Part Two: ...Willie - THE REPLY (or "It Never Hurts To Ask")
Here's the reply I received from Willie's breeder.
It just goes to show that one should never think their options are limited when looking for a Service Dog candidate. Organizations are great for people who cannot train. But if you have the ability to do the training, this is a great example on how to find a suitable puppy to work with.
I just hope you are as bless as I was in finding a wonderful and generous breeder like I did.
The WillaWoman
Link to Part One
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The Reply from the Breeder
So glad that you found our website and enjoyed it! The answer to your question is yes, I do donate to service dog organizations and to individuals most especially. I am also a professional trainer, who does a little bit of everything. My specialties are behavior rehab, K9 training (I work with the Austin PD K9 Unit on occasion as a matter of fact!), and I have done some service and assistance dog training in the past.
I do not ever charge for this kind of work, nor will I charge for the dog/pup. Folks who need a service/assistance/guide dog usually have a whole lot of medical and living expenses to deal with to begin with. They certainly do NOT need to add to that a high price tag for a service dog, when it is quite obvious that the dog will make their lives a little easier for them! My Grandmother is in her early eighties now, she has been in a chair for over 50 years now because of severe rheumatoid arthritis. I know firsthand what a dog can do for folks like her, and like you.
You're right also about the bad part being that they can only work until they are about eight years old. Frankly that is the saddest part of what I do as a breeder and trainer. I always seem to outlive my "children" (they are my only kids), and that breaks my heart every time. But facts are facts, and you are being very wise and practical in thinking of getting a pup now. There are a couple of reasons: not only can the dog be fully trained and ready to work by the time your current service dog is retired to "couch potato" status ~grin~, but it's been my experience that when you bring a pup or young dog into that type of situation, the older dog tends to do much of your initial training and teach manners for you a whole lot quicker than we could ourselves!
Having said all of this, I do have pups still available in the two litters that I have on the ground at this time. I have two black males not reserved at this point in Becka and Voo's litter. As a behavior specialist who has also done some of the work that you will be requiring I will be able to help you test these pups to see which would be the most likely candidate.
If by some chance neither would work out, you and I can work together to find another, possibly from a litter I have coming up this fall. The pups are 4 weeks right now, and they will not be temperament tested until they are seven weeks old. Up until that time I do not allow people to make their choices on which pup they would like. At this point in time, there is only one male that is leaving to go to a pet home, one that is staying here as a breeding/show prospect and one that was a preemie and will not be leaving here at all. I will more than likely be keeping the "hardest headed" one if he turns out to be the best conformationally speaking. That is the one you would definitely NOT want! ~G~
There are no fraidy cats in this litter, and no wallflowers or total bullheads though. They have attitude but are very human oriented. They are actually sitting right next to me in their pen as I type this. They are all raised in our home and they get lots and lots of attention and human contact.
I take it as a matter of "professional pride" that the comments I hear the must about my puppies from their new owners is how easily the adjust, potty train, crate train, and how they want to learn. I truly feel that this is due to my efforts with them when they are with me until eight weeks of age. I work with them on learning to be paper-trained, crate-trained, well socialized and learning to come when called to, sit, etc. In other words I use "basic teaching" as an excuse to spend all my time with them! ~grin~
At any rate, I usually know my pups well enough by the time they are seven weeks old that the temperament testing never holds any surprises for me. I can usually rank them in my head before I ever do the exercises. (I use the Volhardt test, slightly modified with a few of my own exercises to gather a little more specific information as to where their strengths and weaknesses lie.)
At this point in time, almost four weeks, the two that I would say would be the ones that you should look at seriously are the yellow collared male and the black collared male. The black collared male was the largest in the litter, weighing in at a whopping 22oz! (avg weight is usually 14-16 oz.) He had a twin as well who didn't make it and was being reabsorbed in the uterus. As a result we had to do a c-section and I also ended up with two preemies who just didn't get the "vittles" they needed when they were gestating. They are coming along though, and seem to be thriving, thank goodness!
Anyway, the black collar male is beautiful, and he has a lovely personality. Very sweet and affectionate, laid back but fearless and curious about things around him. If he didn't have one small problem he wouldn't be leaving me. He has a small thin white line running down his chest. Although that is acceptable in the breed standard, it's not desirable, and not something that you would want to breed because he would most certainly throw it in his progeny.
I nicknamed him Stripe, and he stole my heart early on! Maybe that's a sign that he was meant to do something special like this!
So hey....I think we can probably help you out in this litter if you are interested! I'd like to speak with you by phone, and see about setting up an appointment for us to visit. I'd like to learn more about your situation personally, how you plan to train the pup for the job, etc., and see if I will be able to help you in any way with that part of it as well.
As a breeder, I make no money. If you do this right you don't make any money anyway. But I do get a paycheck and that happens every time I place one of my pups with someone like you, or with a police department, etc, where they are truly making a big positive difference in this world. I have narc dogs spread across the country, and I have several therapy and assistance/service dogs out there too. One in particular that I am very proud of is a yellow bitch that I sent to Minnesota last year who is now a therapy dog and works in a school with a teacher who works with mentally challenged children. THAT is the best paycheck that I could ever receive!
I also guaranty my dogs not only for their genetic health, but in situations like yours, I also guaranty them for the job they are supposed to do. The avg. percentages across the board are 1 out of five prospects who actually make it to certification level, so I hold no illusions that the first one out is definitely going to be able to do the job. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about there. We have to consider the fact that even though we test them as thoroughly as possible, that isn't a guaranty. That is why I also give them a working guaranty, and will replace them with another suitable candidate if, under proper training, they cannot make the grade.
Beyond everything, we want to make sure that you get not only a genetically sound pup, but the one who can do the job. And to make sure we get you that, we have to work together.
So, please feel free to call me at your convenience at the number below. You more than likely won't get me. I'm up to my ears in pups, and dogs, and spring chores, etc., so please leave me a message if you don't catch me, and leave your number and the best time/day to call you and I'll get back to you. I'll look forward to talking with you soon!
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It just goes to show that one should never think their options are limited when looking for a Service Dog candidate. Organizations are great for people who cannot train. But if you have the ability to do the training, this is a great example on how to find a suitable puppy to work with.
I just hope you are as bless as I was in finding a wonderful and generous breeder like I did.
The WillaWoman
Link to Part One
-------------------------------------------
The Reply from the Breeder
So glad that you found our website and enjoyed it! The answer to your question is yes, I do donate to service dog organizations and to individuals most especially. I am also a professional trainer, who does a little bit of everything. My specialties are behavior rehab, K9 training (I work with the Austin PD K9 Unit on occasion as a matter of fact!), and I have done some service and assistance dog training in the past.
I do not ever charge for this kind of work, nor will I charge for the dog/pup. Folks who need a service/assistance/guide dog usually have a whole lot of medical and living expenses to deal with to begin with. They certainly do NOT need to add to that a high price tag for a service dog, when it is quite obvious that the dog will make their lives a little easier for them! My Grandmother is in her early eighties now, she has been in a chair for over 50 years now because of severe rheumatoid arthritis. I know firsthand what a dog can do for folks like her, and like you.
You're right also about the bad part being that they can only work until they are about eight years old. Frankly that is the saddest part of what I do as a breeder and trainer. I always seem to outlive my "children" (they are my only kids), and that breaks my heart every time. But facts are facts, and you are being very wise and practical in thinking of getting a pup now. There are a couple of reasons: not only can the dog be fully trained and ready to work by the time your current service dog is retired to "couch potato" status ~grin~, but it's been my experience that when you bring a pup or young dog into that type of situation, the older dog tends to do much of your initial training and teach manners for you a whole lot quicker than we could ourselves!
Having said all of this, I do have pups still available in the two litters that I have on the ground at this time. I have two black males not reserved at this point in Becka and Voo's litter. As a behavior specialist who has also done some of the work that you will be requiring I will be able to help you test these pups to see which would be the most likely candidate.
If by some chance neither would work out, you and I can work together to find another, possibly from a litter I have coming up this fall. The pups are 4 weeks right now, and they will not be temperament tested until they are seven weeks old. Up until that time I do not allow people to make their choices on which pup they would like. At this point in time, there is only one male that is leaving to go to a pet home, one that is staying here as a breeding/show prospect and one that was a preemie and will not be leaving here at all. I will more than likely be keeping the "hardest headed" one if he turns out to be the best conformationally speaking. That is the one you would definitely NOT want! ~G~
There are no fraidy cats in this litter, and no wallflowers or total bullheads though. They have attitude but are very human oriented. They are actually sitting right next to me in their pen as I type this. They are all raised in our home and they get lots and lots of attention and human contact.
I take it as a matter of "professional pride" that the comments I hear the must about my puppies from their new owners is how easily the adjust, potty train, crate train, and how they want to learn. I truly feel that this is due to my efforts with them when they are with me until eight weeks of age. I work with them on learning to be paper-trained, crate-trained, well socialized and learning to come when called to, sit, etc. In other words I use "basic teaching" as an excuse to spend all my time with them! ~grin~
At any rate, I usually know my pups well enough by the time they are seven weeks old that the temperament testing never holds any surprises for me. I can usually rank them in my head before I ever do the exercises. (I use the Volhardt test, slightly modified with a few of my own exercises to gather a little more specific information as to where their strengths and weaknesses lie.)
At this point in time, almost four weeks, the two that I would say would be the ones that you should look at seriously are the yellow collared male and the black collared male. The black collared male was the largest in the litter, weighing in at a whopping 22oz! (avg weight is usually 14-16 oz.) He had a twin as well who didn't make it and was being reabsorbed in the uterus. As a result we had to do a c-section and I also ended up with two preemies who just didn't get the "vittles" they needed when they were gestating. They are coming along though, and seem to be thriving, thank goodness!
Anyway, the black collar male is beautiful, and he has a lovely personality. Very sweet and affectionate, laid back but fearless and curious about things around him. If he didn't have one small problem he wouldn't be leaving me. He has a small thin white line running down his chest. Although that is acceptable in the breed standard, it's not desirable, and not something that you would want to breed because he would most certainly throw it in his progeny.
I nicknamed him Stripe, and he stole my heart early on! Maybe that's a sign that he was meant to do something special like this!
So hey....I think we can probably help you out in this litter if you are interested! I'd like to speak with you by phone, and see about setting up an appointment for us to visit. I'd like to learn more about your situation personally, how you plan to train the pup for the job, etc., and see if I will be able to help you in any way with that part of it as well.
As a breeder, I make no money. If you do this right you don't make any money anyway. But I do get a paycheck and that happens every time I place one of my pups with someone like you, or with a police department, etc, where they are truly making a big positive difference in this world. I have narc dogs spread across the country, and I have several therapy and assistance/service dogs out there too. One in particular that I am very proud of is a yellow bitch that I sent to Minnesota last year who is now a therapy dog and works in a school with a teacher who works with mentally challenged children. THAT is the best paycheck that I could ever receive!
I also guaranty my dogs not only for their genetic health, but in situations like yours, I also guaranty them for the job they are supposed to do. The avg. percentages across the board are 1 out of five prospects who actually make it to certification level, so I hold no illusions that the first one out is definitely going to be able to do the job. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about there. We have to consider the fact that even though we test them as thoroughly as possible, that isn't a guaranty. That is why I also give them a working guaranty, and will replace them with another suitable candidate if, under proper training, they cannot make the grade.
Beyond everything, we want to make sure that you get not only a genetically sound pup, but the one who can do the job. And to make sure we get you that, we have to work together.
So, please feel free to call me at your convenience at the number below. You more than likely won't get me. I'm up to my ears in pups, and dogs, and spring chores, etc., so please leave me a message if you don't catch me, and leave your number and the best time/day to call you and I'll get back to you. I'll look forward to talking with you soon!
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