[nagdu] Owner training questions

[Becky Frankeberger]

There are also Dobes who shed very little. Boxers who shed very little.
Guide Dogs of the Desert issues poodles of high quality. Leader issues some
poodles and boxers. Freedom Guide dogs have some poodles and home train.

Just giving alternative breeds ideas.  

Becky and the fluffy one 
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amber Meloy via
nagdu
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 2:42 PM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: [nagdu] Owner training questions

Hi all,

There has been a large amount of discussion recently about owner training on
the list and since I have decided to get a new guide dog, I have made a
number of decisions, and I am now considering another one.

The first decision that I made was that I wanted a poodle because I would
not have as much problem with hair.  I searched and searched but the only
school that I could find that issued poodles to anyone who did not have
allergies or someone in their family with allergies, was Pilot Dogs.

I applied and continued to research various topics about poodles, about
training methods, about how I felt about training etc etc.  As I searched,
and the more questions I asked myself, the more I started thinking that
maybe I wanted to owner train.

There are a lot of things that I am very unsure how to handle, and I am
writing here in the hopes of finding some advice.  I understand that having
a grasp of the training methods you choose to use is essential, and I have
every intention of practicing alone and in my head and reading before
actually attempting to teach a dog anything.  But before I get to the point
where I teach a dog anything, there are a few things I have to take care
of.such as acquiring the dog.

And so this brings me to a few of my first questions:

What strategies have you, as an owner trainer, used to find the right dog?
I have read a lot about a test that is done to test temperament, but I do
not recall this test's name at the moment, nor do I know for sure that this
is what is used.  I understand that no one can be absolutely guaranteed to
have made the right choice; that dogs wash out; that this is a fact I may
have to face.  But there has to be something that you did in the beginning
to say, yes, I think I'll give this dog a try.  You didn't pick him or her
because s/he was cute.  Or cuddly.  Or energetic.  Or did you?

Another big question I have is about costs.  Before anyone comments that of
course there will be costs, don't.  I understand that.  But what I am
looking for is a general idea of some of the things you bought/paid
for/services needed, and maybe an average of how much that
thing/service/experience costed you.  For example, if I choose to get
various vaccines, I can look those up anywhere.  Any vet's office will let
me know those things.  If I want to know about the cost of a crate, I could
look online or go to a pet store.  If I want to know the cost of foods I
will feed, I can find that information.  But what I'm looking for
information on is acquisition of your dog; acquisition of puppy vest for
still in training; acquisition of harness; any assistance for sighted
assistance in training, whether that was for training traffic checks or for
observation only or for a trainer's professional opinion etc.  Expenses that
aren't readily available for me to just look up.

Finally, if anyone is willing to talk with me off list, I would be very
grateful.  If there is such a thing as a list for owner trainers so that I
am not cluttering this list with my questions, I would also love to know
about that as well.  I joined the clicker solutions list and am hoping that
when I come across a problem with particular behaviors I am trying to shape
that this will be a viable resource.  

Thank you all for your input, however much or little it is.

Amber M
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