[nagdu] Getting A Dog

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Yeah, Julie, about the stuff that happens right after getting a new dog! 
Made me remember when I first moved to California 23 years ago.  I was TWO 
MONTHS into working with a new dog when circumstances caused the move across 
the country - I was in Boston at the time.  It was nothing that I planned 
before going to the school for the dog.  Upon arrival home from guide dog 
school, my girlfriend decided that I needed to leave - she had a new 
boyfriend who was going to move in!  So, we moved to California two months 
later.  Was this an ideal thing to happen, no, but things worked out fine 
and the dog adapted as I did.  Two years later, I had to retire the dog for 
reasons unrelated to the move.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting A Dog


> Hannah,
>
> I've never attended a guide dog program.  I understand, though, that a 
> year is about the max length of time they will hold an application.  After 
> that it's pretty much like reapplying since so much time has passed and 
> things tend to change.  I wouldn't worry because they are reevaluating 
> your application.  That is the routine procedure.
>
> When you say that you travel a lot, are you talking month long trips to 
> Europe, weekend trips to Grandma's, short seminars for work and how 
> frequently do you travel?  I don't think going off to take a European 
> vacation two months after getting your first guide dog is going to work 
> out real well.  A few weekends with family shouldn't be too much of a 
> problem though.  The dog will need quite a bit of stability and routine 
> for the first few months in a new home, with a new person under new 
> working conditions.  It's a lot of changes for a new guide dog.  The more 
> structure you can provide, the better.
>
> That said, I don't think any guide dog program expects you to stay at home 
> and do nothing for the first six months.  People have jobs, lives and 
> families.  Stuff happens and the dog needs to be able to roll with it.  It 
> also depends on your particular dog.  Some can handle more change than 
> others.  This is something you'll need to be sure to make clear to your 
> program so they can match you with a more flexible dog.
>
> Okay now for choosing a program...you mentioned you don't know what is 
> important to you because this is your first dog.  Here are  some questions 
> you might want to ask yourself.
> How far am I willing to travel to attend guide dog training?
> Am I willing to accept any breed of dog?
> If I have a breed preference does this school have that type of dog?
> Do I want or need home training or combination home and away training?
> How long do I have to be away from home at guide dog school?
> Do I have that much vacation time from work, or can I make arrangements to 
> be away for that long?
> How long am I willing to wait to begin training? Is this program's waiting 
> list longer than that?
> Do I need to attend during a particular time of year, like in the summer 
> because of school and will this program work with me on that?
> Do I have dietary or medical needs that cannot be accommodated at this 
> program?
> Is ownership important to me?  Does this program grant ownership?
> What sort of follow up services might I need?  What is follow up like from 
> this program?
> What skills do I need my dog to have beyond the basics provided at all 
> programs, escalators, find, follow, leash guiding, step refusal, 
> additional tasks for another disability?
> Can I afford to pay a fee for the dog or purchase transportation to and 
> from the school if that is necessary?
> Am I willing to pay for transportation to the school?
> Do I want to know or meet the puppy raisers?  Is that allowed, expected or 
> encouraged at this program?
>
> That is probably overwhelming to you, so I'll stop.  Please don't feel 
> that I'm asking you to answer any of that on list.  I just wanted to toss 
> out some things as food for thought.  Perhaps it will help you figure out 
> which program best fits what you want.
>
> all my best,
> Julie
>
>
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