Guide Dog Pup, Tyson

Guide Dog Pup Tyson arrived in Tasmania in June 2018, along with his sister Gemma. He was a media star on day 1, with television crews filming his and his sister’s first meeting with their respective Puppy Raisers at the Guide Dogs Tasmania office! A gorgeous, golden boy, we can’t wait to see how Tyson progresses in his Guide Dog journey.

Welcome, Tyson!

Tyson’s doggy-bloggy:

December 2018

They told me I had a long tail for my size when I arrived. Well, my body has caught up with my tail and now when I stretch out I can reach almost half way across a train carriage!

Which reminds me, my Puppy Raisers took me on a big trip to Melbourne and Bendigo recentlty. I think I behaved very well travelling in an RV and a big boat where I got to sleep in a cabin alongside my Puppy Raisers (on the floor, of course). I met two of the grandchildren and had a lot of fun with them! I had to try to remember not to jump all over them with excitement though!

I visited the Melbourne Zoo, where the sounds and smells there were all new to me. I also travelled on public transport into the Melbourne CBD on a Friday night. There were people every where, and all in a hurry – it was all bit overwhelming but I managed with a little encouragement. That evening, we went to a French restaurant where I got special treatment because I was so well behaved.

I have grown too big for the crate so I now sleep on a trampoline bed and must wait for the alarm before I get up. I now wear the largest coat because I have grown so big! I’ve discovered my tail and I have a lot of fun chasing it.

At night it is very confusing. I discovered another puppy that I can not smell or touch, and when I bark, he does’t respond. But he does all the same things I do and lives in the windows and looks just like me.

I get to go on lots of walks at places like Kingston Beach, Trail Bay, and I’ve even gone to watch the swimmers at the Hobart Aquatic Centre.

I have been practising all the things I learnt at the Guide Dog Sessions.

I had a trip to the vet and slept most of the day, and walked really funny after the big snip.

I’ve also learnt that I get treats when I return on the whistle. Surprisingly, I am really good at that! I am also learning that I don’t have to jump when meeting new people or dogs. Pretty good for a seven month old puppy!

What’s better than a walk? A walk on a BEACH!

But a snooze afterwards is always needed….

September 2018

I met my new Puppy Raisers and moved into their house on the first of June. I settled in fairly smoothly; the first night I stayed quietly in my crate until the Puppy Raisers were ready to get up to me. Then I enjoyed checking out the new place inside and out! Inside there were certain places that I was discouraged from exploring, such as the sewing room and in the main walk in wardrobe (the shoes were so tempting!). Outside, there were grassy areas, a cacti garden and some great tall grasses and shrubs to try to hide in.

Soon after arrival, I got to be the center of attention, starring in a photo shoot with my sister at the Botanical Gardens. Kirsty, the amazing photographer, asked us to sit very still among a number of different plants and then someone made funny noises that intrigued us so much that we looked inquisitively at the camera. Then we just couldn’t control ourselves any longer and would run towards them, before being asked to go back and sit all over again. After a while I got sleepy, and then the sitting part was much easier for me. Don’t you think my photos are great??!!

Then the social activities began… Coffee, walks around the shopping center, visits to the vet and a big drive to Devonport and back all in one day. I wanted to help the carpet installers the day they arrived, but they were too busy! I have also met some of the neighbours, and the greyhounds Hazel and Nelson. They are only slightly curious about me. There is also Lily, the black Labrador. She likes to see me, but the birds, chickens, ducks and wallabies don’t seem very interested at all.  The neighborhood has so many new and interesting sounds and smells, it is great for a puppy to explore.

I have also gone on longer walks, like my walk at Trial Bay, which is a good spot to “meet and greet” humans and other dogs. I really like going to Kingston Beach too, as there are so many other dogs of all sizes. But my most enjoyable place to go is the Guide Dogs Tas training sessions, where I get to catch up with my sister and some of the older pups.

Recently, while my Puppy Raiser had some surgery, I went to a Boarding family. Wow, this was great! I got to experience a new house and new handlers, which will all help me to become nice and adaptable – an important trait for a Guide Dog puppy. They even had a pet dog, so I got a full time playmate while I was staying there. The Boarding family took me on lots of adventures to new places, and I enjoyed some lovely coffee outings with them.

When I returned to my Puppy Raisers, there was something new for me to learn about. One of them suddenly had four legs! Two were long, thin metal ones that they called ‘crutches’. I was intrigued with these, and learnt very quickly to walk a little slower and take some extra care around him.

Life is good for a puppy. The training can be a little challenging, but I am getting it right which is the main thing.

My name is Tyson. People say I look like a little polar bear cub!

I was a bit sleepy when I first met my Puppy Raisers!