he graduates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 this thread is wonderful reading what a beautiful puppy he is :D how are you feeling about saying goodbye? The thing that has most surprised me is the amount of walking you have to do, as so often you hear that with large breeds you should only be walking them very short distances. I wonder if its to do with the working lines being hardier, or just whether the socialisation of it is worth the risk. Exactly!!! That's what I've always been told too. The difference is the breeding - he is a working breed (definitely built for strength). And you're right - the socialisation is VERY important too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 Looks like an amazing experience. Will you do it again? Did they have strict requirements to become a carer? No, not at all - the took me on as a carer They will check your house and yard first - and I don't think they take anyone with very young children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirawee Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Thanks for sharing! Please make sure you update us with how he is going in his new job when you enquire As for it being "all for nothing" if he turns out unsuitable and has to go as a pet... how many pets do you think get the kind of grounding he has had! As long as he goes to a home that keeps him active you will have given them a very well rounded dog ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 (edited) Thanks for sharing! Please make sure you update us with how he is going in his new job when you enquire As for it being "all for nothing" if he turns out unsuitable and has to go as a pet... how many pets do you think get the kind of grounding he has had! As long as he goes to a home that keeps him active you will have given them a very well rounded dog ;) And that's my big fear and one of the reasons I never became a breeder (had the prefix but never used it), I worry about what type of home he will end up in. I'm not sure if the RAAF will be as picky as I would be with regard to the 'right' forever home for him. ETA and yes as soon as I find out how he's going I'll let you know ;) Edited November 25, 2011 by gsdog2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirawee Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 True But you would expect the RAAF would take care given they would know what the dogs are like Out of interest, do you know what the fail rate is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 (edited) True But you would expect the RAAF would take care given they would know what the dogs are like Out of interest, do you know what the fail rate is? I'm not completely sure of the fail rate - so probably best that I don't guess Apparently he will be assessed over the next couple of months to see which he's most suited for:- Army, RAAF or Corrective Services Edited November 25, 2011 by gsdog2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angeluca Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Was this a one off arrangement or will you consider raising and training another military puppy? Or was the goodbye too much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 Was this a one off arrangement or will you consider raising and training another military puppy? Or was the goodbye too much? What a great question - because it really came down to how I went with the goodbye as to whether I would do it again. So for the last week I have been preparing myself for yesterday as in reminding myself he's not (and never was) my dog, starting to distance myself from him (not too much time on our own), remembering why I volunteered for this (which selfishly included finding out what a working dog was like and how the pro's train them) and that the base is where his life started so it's not new to him. Also (hopefully) he's going to have a very exciting life and a great relationship with his handler. So, keeping all that in mind and promising myself if I could get through saying goodbye to him without ending up a blubbering mess, I would seriously consider doing it again. And guess what? I did get through without one tear - this was also for my foster as I'm sure dogs know when a person's upset and I didn't want to add to what was going to be a huge day for him anyway. So after the long answer to your question - yes, I think I'll do it again, maybe not tomorrow but possibly next year some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 (edited) I'm glad you'd consider doing it again. He looks gorgeous & ready for work in that last photo. He'll surely do well. Some time back, they had a segment on TV about the RAAF fostering program & they talked about foster-carers who'd come back, again & again. One young woman was a news-reader for one of the Brisbane TV channels. She & her husband have had quite a few thro' their hands. Edited November 25, 2011 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 I'm glad you'd consider doing it again. He looks gorgeous & ready for work in that last photo. He'll surely do well. Some time back, they had a segment on TV about the RAAF fostering program & they talked about foster-carers who'd come back, again & again. One young woman was a news-reader for one of the Brisbane TV channels. She & her husband have had quite a few thro' their hands. There's one lady there with her 19th foster - that's dedication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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