[NAGDU] The first time you met your dog.

[Bianka]

Hi list, 

Meeting youd dog for the first time is always an adventure. 

The meeting procedure is a bit different over here. As training is done on a one to one base the trainer either comes to your home about two months before the dog is ready or you can decide to meet your new dog at the school. The training cycle of the dogs is longer, so two months before the end of the training the dogs are usually fully trained and just need to brush up on their skills for the final exam with their trainer. 

The dog I had before Aleska didn‘t work out, I had to retire him do to dog agression after 10 months and he was career changed. After about half a year travelling with a cane I got the call from my school telling me they might have a female yellow lab for me but her pace was faster than the previous dog I had had. As cane travel was wearing me out I told the instructor, well, if you are not sure I will have to come to the school to meet her and to see how she works in harness. 

Now, I am a bit particular as I like to test walk my dog in surroundings I don‘t know. I figure if I trust the dog‘s harness work in a new area it will probably work out at home. 

A friend of mine drove us to the guide dog school, me, my husband and his then guide dog. The instructor brought Aleska in and the first one who got to meet her was my husband‘s guide dog as he managed to greet her under the table. As I had wanted a black lab I was at first a bit reserved towards Aleska. But she won my heart the first time I had her in harness and we walked the streets of Basel. 

About two months later, the instructor brought her two our home and the real training began. She has been here now for four years and we are a very good team.