Pups Update

Hi Folks,

From time to time me and the Travis Trek team are asked by you kind donors and supporters about how the pups you have all kindly helped sponsor are progressing in their Guide Dog careers. The team were recently sent an email update on Condor from his trainer, Gill Elder up at the Forfar training centre. I’ve pasted the email below for you all to read, hope you all enjoy! Many thanks to Gill for taking the time to update us all, very much appreciated!

Woof woof

Trav


“Now that Condor has been in training for 10 weeks, I thought you'd like
to hear how he is getting on here at Forfar Training Centre.
Condor settled into his new kennel environment and routines straight
away and has really been no bother at all. He is so willing and genuine
with his work that he has been really easy to train. He tries very hard
to please and is keen to get things right. Condor is very laid back and
nothing fazes him much but he does have a slight sensitive side to him
so I have to be careful not to be too hard on him if he makes a mistake!
The speed that Condor walks at when he is working is quite hard to
explain as he is a very long bodied dog! To look at him you would think
that he's just plodding along, but because his strides are so wide he
fairly covers the ground so I've described him as a Mod pace. I have him
in a B type handle not because he lacks in tension, but just so that I
can get up on his head and shoulders and keep up with him!
Condor hasn't really suffered from any major distractions, in fact he
has been slightly negative with other dogs we meet while working. He
concentrates well and is very focussed on me. He does benefit from
supportive handling and I don't think he would cope if someone was too
hard on him, (not that you ever need to be mind you). He is a very
conscientious dog and is great at showing caution in narrow conditions.
Although he has only been in for 10 weeks, I would be more than happy to
do a blindfold walk with him.
Condor's social behaviour is of an excellent standard. His Puppy Walkers
Joyce and Bill really have done a good job, hopefully they'll see how
their hard work has paid off when they come to visit him next week. His
obedience is so nice that I always pick him if I'm doing a demo at the
centre for visitors because I know he won't show me up!! His recall has
never been a problem and he is always a real gent when we're out for
coffee and members of the public speak to him.
He is sharing a kennel with one of my other dogs Bliss, who I believe
you know of. She was Puppy Walked by Ian and Veda Stewart who have done
so well with her they need a medal! She is a completely different dog
from Condor it's unreal! As you know she is small and black whereas
Condor is big and white. She is a very bright little dog with a high
drive and walks at a fast pace with very firm tension. She needs to be
on the go the whole time doing something or going somewhere, but
Condor's happy as long as you are! I must say I'm very attached to both
of them as they are the nicest dogs I've trained in a long time -
they'll be missed when they move on that's for sure!
Condor's brother Pip is also in the same kennel block as him which can
be very confusing as they look identical. In fact, yes I have mixed them
up and taken Pip out to work and wondered why he wouldn't do a thing he
was told!! He is quite similar to Condor but seems to have more
attitude, whereas Condor is so willing - an all-round nice guy!”
Well I hope I've kept you up to date with Condor's progress.