[nagdu] Guide Dog Schools

Thu Oct 31 23:55:35 UTC 2013

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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