[NAGDU] choosing a school

[Wayne & Harley]

*Hello Jean,
I haven't been on Leader's campus in fourteen years and have never been 
on TSE's, but I will comment.
First a bit of explanation to fill in what may seem to be gaps. I was 
matched with a Leader Dog three times, 2000, 2003, and 2011.  With the 
third pup, we did training in my home area.  I have been an Owner 
Trainer since 2010.
I have heard, via a Leader trainer's blog, that they are using food 
rewards to some extent, but that as with other schools the student is 
taught how to phase out the treats.
Both times that I was on class ( 2000 and 2003 ) on campus "find" was 
used. Find the seat, find outside, for example. It was also explained to 
us how to customize the dog's "find" repertoire.
Quiet cars weren't even a thing in 2003. LOL
The reference requirement was, in 2010, when I last applied for a 
successor to LD Patriot, was six IIRC. They did want a video of me doing 
a route, but that, thankfully, was satisfied by the Field Rep when he 
was there for a follow-up when I was starting to get the feeling that it 
was time for Riot to hang up his harness.
My experience with Leader's follow up while I was matched with one of 
their pups, was very good.
Bonus comment:
If you want full ownership of your dog upon "graduation" then TSE grants 
it. With Leader Dogs, last that I heard anyway, you are granted full 
ownership after having been working with the dog for a year. However, 
more recent graduates can speak to that better than I can.



*On 10/31/2017 1:09 PM, Jean Menzies via NAGDU wrote:
> Hello all,
>
>
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> 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.
>
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> 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.
>
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> 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:
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> Food rewards used or not used
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> If food rewards are used, are they phased out or maintained
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> Skill sets –
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> 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.?
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> Traffic work – exposure to quiet cars
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> Application process: Number of references, home video
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> 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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