[nagdu] Understanding of Guiding was RE: re ownership

[Nicole Torcolini]

I firmly believe that our dogs understand that we are blind or at least that
we need them to guide us. I am not quite sure how it happened, but Lexia
kind of taught herself how to guide using just the leash. I don't have any
formal commands for it, and I don't use it unless it is somewhere that I am
comfortable going without a mobility aid of some sort. I can explain more
about how I do it if people are interested. Even when she is in harness and
I am not holding the harness handle, she insists on helping out.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 6:03 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] re ownership

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

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