[nagdu] Age of Qualifying Guide Dogs (was: Why I decided not to owner train.)

[Daryl Marie]

As I stated before, jenny was 18 months old to the day when we did our first training session.  the first three months in particular were very VERY hard.
Tying into your other question about length of training, Jenny and her brother, Topher, did 4 months of guide dog training; it could have been extended further had the matching process been different.  BC/AB Guide Dogs doesn't do training in Alberta during the winter months, which could start as early as Canadian thanksgiving and last as long as past Easter.  Winter is not a good time to test street crossing when it's -30 outside; stressful enough just walking to the car in that!
So the school perhaps jumped the gun for both Jenny and Topher; but as for me, Jenny and I have worked hard this past year and are really starting to mesh like a good team.

Daryl

----- Original Message -----
From: Leye-Shprintse Öberg via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:25:32 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: [nagdu] Age of Qualifying Guide Dogs (was: Why I decided not to	owner train.)

BS"D

Debby,

In Sweden, the guide dogs qualify between the age of 2 and 3 years old depending on how mature the dog in question is. Personally, I think it's best for both the dog and the handler. I got Hera when she was 25 months and 2 days old; I wouldn't want to get her when she was 18 months since she was still immature when I got her.

LeSholom,
Leye-Shprintse and Hera
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