[nagdu] Refresher training and retirement for our dogs

Tue Jan 12 00:21:28 UTC 2010

Lol, I wonder why she did not like the mail man.  No, that would not work.

----- 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 2:21 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Refresher training and retirement for our dogs

> 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."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>>
>> -----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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40qwest.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.n
>> et
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindspot.
>> org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.com 