[nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Chantel Cuddemi
jawsgirl87 at gmail.com
Fri Nov 1 02:07:49 UTC 2013
Hanna,
Pilot Dogs gives us graduates full ownership of our dogs upon graduation
from the program.
Hope that helped,
Chantel and Motley of Pilot Dogs.
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hannah Chadwick
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:56 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Yes, GDB can provide more financial help if needed. I think that
larger schools tend to have more follow-up services because they
have more funds as well as trainers. I don't think Pilot gives
complete ownership, but I could be wrong since that wasn't one of
my concerns when I applied. Pilot also trains boxers and
Dobermans in addition to what Raven mentioned.
On one hand I think that it is important to have a breed
preference, but on the other, I think it is the training that
matters the most. There are good things and bad things about
every breed of dog. The work you put in is what you will get
out. The more effort you put into your dog will mean more
success with your team. When you get your dog, please remember
that the bonding process takes between 6 months and a year. As
in my earlier email, please feel free to email me off list if you
want to know about Pilot or Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Good luck, Hannah and Spritzie
----- Original Message -----
From: Raven Tolliver <ravend729 at gmail.com
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 19:39:50 -0400
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Hi,
I attended Guiding Eyes for the Blind primarily because I wanted
an
adult dog. As a person who never owned or handled a dog before,
I
thought it important to have a dog that was physically and
mentally
mature, and had established mannerisms. I wanted a golden
retriever,
and goldens and German shepherds have a better work ethic as
adults.
This has been proven in studies of guide dog programs and service
dog
programs.
I also chose GEB because of the financial assistance. Students
are
allotted $200 annually, and if your dog is 10 pounds within their
target weight, the student is given another $100. There is also
an
emergency fund, but it can only be used once during a particular
dog's
career. The GDB grads can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think
GDB
gives more financial assistance than this. Grads from that
program can
explain the logistics better.
As far as what breed of dog is best at guide work, that depends
on the
person. I have always adored the gentle nature and laid-back
temperament of a golden, and I would not want to live with the
high
energy and quirkiness of a typical labrador. German shepherds
are very
serious about their work, but they have high energy requirements.
All
three breeds are extremely loving, loyal and obedient if you bond
with
them properly. All three breeds have double coats, so they both
shed a
lot. I do not know as much about the other breeds put out by
Pilot
dogs, but people have success with them, so you would have to ask
the
handlers of poodles, dobermans, and Vieszlas.
You have to decide for yourself what you like or don't like in a
dog.
And the personality is just as, if not more, important than
breed.
Also, know that if you are picky about breed that it may take
longer
to find you the right dog and get a class date. I was fortunate
that
my golden was available so soon after I applied, but I knew that
being
choosy might mean a longer wait.
To determine which school might be right for you, you should rate
the
following factors by importance to you.
location of school, home-training program, special needs program,
cost
of the program, length of program, financial assistance, follow
up
services, ownership policy, training methods, choice to meet and
keep
in touch with your dog's puppy-raisers, graduation ceremony,
breeds
offered, life stage of dogs issued
These are just what I can think of for now, but there are more
factors
that others will bring to your attention.
If ownership is important to you, the Seeing Eye, Pilot Dogs, or
Guide
Dogs of America are options. If you don't understand why
ownership is
important to some people, then I will explain upon request,
because it
is a very serious issue that every service dog handler should
have
proper understanding of.
If home-training is important to you this is offered by Fidelco,
Guiding Eyes, and a couple other programs. Guiding Eyes usually
does
home-training with returning graduates, but they have been known
to
approve it for first time trainees.
I would encourage you to complete your training with your first
guide
dog at the school if it is at all possible and convenient for
you. The
benefit is that you will not likely feel alone in the struggles
you
will experience, and also, you can get great training and doggie
care
tips from experienced guide dog handlers. In addition, you could
develop long standing relationships with other classmates, which
was a
plus for me.
Good luck, and email me off list if you want to know more about
my
Guiding Eyes experience.
On 10/31/13, Shickeytha Chandler <shickeytha at gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you all for your responses. I have actually been leaning
toward
a lab or a golden because I have heard in the past that those
types of
dogs are very loyal and have an even temperament. But at the
same
time, I want to have an open mind and consider what other types
of
dogs might have to offer. By the way, I love the names of all
three of
your dogs. Great dog names!
On 10/31/13, minh ha <minh.ha927 at gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Shickeytha,
I want to echo what Hannah said in her email. I am working with
my
first guide, Viva from Guide Dogs for the Blind on their Oregon
campus. As a college student, financial and post-graduation
support
were the two most critical aspects that I was looking for in a
guide
dog school. I felt like GDB provided both of these and I really
liked
their positive training methods as well as the respectful way
they
treat their handlers. Regarding the breed of dog, I think that
ultimately needs to be your decision. Each individual has their
preference and people are going to tell you their choice is the
best.
GDB only works with labs and golden retrievers. My girl is a
lab and I
couldn't have asked for a better dog; she's extremely energetic
and
playful, but she's an excellent worker once the harness goes on.
Minh
On 10/31/13, Chantel Cuddemi <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com> wrote:
Welcome to the list!
I am working my first dog from Pilot Dogs, a standard poodle
named
Motley!
We've been a team for a year and eight months.
Good luck with what school you choose!
Chantel and Motley.
On 10/31/13, Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at gmail.com> wrote:
Hey,
Welcome to the list. I'm working my second guide, Spritz. She
is from Guide Dogs for the Blind. She is a black lab; I got her
over the summer.
Since I'm a college student and having had a previous dog that
was very high-maintenance, I knew I would need financial
assistance and after support. Those were two of the major
things
I looked for when I applied to schools. The training methods
(positive vs negative) used in schools also mattered to me. Of
course which may vary on an individual and team basis, but I've
come to realize that food rewards go a long way. My first dog
was from Pilot because I wanted a poodle, but she retired after
almost a year. My training experience at Pilot was good, but I
wasn't as experienced so I didn't have the necessary tools to
manage such a high-strung dog. Please email me off-list if you
have further questions. Good luck with the application process
and all that.
Best, Hannah and Spritz
----- Original Message -----
From: Shickeytha Chandler <shickeytha at gmail.com
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:08:20 -0400
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
No problem. I understand that different people have different
experiences and perspectives, and I think it is important to
consider
both positive and negative. Thanks.
On 10/31/13, Mike <blinkin4342 at gmail.com> wrote:
As a Fidelco client I completely disagree with the statement
that Fidelco
has contract issues. The issues are definitely personal and
not
Fidelco's
fault.
I have had nothing but good experiences with Fidelco over the
last three
years and I know a lot of people who feel the same way. There
are a certain
handful of folks on this list who have personal issues with
Fidelco and tend
to be much louder than the people who have good experiences.
You should definitely read the contract to make sure you are
aware of the
rules. That is the case with any guy dog school. Just keep an
open mind.
Every school has good and bad things. Every school has someone
who loves
them and hates them. I'd recommend that you decide what breed
you want, see
what school meets your needs the best, and go forward from
there.
Mike
On Oct 31, 2013, at 12:18 PM, "Larry D. Keeler"
<lkeeler at comcast.net
wrote:
First, watch out for Fidelco! They have contract issues.
Before
you
decide, make sure you read and understand the contract. The
other thing,
schools when possible do give you a choice. Now always can
they
accomidate
but usually they can. I went to Pilot because I wanted a
poodle. They
breed them down there. However, I ended up qith a labradoodle
wich is
almost as good! As for training at school or at home, I think
it
would be
more useful to train at hom. But, if you know your
neighborhood, it
doesn't matter as much.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Shickeytha Chandler"
<shickeytha at gmail.com
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 11:44 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Hello all,
I am new to the list. I currently travel with a cane, but am
very
seriously considering getting a guide dog in the near future.
I
am
doing research on guide dog schools to see which might be best
for me.
I am considering Fidelco, Guiding Eyes and the Seeing Eye.
Does
anyone
on this list have either particularly positive or especially
negative
experiences with any of these schools? If so, I would be
interested to
hear your feedback. Also, I noticed that Fidelco does training
at your
residence, whereas the other schools bring you to their
campuses
for
training. I would like to hear perspectives about the
disadvantages
and advantages of each of these methods of training.
Finally, I know that various types of dogs are trained as
guides,
ranging from labs to German Shepherds. I would like to know if
schools
give you a choice as to what type of dog you are paired with.
Also, I
would be interested to hear from anyone who has worked with
dogs
of
various kinds; I'd like to know your thoughts as to whether
there are
distinct qualities that one breed possesses that another breed
does
not generally possess. Of course, I am sure all dogs are
unique, even
within a breed type.
I know that is a lot of questions for one email. Thanks in
advance for
any insight that you can provide.
Shickeytha
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recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was
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but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act
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