[nagdu] Considering A Dog

Mon Sep 24 00:30:47 UTC 2012

 hi kodi, it is rhonda. The only thing i will tell you that sheppards have hip disspajia. when they get older.

 but  sheppards are great workers.
 and vary smart.

 I wish you a lot of luck.

On Sep 23, 2012, at 5:20 PM, Kody Keplinger wrote:

> 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
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>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
>>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> *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!*
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