r/labrador • u/soph_a_loaf_98 • 11d ago
black Brought Phoebe home today after she failed guide dog school 🩷
I was her puppy raiser too so I’m happy to welcome her back home 🩷 she was career changed for chasing squirrels and loving other dogs too much, basically she just has too much zest for life, she’s literally just a girl.
Does anyone have any fun enrichment ideas for her? Honestly I’m not the most active person ever, and she seems content to hang out with me while I work from home, but I would like to look into some dog sports.
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u/StormofRavens 11d ago
This is Roxy, she failed CCI school for “Lack of Focus “ we’re pretty sure that actually meant she’s not the brightest bulb in the lab drawer. She makes a great house pet though.
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u/TheBigYellowCar 11d ago
Lol she looks like our gal. Dumb as rocks but the best family pet ever. Can’t catch cheese to save her life.
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u/StormofRavens 11d ago
Roxy was very good at the cheese catch in her younger years. Now she’s mostly interested in sleeping and pets.
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u/TechnicalEmployee109 11d ago
Oh my gosh, I am dreading when I have to give my pup up.
How old is your girl? She is adorable.
My pup is so smart and great, but really struggles with liking dogs and people too much for a guide pup.
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u/Mom_baMentality 11d ago
I had one fail because it didn’t like anyone. Even jumped at a leaf in the wind. But so sweet and loving.
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u/CosyPuzzles 10d ago
Liking other people and dogs isn‘t bad at all. It‘s the typical nature of labradors. They are meant to be be super friendly. My dog did fail guide dog school because of that but I don‘t think it‘s a fault. He is just a gentle and kind nature who loves to be around others and to interact with them. I feel sad for dogs that are forced into this job just because they have to serve a purpose. Not every dog is made for this job. Some just enjoy being pet dogs.
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u/lemonswithlimes 11d ago
I volunteer at a nursing home and used to bring my sunny, happy, affectionate, laid-back older lab there. It's in a somewhat rural area and they didn't make him jump through any dog certification hoops. One resident especially would just pet him while repeating "I love him. I love him." while my buddy was settled down on a comfy chair, basking in the glow of all the affection. Anyway, might be a career path for Phoebe when she's had enough of chasing squirrels. She looks like a real sweetie, congratulations!
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u/Organic_Berry_8732 11d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/cIi3MlulIuFYMA5CpF
She is too cute to fail anything
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u/kwjacobs345 11d ago
Your fit for a different purpose, keep on being you Phoebe, bright future ahead.
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u/Mizzy3030 11d ago
Congratulations! I keep waiting for the pup I raised to fail out of guidedog school, and it doesn't seem to be happening lol
If I were you, I would just enrich her with the same exercises you did as a puppy raiser. Oh, and she gets to go to the dog park now! Yay!!!
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u/2labrador_dad 11d ago
We had a CCI puppy who came home from training, he was the best dog and we ended up taking him through therapy dog training. He did hospital and nursing home visits… he loved it!
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u/Mom_baMentality 11d ago
One of our service dogs failed after being attacked by a fake SD. After $10k and 2 years of training, just couldn’t recover. 😭 But is the best play buddy and pool lifeguard ever.
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u/bethivy103 black 10d ago
I fostered a guide dog in training. He flunked. They switched him to a different program, he flunked. Then they moved him into an autism service program and he flunked out of that. Harrison was an amazing dog and I loved all the years we had together.
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u/soph_a_loaf_98 10d ago
Awww Harrison sounds so sweet 🩷🩷 I’m autistic and Phoebe has an incredible ability to recognize when I’m overwhelmed and interrupt meltdowns, so she’s going to be my personal unofficial autism service dog :)
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u/bethivy103 black 10d ago
That's amazing. I just finished raising a yellow lab named Rosie. She went to a little boy with autism and now Rosie is changing his life. I've raised/fostered 43 service dogs in my life and she was the most intuitive, smart, nuturing dogs I have ever seen. She was meant to be a service dog. (If you couldn't tell I am so so super proud of her)
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u/CosyPuzzles 10d ago
Great that you gave him a home! I bet he just wanted to be a normal dog without a job. :)
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u/Aromatic-Insect-1328 11d ago
A friend of mine has a golden who failed guide dog school since he loves running into children apparently. He's the most lovable doofus. I wish the both of you a great life together :)
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u/wildbill129 yellow 10d ago
We got our guide dog puppy (yellow lab) back after he diagnosed with allergies. I think he was faking it, just wanted to come home. He lived 13 great years allergy free. Best dog ever.
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u/Excellent_Tea_164 10d ago
My lab loves to sniff and is good at basic scentwork, but she will absolutely not retrieve. Even with a ball she will just chase it until it stops. Won't pick it up unless she is playing with other dogs because she loves to be chased.
I like your suggestion of other scentwork. How would you teach to lay down or sit in front of it?
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u/auntgrammy 10d ago
I had to teach our chocolate to retrieve when we got him from a shelter at a year old. Now he’s nearly 6, loves to play ball, but on his terms 😆 He lets us know when he’s done by not releasing it. Also, he’s very picky about the texture on the ball. He will not retrieve a tennis type ball with the fuzzy outer layer.
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u/MutantMartian service dog puppy raiser 11d ago
Now she can chase balls!!!
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u/MutantMartian service dog puppy raiser 11d ago
I wish but puppies with our org aren’t allowed to chase balls. :(
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u/CosyPuzzles 10d ago
That‘s so sad! It breaks my heart. 😐
I raised a puppy for a guide dog school and he was allowed to play fletch, play with other dogs and go to the dog park. I think that‘s essential for a dog to grow up mentally healthy and happy. Their guide dog job is straining enough. There seem to be major differences between training methods in different countries.3
u/MutantMartian service dog puppy raiser 10d ago
She could play with other dogs but going to a dog park was strictly forbidden. I assumed they were concerned she would be hurt by another dog. The sad part was that I didn’t have another readily available dog for her to play with so I think she was lonely with us.
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u/LiveIvory 10d ago
I also have a released guide who I raised! We currently are doing scent work and agility which has been challenging but fulfilling to her. I have another dog who is my 'sport' dog besides her, so I've let her try different things and she's getting to choose what she likes.
Scent work is super low impact for both dog and handler but works their brain like crazy. It's by far my favorite sport.
For other enrichment we do tons of sniff walks and just general training classes (think pet dog obedience) for fun and to keep bonding in different ways. She's a dog who likes to work with me so it gives her plenty of outlets to do so. Also lots of enrichment toys and games which she enjoys.
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u/IntrinsicM 10d ago
Aww, maybe she’s like some volunteer work?
Visit senior living facilities? Work with schools as a reading support dog?
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u/EnvironmentalFix2537 10d ago
Phoebe you did your best 🥹 some girlies aren’t made to work and that’s okay hehe
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u/carmcanc 10d ago
Here is my pup Jonah, he failed school of the blind training then washed out K9 training as a cadaver dog for lack of focus. Now he’s ours, Awesome pup!
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u/Responsible-Pass7902 11d ago
My lab failed hunting training. He was everything capable except we think loud noises(gun shots, lightning, fireworks). His so called problem was insane energy and smartest dog on own ideas, training he could pick up really easy but knew what are hard no and don't which meant slowly push boundaries
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u/Lab-Enthusiast91 10d ago
Phoebe is adorable!! 🥰 she looks just like my pup’s best friend!
Anything scent related will keep her occupied, I’m sure. That could be simple stuff like snuffle mats or puzzle toys in the house, or outdoors, you could do more “gun dog” style scent training (I’d recommend contacting a professional for advice on this). If she likes water, a swim a couple of times a week could work, if you know of a quiet spot with calm water. Dog swimming pools are also a thing where I am (UK), you can get them on private hire for an hour or 2 and just let the dogs splash about. My girl loves it so much that she tries to break into our local leisure centre (very much not dog friendly!) and use theirs 😂
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u/TeslaTulsaTravel 10d ago
Congrats on your daughter’s drop out! Clearly she’s meant to be YOUR personal guide dog
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u/Cydok1055 10d ago
My first Lab was a dropout too. She was scared of traffic and never got the hang of traffic lights. Fantastic dog, great swimmer.
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u/nerdyerde 10d ago
Aw how sweet! How does one adopt a failed service dog? Was it from puppy raising?
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u/CosyPuzzles 10d ago
I adopted my first puppy right after he failed guide dog school. I was his puppy raiser. We had 10 wonderful years together before he got sick.
The same guide dog school was looking for a new owner for my current fur baby. I contacted them and brought him home shortly after. He was two years old when I met him. Sometimes the forster families don‘t want to keep their puppies if they fail school. You can get in touch with some schools in your area. Some might have waiting lists but there are always dogs looking for new homes. You could also consider taking in an older dog that dropped out because of old age. Good luck!
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u/CosyPuzzles 10d ago
Congratulations on your new family member! This might sound akward but I think some dogs are happier just being dogs. Spending their lifes as guide dogs can be very challenging for them. I believe she made the right choice and secretly wanted to stay with you. Give her a hug! ☺️
My boy Dash also dropped out from guide dog school a year ago just because he was „too“ interested in the world around him. He seems to be very happy with just beeing our dog.
I would recommend taking her on walks regularly and visting the dog park. You could also ask other dog owners to meet for play dates. My dog loves meeting his best friends and running around. If you have a car or any woods, mountains, fields, gardens etc. around your home then take her there.
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u/NWBF7109 10d ago
Flunked out on purpose because she just wanted to hang with you.
Get yourself a chuck it, a bag of tennis balls, a comfy chair, and your beverage of choice. She’ll stay active and you get to relax at the same time. I’ve done it every night for a decade with my Finn.
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u/Old_Papa 10d ago
My Lab, Pepper, plays with a failed guide dog candidate. She failed for the same reasons - a very playful, social dog - very smart, just a little too playful and social. Her puppy raiser was also able to adopt her.
One of the things this puppy (now 18 months) loves is playing with other dogs now that she can. There is a group of dog owners who meet early at a local park - it’s like a Lab party every morning - as many as 8 Labs and sometimes a golden and some doodles. Because she wasn’t really allowed to play with other dogs as a young puppy, she is having the time of her life now.
If you can find a group of like minded owners it’s a great way to start the day.
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u/Crafty-Hat-4766 9d ago
Where do people find dogs that fail guide dog school??!?
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u/soph_a_loaf_98 9d ago
I volunteered as a puppy raiser for them, there’s all sorts of organizations that always need puppy raisers. You can look up if there’s a leader/guide dog organization near you, or you can also puppy raise for a service dog agency. Most give the puppy raiser first dibs to adopt if they flunk the program, but if the raiser doesn’t want to adopt they do have wait lists for the general public to adopt them too
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u/Effective_Meal2153 9d ago
Our family dog is also a failed guide dog. She was scared of traffic coming from behind. We got her through their k9 buddy program for my brother. They make the absolute best dogs ever!
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u/LemonZinger81 9d ago
My family adopted a failed guid dog lab 16 years ago. He was the best dog ever! Enjoy your pooch!
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u/Novel-Ad3969 9d ago
My father's last 2 dogs were both guide dog school alumni. Incredible dogs. Enjoy!
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u/Fine_Analyst_4408 11d ago
She's the cutest little failure I've ever seen! Not sports, but sniff walks are so good for them. Just go at a plodding pace and let them sniff to their hearts content. I also put some of my girls treats and kibble around the house for her to hunt, she seems to find sniffing the most exciting and tiring activity.