[NAGDU] Guide dog trainers in Pennsylvania

[Emma Mitchell]

Yes and yes.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 29, 2017, at 7:20 AM, Julie Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Emma,
> 
> Welcome to the list!  I don't think I've seen you post before.
> 
> I do know of people who will privately train a guide dog or even cross train for multiple disabilities.  they aren't in PA though.
> 
> I think it's great your parents are so supportive of a service dog for you. However, not every dog works out as a service dog.  It's quite possible that this puppy might not be the right dog for the job.   Australian Shepherds are serious working dogs.  Be prepared to be doing a lot of walking and going places.  You might also consider trying doing something like agility just to focus all the energy and drive.
> 
> Are you wanting to do the puppy raising yourself and then hire the service task work to be trained by a private trainer?  Or are you wanting to have the dog trained by someone else from the beginning?  Both are possible, but the more time the dog spends with the trainer, the more expensive it is. Puppy training and socialization should start immediately.  I'm talking about things like sit, down, walk nicely on a leash, comfort with all sorts of people, various situations, noises and so on.  Then there are house manners: relieves outdoors on leash, chews only on his toys, no jumping up and so on.  Guide and service task training shouldn't begin until a bare minimum of 12 months and probably more like 15.  The task training can take from 3 to 12 months depending on the scope of what is needed, the dogs mental ability and the physical maturity of the dog.  If you need the dog to do tasks requiring weight bearing, you have to wait until the bones are fully developed and ready, which could easily be at around 2 years of age. Also an Australian shepherd may not be large enough to do mobility work. They should be large enough to do guide work for a small to average sized person though, especially the males.
> 
> I owner trained three guides and had my fourth privately trained through basic guide work.  I finished up her advanced training.  If you'd like to talk more about your options, I'm happy to help.  You can email me at: julielj at neb.rr.com
> If you prefer to talk by phone I'm happy to give you my number off list.
> 
> All my best to you!
> Julie
> On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com
> http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
> also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall
> <https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?storeid=1916046>
> -----Original Message----- From: Emma Mitchell via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, December 29, 2017 12:53 AM
> To: NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Emma Mitchell
> Subject: [NAGDU] Guide dog trainers in Pennsylvania
> 
> Dear all,
> My name is Emma Jane Mitchell I’m 22 years old with cerebral palsy and am Blind and I have some questions for you:
> 
> This Christmas I was surprised by a puppy by my parents.
> She is a three month year old Australian Shepherd  with the hope of becoming a service dog in her future do you know of possible trainers for service dogs?
> Ps. Is there a certain age in which she has to be in order to start the training itself?
> Thank you, Emma
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