Frank Did It! Our Sponsored Pup Is Now a Fully Qualified Guide Dog

Well - here's the news we've all been waiting for - Frank is now a fully qualified guide dog! **Sounds of Celebration**

Franks trainers, Merry and Amanda tell us all about Franks final part of his training journey, and let us know about Franks partner, Andy.

The two settled in well straight away and Frank immediately made good friends with Andy's retired guide dog, Kiwi (what an adorable name!), they're the best of friends and they love playing games together and having a wonderful snuggle on the sofa at the end of a busy day, as well as cuddling either Andy, or his wife. (He must be the bestest of boys to gain so many snuggles on the sofa!). Kiwi isn't the only fur-friend that Frank has made in his new home, Andy has 2 cats, who have both been won over by Franks gentle charm.

Frank and Andy also formed a strong bond, and Andy described him as "such a lovely, loving and exuberant young dog, who is full of life".

Andy with Frank "Everyone knows Frank - he's a bit of a local celebrity!"

Like most things, building a new partnership can take time, and every dog an person is individual, so in the first year, trainers and handlers are hard at work to establish a strong partnership foundation.

Sometimes trainers work with just the guide dog to help them overcome any difficulties, but more often than not - they work with both the handler and pooch so that they can build up new skills and confidence together. Andy found a few areas that he felt he needed more support in, and it's always better to address something like this early on, instead of allowing it to grow into a bigger issue.

Franks main area of focus has been on his recall, Andy notices that the occasional distraction (the usual culprits for these distractions - other dogs, small animals and those tasty scraps of food left over on the floor). At the training centre, Merry and Amanda have been gradually increasing the level of temptation while helping Frank stay calm and focused on when he's being recalled. When working with both Andy and Frank, during the more interactive free run sessions, Andy will periodically call Frank back for a tasty treat (who wouldn't want to go back to get a delicious snack!

Image of Frank courtesy of Pupdate leaflet from Guide Dogs UK

Trainers have also been refreshing Franks training with up-kerbing, which is where they recognise the raised edge of a pavement at the end of a road or crossing, and signal their owner to let them know it's safe to step back onto the path.

Merry and Amanda's final words are that it's been a pleasure working with Frank they say "he's a confident, capable guide dog who wants to do his best for Andy. It's been lovely to accompany Frank and Andy on walks ad watch them both shine."

If you'd like to watch a video on Franks final pupdate, please follow this link - https://youtu.be/hrxZVTLqOPc

We love sponsoring Guide Dogs UK, and if you want to too, you can find out more at https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/donating/sponsor-a-puppy/ you would get regular pupdates for your dog, and you'll be able to know how they're doing with training.