[nagdu] Refresher training and retirement for our dogs

Mon Jan 11 22:21:30 UTC 2010

Hi Albert,
Most of the time, guide dogs don't need "retraining" but it does happen at 
times.  With Olivia, it happened to me.

I think all first time dog users wonder how they'll know when the dog needs 
to retire and sometimes people almost obsess about it.  You know your dog 
almost more than you know your partner or spouse!  We are with our dogs 
almost 24/7 and we become familiar with everything the dog does, its 
reactions to things, its bathroom habits - everything.  If you are a person 
who has stuck pretty much to the program that you learned at guide dog 
school, you will become alert to when there's a change in your dog. They may 
be more distractable than normal, they may not seem like they're enjoying 
going out to work.  They may slow down from what you came to recognize as 
their normal pace and pull.  If these things happen, you have the dog 
checked for any health issues. you can then have an instructor from your 
school come to observe the dog's and your work.

Sometimes, after several years the dog decides it's done and wants to 
retire.  Olivia was 7 when this happened.  My dog, Jacob who was before 
Landon, started extra distractions and walking slower when he was 9 and a 
half.  Both were ready for retirement.  Jacob is now 12 years old and living 
the good life as a "brat" with his new family!  He is still in reasonable 
health for a senior dog.  They love him to pieces! LOL!

I've seen people make their dogs work way beyond what they should.  I 
remember a 13 year old Dobie who could barely drag her butt up bus steps 
being made to continue working.  THIS IS WRONG!  Clearly this dog was well 
past retirement age.  It looks bad to the public as well - I sure heard 
comments by people when they saw this dog.

One thing about guide dogs is that they work or quit working because they 
want to.  You can't force a guide dog to guide if it doesn't like the work. 
When a dog is in training, the staff looks for signs of lack of desire to 
guide.  Olivia's sister was dropped from the program just before matchong 
with a student. She was being used by an apprentice in my class.  She showed 
signs of not liking the work and she didn't like people in uniform such as 
the mailman.  She was dropped from the program.

HTH,

Lyn
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 4:15 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America

> Hey there, noticed you mentioned that your guide needed retraining.  While 
> I
> am not at that point perhaps you seasoned handlers could give us newbees
> some things to look out for as indicators of our guide needing some
> refresher courses or what to look for as signs that our pooch may be
> approaching retirement age?  Would be helpful as doxology and I are into 
> our
> 4th year together and since moving out of Manhattan our daily travel 
> demands
> have changed a bit so as to make me think about and even ask these
> questions.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Linda Gwizdak
> Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 4:52 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
> Sylmar, California.  Sylmar is in San Fernando Valley east of Los Angeles.
>
> I had a dog from there in the early 1990s and she was pretty good.  I had 
> a
> yellow Lab named Olivia and she did a fair job - she did "lose" her 
> traffic
> training when she was around 4 or 5 and I had to send her back for a 
> couple
> of weeks of retraining.  she got cocky about cars.  When she was 7 she
> decided that guide work wasn't so fun so I retired her from service.  I do
> like The Seeing Eye's training better.  But, I have seen many good dogs 
> from
>
> GDA and, Jessica, do check them out.
>
> When you apply, send them a detailed letter explaining your lifestyle,
> needs, likes and dislikes in a dog. If you describe the "perfect dog" -
> which we all know does not exist - then you will help them find you the 
> next
>
> best thing!  Good luck to you!
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- 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 12:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs of America
>
>
>> Jessica, where is Guide Dogs of America?
>>
>> 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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