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

Sat Mar 1 23:34:42 UTC 2014

Yes, they still give out gentle leaders but they didn't require us to use them. I did because I wanted to see how Viva reacted to them so if I had any questions, my instructors coule me pointers.
Minh

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 1, 2014, at 3:46 PM, "Nicole Torcolini" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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