[NAGDU] choosing a school

Wed Nov 1 17:01:48 UTC 2017

When we were in class, Alec was tested on invisible stairs. The ones that appear to not exist until you are a few inches from them. He passed with flying colors! I never go ahead of him on stairs. He always takes the lead, no matter the situation.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jean Menzies via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 12:10 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jean Menzies <jemenzies at shaw.ca>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] choosing a school

Hi David,

Wow, Clare Rose sounds like a dream dog. Thanks for sharing the skill set from GDF. The only thing that concerns me about GDF is step refusal. Good idea if it is a set of stairs, but not so good if you are inadvertently steppping off a ledge or other drop off thinking it is stairs. I can't get my head around going ahead of the dog. How do you manage that?

Jean and Bode

-----Original Message-----
From: David via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2017 5:09 PM
To: Jean Menzies via NAGDU
Cc: David
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] choosing a school

Hi, Jean.  My GDF pup finds chairs, doors, entrances versus exits, return to entry points in large department stores, elevators, elevator buttons, traffic buttons, escalators, counters, empty chairs, men's rooms, checkout registers, up/down stairs, and trash cans.  I'm not sure how much of that she came with, but she had these down in the first two weeks at home.  She is not great with the follow command, because she likes to lead. She is an absolute genius in crowds.  She is invisible in restaurants and keeps her nose out of food in grocery stores, less so at home out of harness.  Onsite training in Smthtown, NY, even for newbies, is only two weeks.  She is a lab golden cross.  Food rewards are your choice.  I use rewards randomly and for outstanding responses.  She is a
70 pound female and a total goofball out of harness.

*David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL* *david at bakerinet.com

*
On 10/31/2017 2:09 PM, Jean Menzies via NAGDU wrote:
> Hello all,
>
>
>
> Without going into the details now, I am looking at dog retirement, 
> and getting applications started for dog  number 7. Even if I end up 
> delaying exceptance, the paperwork will be good for two years, and 
> there are reasons to get going on it now.
>
>
>
> My current dog is from Leader. He is wonderful, and I really like the 
> skill sets that LD puts on their dogs. But in deciding if I stay or 
> change schools, I want some information on the Seing Eye as well.
>
>
>
> For anyone who has been to either school recently, or for those who 
> have been to both, I would like your thoughts on the following points:
>
>
>
> Food rewards used or not used
>
>
>
> If food rewards are used, are they phased out or maintained
>
>
>
> Skill sets –
>
> Is Find the ... taught? If so, what objects or items are the dogs 
> taught to find initially? E.g., empty chairs/benches, stairs up/down, 
> pushbutton poles, doors, inside/outside, etc.?
>
>
>
> Traffic work – exposure to quiet cars
>
>
>
> Application process: Number of references, home video
>
>
>
> I'm interested in comparing the skill sets and working styles of the 
> dogs, so please, no info on meals, rooms, etc. That's not important to 
> me. Any info anyone can provide on current training from the two 
> programs would be appreciated.
>
>
>
> Jean
> _______________________________________________
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NAGDU:
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> om

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