PAWS November – Experiences of a Puppy Walker

Nearly 40 members and 8 visitors came along to our November meeting to meet Angus and his Puppy Walker Marjory Culham. Marjory has worked with 23 dogs on behalf of Guide Dogs for the Blind and explained how it all works. Guide Dogs for the Blind are the largest dog breeders with 250 brood bitches. Puppies are weaned at six and half weeks old at the centre in Warwickshire before going to their “Puppy Walkers” who will look after them until they are 12/14 months old before they then go on to full training at Woodford Green where the real work begins. She explained how she taught them to be house trained (busy or big busy being the terms used) and learning to respond to their name as well as learning skills like using stairs, lifts, going to church, shopping etc. It was important that the puppies got used to different environments and noises. There is a 70% success rate in the dogs being trained with some not making the grade and being rehomed with other departments or the general public. She herself has a Labrador who wasn’t successful as a Guide Dog. There were lots of questions at the end as everyone was interested in this wonderful charity.

There is no meeting in December but we have Christmas Dinner on 9^th December at Clarice House in Colchester. So it only remains for the committee to wish all our members and loyal visitors a Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Our next get together is January 27^th when we welcome back our speaker John Lilley “The Storyteller”. Membership is closed but visitors are welcome at a cost of £5.00 which includes refreshments.

Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring one of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510, Jane Banks 01206 735004 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.