[nagdu] Considering A Dog

Mon Sep 24 00:20:13 UTC 2012

Thanks for all of that awesome info, Lyn!! That makes a lot of sense about
boxers. Luckily, my heart is much more set on a shepherd. I do love the
idea of a boxer as a guide, though. Their personalities are just so well
matched to mine - very upbeat and playful, even clownish.  How can you not
be happy when you're with a boxer?  But, frankly, I do think a shepherd
would be a better fit as far as a guide goes. So I'm glad I found 2 schools
that offer them.

On Sun, Sep 23, 2012 at 2:16 PM, Lyn Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net> wrote:

> Welcome, Kody!
> I wwent to TSE and they have lots of German shepherds, Labs, and Lab
> crosses - mainly with the Golden retriever.
>
> What kind of Labs did you have as pets?  This breed varies alot in size,
> color, and energy level.  I have a Lab/Golden cross named Landon and he's
> almost seven years old.  I grew up outside NYC and do not miss the cold!  I
> live in sunny San Diego and have been here for almost 25 years.  Landon and
> I do pet assisteed therapy for our local Humane Society.
>
> Because you live in NYC, there are many graduates from Fidelco, Seeing
> Eye, Guiding Eyes, and Guide Dog Foundation in the area.  I'd talk to those
> schools and see if they'll put you in touch with graduates of those schools
> to help you decide on whaich one is best for your needs.
>
> Many of the schools don't use many Boxers because they are a one-coated
> breed.  They have no fluffy undercoat like Labs and shepherds.  Boxers also
> have the same short life span as a giant breed such as a Great Dane - don't
> know why this is.  They will require a sweater or coat in winter wheras the
> Labs and shepherds do not require a sweater because they grow enough of a
> coat to keep them warm in the cold.  Boxers and Dobies do not.
>
> Good luck in your search for the right school for you.
>
>
> Lyn and Landon
> "Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <
> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 5:41 AM
>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Considering A Dog
>
>
>  TSE sometimes has boxers. They tend to have to buy them because they
>> aren't bred there, so they  mostly have them if someone with allergies is
>> coming in. I've known a person or two who had them from TSE.
>>
>> I'm not sure why you really want to stay away from the Lab, but the
>> crosses are nice.
>>
>> Cindy
>>
>> On Sep 20, 2012, at 7:31 AM, Julie J. wrote:
>>
>>  Kody,
>>>
>>> Welcome!  I'm a big fan of the Boxer too.  Unfortunately your options
>>> are very limited if you want one from a guide program.  Pilot in Columbus
>>> trains some and Gallant Hearts in Mississippi does a few.  Your wait at
>>> Gallant Hearts is going to be pretty long because they are a small school
>>> that has just started up and they don't have very many Boxers.  Neither of
>>> these schools is located in a large city that has subways and that sort of
>>> thing.
>>>
>>> You'll have a lot more options for German Shepherds.   Also if the
>>> school doesn't teach to find empty seats, it's a fairly easy thing to teach
>>> yourself.
>>>
>>> Best of luck and welcome!
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 9/20/2012 12:00 AM, Kody Keplinger wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi all!
>>>>
>>>> I found this list yesterday and have been browsing the archives for
>>>> info.
>>>>  After some serious thought, I have decided to look into getting a guide
>>>> dog.  I do have some concerns that I know others have brought up in the
>>>> past (I do have remaining vision, and I know it may impair my trust of
>>>> the
>>>> dog at first, but I believe I can overcome this, especially since my
>>>> retained vision is only useful outdoors during the day.)  After asking
>>>> around about different schools and commands, I know I want to apply to
>>>> schools that teach "find" commands (ex. "find a chair" or "find the
>>>> stairs") as these are very difficult things for me in unfamiliar indoor
>>>> settings.  I also want a school that trains dogs for trains/subways
>>>> since I
>>>> live in NYC and that's an important part of my daily life.
>>>>
>>>> I have a pretty strong breed preference to either a German Shepherd or a
>>>> Boxer. I LOVE labs, but they've been family pets my whole life, and my
>>>> gut
>>>> is telling me that, for my first guide dog, and one I'll work with as a
>>>> partner, I want to step away from labs if at all possible. My first
>>>> choice
>>>> of school was Fidelco, but I read today some of the controversy from
>>>> last
>>>> year. I like their program because a.) they focus on german shepherds
>>>> and
>>>> b.) I like the idea of starting, from day one, in my neighborhood. I
>>>> know
>>>> some programs take you to NYC as sort of a final "challenge" - but as
>>>> NYC
>>>> is my home, I'd rather it not be my big challenge, I'd rather it be my
>>>> regular, if that makes sense at all.  Is the controversy over Fidelco
>>>> and
>>>> ownership still brewing? Has anyone worked with them lately?
>>>>
>>>> Looking at other schools, can any of you give me some info on which ones
>>>> teach the "find" commands as well as provide german shepherds and/or
>>>> boxers
>>>> (and that allow you to specify a preference)? Also, any info on the wait
>>>> times for these programs (from turning in the application, to
>>>> acceptance,
>>>> to attending the school) would be incredibly helpful/appreciated. (I
>>>> found
>>>> the old surveys on GDUI, but they were from 2008 and I wasn't sure how
>>>> up-to-date they were.)
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for any info you can give, guys! I'm so glad I found this
>>>> listserv
>>>> already. The archives have already given me so much direction.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>> Kody
>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org>
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/**
>>>> julielj%40neb.rr.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----
>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>> Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5277 - Release Date:
>>>> 09/19/12
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org>
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/**
>>> cindyray%40gmail.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com>
>>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org>
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/**
>> linda.gwizdak%40cox.net<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net>
>>
>
>
> ______________________________**_________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/**
> kodytheduff%40gmail.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kodytheduff%40gmail.com>
>

-- 
*Kody Keplinger*
http://kodykeplinger.com

author of:
*THE DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) - an ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for
Reluctant Young Readers.*
*AVAILABLE NOW!*
*
*
*SHUT OUT - available September 5th!*