[nagdu] Guide Dogs of America

Mon Jan 11 17:30:00 UTC 2010

Yes, thanks! but now I have more questions! *smile*

What would you say makes them stand out from other guide dog schools?

Do they transfer ownership to the handler?
What training method do they use with the dogs, correction based, clicker, 
luring, food rewards, classic conditioning, something else or a mixture of 
some of these?
Do they employ any blind people and if so in what areas of operation?
Do they train any commands outside of the basics, like follow, find etc?
Do you get to do any routes totally on your own during training?
Are there any Christian aspects to the program, like prayer, singing of 
hymns etc.

I hope it is a long, long while before I need to think about my next guide. 
Right now I'm just thinking ahead.  I'm not sure I want to owner train 
again.

thanks for the info.
Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Stigile" <rstigile at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America

> Hello Julie,
> Yes, it is a small school, usually about 7 or 8 in a class with 3 
> instructors.
> Most of the dogs are labs, goldens and a couple of labradoodles, and 
> golden doodles, and a rare Shephard:
> If you are a retrain, they have several options, a regular class,  a bonus 
> class which is either two or three weeks with just retrains, and if 
> necessary, in-home training.
> They have plenty of food, to keep people going, a nurse who comes once a 
> week, to make sure people are keeping up on things, if necessary, and you 
> get your own room.
> They usually train about three dogs per person, to make sure that if one 
> doesn't work, they do not have to send you home.
> If you let them know your needs, they really try to find a dog that will 
> work with your situation.
> They go over and backwards, with follow up training, though it does take 
> them a little longer, if you are a long way from the school, but they will 
> come out and work with you, and if you are near the school they have vet 
> facilities, that you can go and have your dog checked up, and most issues 
> can be taken care of there.
> I hope this helps,
>
> Robert Stigile
> e-mail: rstigile at sbcglobal.net
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:15:01 -0600
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
> Thanks!  It's a small school and rarely comes up on the list.  I admit I
> know nothing about GDA.  So if the people who have GDA guides would like 
> to
> share on list I would love to read about your experiences too.
>
> Julie
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Linda Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 1:08 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
> Julie,
> I was a graduate of GDA in 1990.  I know two people here in San Diego who
> have GDA dogs and they are happy with their dogs and the school.  I know
> there are some listers who have GDA dogs - hey guys, talk to Jessica!
> (grin!)
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
> Jessica,
>
> Holy cow! You've had some insane dogs.  I agree biting is way over the
> line in what is acceptable.   Boxers are by nature very high energy, so I
> doubt it was just that particular one.  But biting, I absolutely could
> not deal with.
> I hope GDA is just what you are looking for.  I don't know of anyone who
> has gotten a dog from there.  Could you ask them to put you in touch with
> a graduate?  That seems reasonable to me.
> Hopefully there is someone on the list who will be able to provide more
> info.
>
> Julie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at qwest.net
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 3:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
> Some of the questions, of course, are relevant only for information.  For
> instance, I know that my school does most if not all of what you are
> asking
> and does have set commands.  But as for dog/cat distractions,they are
> something that I am continually having to work on with the dog.  If they
> get
> serious, I may need to have them send someone out to help me.  There is
> always the potential for a bad match.  What policy does Guide Dogs of
> America
> have on ownership? Is there a fee? Where do they get their support?
> Those
> are more questions that could be of importance.  Do they have their own
> stock
> or do they get the dogs in other places? Not sure why GDB would be too
> big.
> They have two campuses, but the class size would be similar, or are you
> just
> concerned about paper pushing and the like? Just curious.  I think it is
> good
> to ask questions.
>
> Cindy Lou
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jessica Pitzer" <rolosgirl at gmail.com
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 2:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
> No, I received my first and second dogs from pilot dogs.  I choose not
> to return because when I went their the first time I had a dog that
> continuously bit my hands and arms and was not controllable, then I
> got a chocolate lab who developed a skin disorder, and chased our cats
> and in working when she saw a cat or dog she'd lunge, and then stop
> working altogether.  Then I got a boxer who had horrible behavior,
> biting, and way way to much energy so have decided a better school
> with a better reputation would be good for me.  GDA tells me they have
> kennel cats test the dogs with cats, do intelligence disobedience,
> more in the matching process, etc.  all of which Pilot didn't do.
> I just wanted to know the answers to those questins for general info
> and to get others experiences.  I also wanted a school that wasn't
> across country so being near seattle, that gave me GDB, GDDI and GDA,
> GDB is jsut to big for my liking, GDDI had a 2 year waiting list and
> when I called GDA, Andi was so nice, and helpful it just seemed the
> perfect place.
> Jessica
>
> On 1/10/10, Cindy Ray <cindyray at qwest.net> wrote:
> Is this your first dog? If not, where have you gotten dogs before?
>
> Cindy Lou
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jessica Pitzer" <rolosgirl at gmail.com
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:24 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
> Hi,
> I'm wondering if there is any GDA graduates amongst us.
> If so, I have questions.
> You can either answer here or send me a private email, or add me to
> msn at rolosgirl at gmail.com
> 1.  Did you keep a blog of your experiences.
> 2.  Does your dog have any issues with cats?
> 3.  Can you describe your harness, AKA how it releases the belly strap,
> any reflectors, how the handle connects, etc.?
> 4.  What did you like and dislike about the school?
> 5.  How long did you wait to get in?
> 6.  Did you feel your dog was a good match?
> 7.  Any recommendations for going there?
> 8.  Can you give me an overview of the facilities, common areas, rooms,
> etc.?
> 9.  Can you describe to me what happens from when you get there until
> you get the dog?
> 10.  Can you describe dog day to me and how they introduce the dog to
> you, what happens after that up until your first work out?
> 11.  Are there any hallmarks of the program, AKA visits to specific
> places that always happen?
> 12.  Was your dog well trained in all types of environments?
> 13.  How does your dog do with food distractions?
> 14.  How about cat/dog distractions?
> 15.  What all commands are used.
> 16.  How is your dog at home? Do you use a crate, tie down, both?
> If I think of more questions I'll post them but these are the ones i
> have right now.
> I'm doing the application process now, hoping for an April or July
> class.  I've asked for a female yellow lab, we'll see!
> Jessica
>
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