[nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Robert Stigile
rstigile at sbcglobal.net
Mon Jan 11 19:17:50 UTC 2010
Hello Julie,
Find my answers to your questions below.
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 11:30:00 -0600
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
Yes, thanks! but now I have more questions! *smile*
What would you say makes them stand out from other guide dog
schools? The small school with a family atmosphere.
Do they transfer ownership to the handler? When you leave the
school, you are the owner of the dog but they maintain ownership
of the handle.
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? complete correction based and no other, as they
have tried all of the others and found that they do not work at
their school.
Do they employ any blind people and if so in what areas yes they
have a blind person in the administration office. of operation?
Do they train any commands outside of the basics, like follow,
find etc? yes they have a full list of follow, find things like
that.
Do you get to do any routes totally on your own during training?
towards the end of your training, you will work in an area that
the trainers are around, but not completely watching you unless
you have a problem.
Are there any Christian aspects to the program, like prayer,
singing of
hymns etc. no, but you can ask them to get you to church on
sunday morning.
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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