[nagdu] GDB and Gentle Leaders was RE: Update on Sophie Girl and a new guide dog school

[Nicole Torcolini]

I have a question for any of the more recent GDB graduates . Does GDB still
give out gentle leaders? If so, are you required to use them at least once
during training?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Minhh Ha
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2014 11:54 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Update on Sophie Girl and a new guide dog school

Alyssa,

Raven gave you a really thorough description of GDB's training methods and
the atmosphere. I feel like GEB and GDB have very similar attitudes when it
comes to training methods and interactions with their students. I went to
GDB last June to train with my first guide and loved my experience. I felt
like all the trainers were very approachable and I got assistance from all
the instructors, not just my own. My personal instructor was a third year
apprentice and she and I built a close working relationship; I felt like by
the end, we were friends and I still keep in touch with her. GDB has
switched to the two week program so the ratio is one instructor to two
students. I loved this because I had plenty of time to work with my guide as
well as get focused attention on what my needs are. GDB also went out of
their way to arrange a lesson at the underground train station to give me
familiarity with working with my guide when I went back home and had to use
the subway in the city. Another aspect I love is that GDB encourages puppy
raiser contact and they help to initiate that relationship. The handler can
choose to stay in touch with the raiser as much as they want, but at least
they give you the option to do so. For me it's really important that I know
how my guide was like when she was a puppy and if I have any problems, she
can help me to brain storm ideas as she spent a year and a half with them.

Minh
Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 1, 2014, at 11:13 AM, "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Alyssa.
> My current dog is from The Seeing Eye.  He turned 2 a couple weeks after
we left class, as did several other dogs in my class.
> We were always treated with friendly respect in class, and afterwards.
> TSE uses praise-and-correct methods.  I gather they are teaching some
clicker use now, but mostly for targetting things.
> TSE does not have a graduation ceremony, which for me is a plus. A few
people shook my hand and wished me well, and off I went.  More dignified
than the graduation circus, IMO.
> TSE does not encourage direct contact between students and puppy raisers.
> I thought the training was excellent.  I think they're especially good at
traffic training.
> HTH.
> Tracy
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alyssa" <alyssahenson95 at gmail.com>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, February 28, 2014 10:24 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] Update on Sophie Girl and a new guide dog school
> 
> 
>> Hello listers. I sent a message a short while back explaining that 
>> Sophie had to go back to training because of her scavenging. It has been
decided that Sophie and I simply aren't a good match. I've also been hearing
about this problem occurring consistently with dogs from LDB. So I have made
the decision that it's time to switch schools. The ones I'm choosing from
are guide dogs for the blind, the seeing eye, and possibly guiding eyes for
the blind. I like the geographical location of all these places as they
feature busy areas to work in. I also like that they all offer follow up as
well. I do have some questions though. I thank you for taking the time to
read and answer. So here goes. What training methods are used with the dogs?
How effective do you feel these methods are? During your class experience,
how were you treated by the trainers and administration? How old are the
dogs when they are issued? Thank you for reading these questions. Feel free
to answer off list if y ou wish. I'll post again if any more questions come
up.
>> Thanks
>> Alyssa
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
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> 
> 
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