From UPREP Jr. High Spy paper

Joey Decker
Reporter

Mainly because of his four legged stance and abundant fur, there is a new student at U-Prep who doesn’t really fit in with the crowd.  Our new addition is a yellow Labrador retriever named Dagwood. 

Much like a foreign exchange student, Dagwood isn’t from the U.S; he migrated here from New Zealand to become a guide dog and live with his trainer, Rachel Hoblin (7).

When the Hoblin’s picked up Dagwoodat Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael the only command he knew was sit.  “He had a little problem not hearing the New Zealand accent,” added Dustin Hoblin (10).  The Hoblin’s became involved with this program when they heard about it through the local Sunrise Rotary Club.

Dagwood has to follow strict rules in his training.  He also came with a book of rules as thick as a text book.  Dagwood will receive about 14 months of training then he will be taken to a training center in San Rafael where certified dog trainers will teach Dagwood guide skills that the Hoblin’s couldn’t.  If he fails he will be sent back to Rachel and will have to come back at a later time.  Another possibility is that he could pass, but also have a health problem that could keep him from being a guide dog, such as hip problems, and will have to change his career.  Dagwood could also possibly become a dog used in the breeding of other guide dogs.

Rachel tries to take Dagwood everywhere with her in order to socialize him with other people and animals.  This is beneficial for him so he is familiar with his surroundings. When she can’t take him he can be found chewing on a bone in his crate at the Hoblin’s residence since he is too young to be left outside all day.  Dagwood is still too young to make full day trips to school, so until he matures he will only be at U-Prep on minimum days.  “I think this will be a very enjoyable trip with Dagwood,” stated Rachel.