[nagdu] age of guide dog maturity

[S L Johnson]

Hi John:

Oh God, just what you need, someone with a little sight thinking they know 
all about guide dogs.  That just adds more stress to a difficult situation. 
Age isn't the problem but, the maturity of each dog.  Eva was 14 months when 
I got her and she has always been very calm and easy to control.  On the 
other hand, I was once given a 3 year old who was so high strung and 
wouldn't stay still for a minute.  How long have you had Molly?  This could 
be a lack of respect for you.  Sometimes the more you correct, the crazier 
the dog gets.  Before you go out to work, try to do extra obedience to 
remind her that work time is serious time and she must listen to you. 
Practice having her lye by you at home when you are just sitting reading, 
watching television and eating.  Have her on leash and under control like 
you did on class.  It sounds like she's forgotten the meaning of down and 
stay.  Also, she's probably reacting to all the people and other guide dogs. 
Again, this an obedience and control issue.  If you want more help, contact 
me off list.  Eva's also a golden from Pilot and I know their training 
methods.  My most important piece of advice is, tomorrow morning get on the 
phone with Pilot and ask for help.  Good luck, and remember feel free to 
contact me if you need suggestions or just need to vent your frustrations.

Sandra and Pilot Dog Eva
SLJohnson25 at comcast.net

-----Original Message----- 
From: John Sanders via nagdu
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2015 7:13 PM
To: Raven Tolliver ; NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide 
Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] age of guide dog maturity

Hi,
I was at a blindness employment seminar this weekend.
Mollie kept on wanting to get up and walk around.
I gave her all kinds of leash corrections and voice commands.
I told her "Mollie down!".
She didn't listen to me.
Today on the way home; one of the people who was there, who does have some
sight said that they were observing my dog.
And they had said to me that your dog is to young and she was released to
soon and your dog isn't ready.
I don't want to give up Mollie.
I love her to death.
She is a quiet dog and that's what I like.
Mollie keeps on wanting to stand up and walk around.
She won't sit still for very long.
I was only at pilot for three weeks of training.
Do I need to go back down to pilot for some additional training?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
John Sanders


-----Original Message----- 
From: Raven Tolliver via nagdu
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2015 4:44 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] age of guide dog maturity

John,
Large breed dogs, which includes retriever breeds, mature between 2
and 3 years of age. So while your dog is definitely not done growing,
whether she is too young to be a guide is determined by you, the
person who lives with her strengths, weaknesses, habits, and level of
understanding 24-7.
If you are having trouble with some behavior, let us know what it is,
and we will offer whatever help we can. Many young dogs just require
an extra mile of patience and persistence.
-- 
Raven
You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 3/29/15, Applebutter Hill via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> John,
> Hunter was 15 months when I got him, and his trainer said he learned
> everything the first time he was shown and he didn't think he needed to
> stay
> in training. I had other dogs who were older, and one was 22 months old,
> and
> his was the hardest adjustment, so you never know. I think it depends on
> the
> dog. Are you having problems?
> Donna
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of John Sanders 
> via
> nagdu
> Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2015 2:55 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nagdu] age of guide dog maturity
>
> Hi,
> I have a question:  my guide dog is only 15 months.
> I thought that she was a year; but she isn't.
> Is 15 months to young for a dog to be released as a guide dog?
> I got my dog from Pilot.
> I hope to hear from you soon.
> Sincerely,
> John Sanders
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