[NAGDU] acquiring dog for owner training

[Buddy Brannan]

Hi,

In short, I didn't. I had no idea. But then, do any of us, really?

See, here's the thing. I wasn't married to any particular outcome. I mostly trained just to see if I could. If it didn't work out, no harm no foul, and I'd've had a nice pet out of the deal. I did owner training, in other words, more for the journey than for the destination. Although it was pretty clear pretty early on, apart from occasional misgivings, that she'd do all right, barring unexpected physical problems. Figured how ever it panned out, I would have learned something, and I did. If Hildegard hadn't made it as a guide, would I have tried again? Maybe, or maybe I'd've just gone back to school when Leno retired. Since I didn't have any real expectations of what would happen at the end, I never planned that far. 

That may sound a bit daft, bass ackwards, silly, frivolous, or any number of things to any number of y'all. Doesn't matter to me. I couldn't be happier that it worked out the way it did. Will I do it again? Fortunately, I won't have to decide for another hundred years or so. 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Jan 19, 2017, at 7:09 PM, S L Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Buddy:
> 
> How did you know the dog you chose would end up making a good guide dog?  If 
> she did not end up being good for gide work, then what would you have done 
> to find another dog?
> 
> Sandra
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Buddy Brannan via NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 10:22 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Buddy Brannan
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] acquiring dog for owner training
> 
> I got very lucky finding a breeder here in Erie. She charges $700 with a 
> spay/neuter agreement, which is pretty cheap. I see a lot of purebreds at 
> $1500 and up.
> 
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: 814-860-3194
> Mobile: 814-431-0962
> Email: buddy at brannan.name
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Jan 19, 2017, at 10:10 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Wayne and Buddy, I'm curious where you acquired the dogs you trained. 
>> I've
>> looked at costs for a well-bred pup, and they can run up around $1000, as 
>> I
>> recall, which already hits the amount Wayne estimated for his 
>> owner-trained
>> dog.  I know some people have acquired a shelter or rescue dog, but they
>> have said that's a bit hit-and-miss-you might get a dog who can be a 
>> guide,
>> or you might not. Though admittedly the whole process is a bit 
>> hit-and-miss,
>> whoever trains the dog and wherever it comes from.
>> 
>> Tracy
>> 
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> 
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