[nagdu] Consumer report

[Mark J. Cadigan]

Thanks for your information. I would never construe stating the facts as you 
see them as program bashing. I to have observed GDB teams and feel as if 
they are some of the better trained teems I have seen around. Over the last 
2 years or so, I ask the handlers of well trained guide dogs what programs 
they are from and I consistently receive answers of Guiding Eyes for the 
Blind, The Seeing Eye, and Guide Dogs for the Blind. This is not to say that 
dogs from other programs are not well trained, or that my personal opinion 
of dog training is consistent with the opinion of others. Also, my 
observations only consist of dog teams I have observed personally so I don't 
have any point of reference for teams I haven't seen.

Hopefully there are enough qualified statements in this message, lol
Mark


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "The Pawpower Pack" <pawpower4me at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 7:19 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Consumer report


> Hi Mark,
>
> I'm now an owner trainer but got my first two dogs from GDB.  Keep in 
> mind this was eleven years ago.
> Their ownership policy has not changed; you do not own the dog upon 
> graduation, you must wait a year before applying for ownership, and  you 
> must have had one successful follow-up visit in order to qualify  for 
> ownership.  They can choose to grant ownership or not and I am not  sure 
> if the ownership document itself is conditional or not.
>
> I had a huge problem with this.  I also did not like the mandatory  yearly 
> follow-ups by instructors and felt like the program did not  trust me with 
> the dog and like my personal space was being invaded.   My dogs came with 
> several serious health conditions, however the  training was thorough and 
> they worked well.  I felt like some staff  treated me in a very custodial 
> fashion.  At GDB, you meet the puppy  raisers and have contact with them 
> if you choose.  I had a great  relationship with my first dog's raisers, 
> but not so much with raisers  for dog number two who seemed to be unable 
> to let go of the dog.  This  experience has changed my feelings about 
> raiser contact after  graduation.
>
> Because of these, and many other reasons, I chose not to go back.  In  the 
> future, when I require a program dog it will be from a place which  gives 
> immediate ownership and does not follow-up unless it is requested.
>
> Keep in mind that these are just my experiences.  Others have had  great 
> experiences with GDB and other schools.  It is my desire to  share in an 
> open and honest way, not to program bash.
> Good luck choosing a program.
>
> Rox and the Herbal HenchHounds:
> Bristol (retired), Mill'E SD. and Laveau Guide Dog, CGC.
> "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm  not 
> sure about the universe."-Albert Einstein
> http://www.pawpowercreations.com
> pawpower4me at gmail.com
> AIM: Brissysgirl
>
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