[nagdu] Pilot Dogs training

[Hannah Chadwick]

Julie,
Pilot does have basic routes for students and when I was their, we all did
the same ones. Pilot also has sessions for students to come and train.
Everyone starts and leaves on the same day if they pass the test walk.
Re-trains come in on the second week and leave a week before first time
students do since they are only their for 2 weeks and first time students
are their for a total of 4 weeks.
hannah
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2012 5:08 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Pilot Dogs training

Bibi,

I didn't explain well.  when I said that it seems that Pilot trainers are
like private trainers working out of a single facility, I didn't mean that
they weren't qualified or inferior in any way.  what I meant was that it
seems that other programs have very, very specific levels or tasks or
whatever that a trainer teaches the dog.  These skills are set out in a very
systematic way with not much flexibility.  It seems that at Pilot there is
more variety in how the dogs are taught depending on the particular trainer.
I hope that makes more sense.

In the end each dog is still learning the guide skills, but the getting
there and teaching the students to work with the dogs is much more varied
than at other schools.  For example at TSE there are very specific routs
done in a particular order during training.  Is that the case at Pilot?
Does each student do the same basic routs?  There may be more variety toward
the end of training to make sure the student and dog are good to go in very
specific environments that aren't so common to all individuals, but the core
of training is very regimented.

I've also heard that at Pilot students come and go as someone finishes and
there is room for the next student, instead of having an entire class start
on the same day with retrains starting or ending at a different but still
single day.  Is this correct?

And I know Becky Floyd and keep up to date on how Gallant Hearts is
progressing.  They may be a source for a Boxer or Doberman by the time I'm
ready for my next dog, but I'd really like to wait until they are a bit more
established to see what graduates have to say.  Or I may owner train again,
I have no idea right now.

Julie
On 6/23/2012 6:22 PM, Criminal Justice Major wrote:
> Hi, Julie J and others,
> The trainers that work at Pilot are licensed instructors and a few that
I've known have been there for a long time.
> No, they aren't any private ones either.
> One trainer does have a back round in vet tech where she can administer
distemper vaccinations, but when it comes to the rabies one though, they
take the dogs to a local walk in vet to have that done.
> As for the railing around the relief area, that's a good question and I
never understood the purpose of it being there myself: probably so that
trainies would have an idea of where it is to avoid tripping on the
concreete slab.
> As far as touching the dog, you can still feel what the dog is doing by
reaching your hand between the two railings and bending down low enough to
have an idea of the dog's reactions.
> Once the dog goes underneath the railing, you adjust the leash to where it
is at a park setting.
> You then transfer it from one hand to the other so you're still hanging on
to your leash.
> Depending on each guide dog school, majority of the working leashes I've
seen have a clasp on each end and two D rings.
> pilot's leashes are designed the same way, but they have an adjustable
part with a buckle.
> You can set your own adjustment and when feeling comfortable, the leash
can stay at the length that you like.
> Now for the part of feeling the dog's back end while he'she's taking care
of business.
> They go up to approximately six feet long.
> Back when I trained with my first guide dog at GEB, an instructor gave the
recommendation of touching the dog while it's relieving to know if the dog
is doing a number one or a number two.
> For me personally since I'm not able to see what my partner is doing and
due to his habbit of walking while dropping a two, I wanted to make sure
that I know where he is at all times so I can quickly get to the droppings
to get it up.
> Another problem with Odie is that he likes to filth eat which is something
that's not fixable, so I want to be able to find the mess, grab it before he
can and dispose of it in the doggy trash can.
> I may have to look into the toileting harness to help resolve this problem
some, especially for the winter months when there's so much snow and it gets
more dificult to feel with the stuff is.
> As for the breeds, Pilot uses labs, goldens, german shepherds, dobermans,
boxers and standard poodles.
> They have been trying out mixed breeds for a while.
> If I remember correctly, Larry's dog Holly is a labradoodle.
> Another grad that's on two other guide dog related lists I'm apart of has
a lab/sharpay mix.
> Yes, Gallant Hearts does use dobermans, but they will be acquiring other
breeds too like the labs, goldens, boxers and shepherds.
> There are some dobermans who are currently in 4H homes right now being
raised as puppies.
> Eventually, they will go into training as a guide dog.
> P.S. Here's the web site address if you are interested in reading more:
> http://www.gallanthearts.org
> www.gallanthearts.org
> If this isn't correct, I can ask my friend Becky Floyd the director for
the correct web address or it can be found in a search engine as well.
> After Odie was attacked by a doberman in the same training class on our
last day at Pilot, I'm lurry about having one around him.
> The doberman attacked him by jumping on him.
> Odie wasn't able to get the other dog off nor defend himself until the
handler came to get her dog.
> I was very angry and not happy with that user and nor did she offer me an
appology upon asking if Odie was all right.
> Truth is regardless of a dog breed, they will be a great partner as long
as who ever is the handler trains them properly and sticks on top of them at
all times.
> The dog will only be considered a monster to bring home if it is allowed
to happen.
> That definitely isn't the dog's fault, but moreover, the owner for failing
on their end.
> If you and others have anymore questions or are curious, feel free to ask
away.
> *Smiles*
> Bibi, husband Dale and son Odie
> the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
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