[nagdu] re ownership

[Julie J]

I am now 3 months into my private guide dog training plan.  Of course I own Jetta and consequently choose how she will be trained, how that training 
will proceed, who will do the training and every other detail of Jetta's life.  Perhaps this level of control over the dog selection, raising, training, care, etc. is more than most people are interested in, but for me this has been absolutely the right decision.  It hasn't been easy.  Finding a breeder was a very long and stressful process.  I also miss Jetta a lot.  and of course, it's expensive.  For me though, those are easy sacrifices to make because I know the things that are most important to me...ownership, positive training methods, my breed choice and even most things that are somewhat important I also get...frequent updates, my questions answered anytime, premium food, and the ability to go visit Jetta when I want.  I suppose everyone has to weigh the costs and benifits to their choices I am very pleased with how well the choice to have Jetta privately trained is going.

For those who are interested, Jetta is 5 months old now.  she's finished her first puppy class and is doing great in level two.  She can hold a stay for over 20 minutes.  she has a very nice loose leash walk.  She is beginning to show an understanding of guiding, although she has not been taught this skill, and she is taking the initiative to guide.    

Anyway there's been a lot of talk about ownership and all that goes with it, so I just wanted to toss out another perspective.

JulieSent from my iPad

> On Nov 14, 2013, at 11:36 AM, Doug Parisian <eggmann at mymts.net> wrote:
> 
> I also don't care much about whether or not I actually "own" any of my dogs, 
> but rather the ethics of the school which supplies my most awesome freedom. 
> As it happens, I've gotten my five dogs (at different times, smirk) from The 
> Seeing Eye where we of course "own" our dogs outright.  Hey, I live in an 
> apartment and pay rent so I obviously don't own it and, if I break the rules 
> of the landlord, I'm out the door.  Wonder how many folks would be so strong 
> on ownership were they obliged to actually purchase to own, about the price 
> sighted folks might pay for a quality car, give or take a few thousand.
> 
> Doug: where's the nearest barking lot?
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <craig.heaps at comcast.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 12:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] re ownership
> 
> 
> :I am one of those who really doesn't care. My guide, Chase, is great and we 
> have a wonderful bond. But that's not changed by who owns him. At Guide Dogs 
> for the Blind, I can apply for ownership after a year. I've had Chase four 
> months now, and I'm not sure I'll apply in eight months from now. I'm really 
> not concerned they are going to take Chase away from me. That is not to say 
> I don't understand and respect the opinions of those who want ownership of 
> their guides.
> :
> : ----- Original Message -----
> :
> : From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
> : To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> : Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 10:05:28 AM
> : Subject: Re: [nagdu] re ownership
> :
> : Aggreed! Although I'm in favor of ownership, I know some who just don't
> : care! I do strongly recomend that folks should look at the school 
> contracts
> : before they sign so as to know as much as possible and avoid unpleasant
> : surprises! The contracts should be lookede at and us as consumers should