[nagdu] Seeking information, new member interested in getting a dog guide

[Star Gazer]

Candy, 
One main difference between a guide dog and a pet dog is that the guide dog
is expected to function. If it has a bad day, you will need to evaluate and
think "Is this a bad day" or "might my dog be ready to retire" or "What can
I do to resolve this issue". You will think all three of these thoughts.
What I'm trying to say is that you can't just love a guide dog and enjoy it
the way you can a pet. 
People will expect your dog to be fully functional however they (not you)
define it. You will have to do a lot of educating as just about everybody
and his brother "knows about guide dogs". Some "know everything" because
they saw one once on tv. Others know quite a lot. 
I used two dogs, and now use a cane. I can't give you current info on the
schools that do community training. Others can answer that one. Ownership is
a huge deal on this list, and you'll get folks that *need* to have it, and
others who do not. You may or may not know how you feel about it. Your
feelings may or may not change once the dog goes from "something neat I want
to have" to "Jack the cuddly dog who loves drums and did a great job guiding
me yesterday". 
Some of your relationships with the people in your life will change and some
won't. You need to realize this will happen and know that there isn't much
you can do ahead of time. Everybody likes a theortical well behaved dog who
hasn't done anything to annoy them. You won't know until you get your dog
who will react positively and who won't. I had two good friends before I got
my first dog. Both were thrilled when I got that first dog. Neither was as
thrilled during the next few months of me with that dog. This had very
little to do with that dog, and more to do with the fact that they are cat
people. Our friendship took a pause until I retired my second dog and chose
not to get another. I had lost contact with these friends and neither of
them factored into my decision. When we reconnected, our friendship resumed.
Interestingly enough, both of these individuals send me very nice notes on
the anniversary of my first dog's arrival into my life proving to me that
they did the best they could. They just couldn't deal with a real live dog. 
Your living situation doesn't sound unique unless there is something you
haven't told the list. We can all give you perspectives from a bunch of
angles if that's what you want. 
Good luck with whatever you decide.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Candy Berg via
nagdu
Sent: Saturday, July 5, 2014 2:14 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Seeking information, new member interested in getting a dog
guide

Hi All,

 

I  just joined this mailing list in hopes of getting some information
regarding dog guides and schools. I  am totally blind, been so all my life,
I've always wondered about switching from cane travel to dog guided travel
but with school, busy career, etc., I  never fully explored this option. I
want to do so now. We live in a  rural area, so my travel needs don't
involve heavy traffic situations, more open areas (rural roads and beaches)
which seem to me would lend themselves particularly well to dog guided
travel. I  love dogs and have always had them as pets; I  know a  dog guide
is a  completely different relationship and responsibility. The other reason
I'm investigating dog guides at this time is that my last pet dog died a few
months ago, so I  don't have the issue of introducing a  dog guide into a
household with a  pet already in residence. 

I would appreciate anyone's input on my situation, including thoughts about
schools; I'm especially interested in programs with some community training
element given the nature of where I  live and my travel needs. Any input
would be welcome, or suggestions where I  might research all this further. I
live in northern California. 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Best,

Candy 

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