[NAGDU] Training Regimens at the Schools and Requirements for Working A Dog

[sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net]

Diane and listers,

I can tell you a little about Guiding Eyes.  They have two-week classes,
with one instructor for every two trainees.  Their training is very
individualized according to your needs.  They do serve people with severe to
moderate hearing loss.  As long as you're willing to learn, and have places
you can walk with your dog, even if only at work or in your neighborhood,
they are glad to provide you with a guide dog and the training that you
need.  
I think you would find the experience of going into class at least once
transformative and confidence-building.  
I've been in class a few times, and have had two occasions of home training
that were also fabulous.

Kind regards,
Susan & Topher


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Diane Graves via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2023 11:44 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: rdgraves2007 at gmail.com
Subject: [NAGDU] Training Regimens at the Schools and Requirements for
Working A Dog

Greetings All,

 

I apologize in advance for the long winded post, but the recent Q&A
regarding choosing the right schools and the requirements set forth by the
schools has caused me to reflect on my own situation. I wanted to get some
thoughts from some of you more experienced handlers.

 

I'm wondering if some of you could share what the actual training regimens
are at the schools, and how the training is conducted. I think I have
mentioned on here several times that I requested and was granted home
training by GDF. My late husband's health was very fragile at that time, and
I didn't want to leave for an extended period.

 

In retrospect, I am now wondering  if the home training option wasn't a huge
mistake for obtaining my first dog. The trainer was very intimidating and
condescending. We just didn't "hit it off" very well and thus, I was afraid
to ask a lot of questions that I might otherwise have asked. Let me hasten
to say that this trainer was a contractor, who did home training. As I
understand it, he was not an employee of GDF.

 

The above, coupled with the fact that I was in my 50s when I decided to try
working with a dog, contributes to the fact that I am not as accomplished as
some of you. I don't know whether there will be a 2nd dog in my future or
not, but if there is, I would definitely want to be trained at one of the
schools. Ironically though, I'm not sure if I would be approved.

 

I am not currently using public transit, because I own a vehicle and
currently have a driver. I am also very leary of crossing streets because of
my severe hearing loss. That is not to say that my girl doesn't work. We do
a lot of walking around the government center where I work. That said, we
are not regularly crossing busy streets and walking 3 to 4 miles per day.
When I am in an area with which I am very familiar, such as the government
center complex, I do believe I move more quickly with a dog, and the cane
just seems so clumsy to me as opposed to the dog. In unfamiliar areas though
the movement is not as fluid. I am not as confident, and neither is she. I
think her lack of confidence in those situations is largely my fault, as I
am not sure how to direct her whe Iam unfamiliar myself.

 

Then you have the battles with Uber and Lyft, when needing to use those
services. When my driver is unavailable for a medical appointment or
something of that nature, I have to use these services and find myself
wondering, do I take Izzo with me and risk getting stranded because of
drivers who refuse to follow the law, or do I take the chance?

 

Would be interested in any thoughts and/or input as to what to expect
if/when attending  one of the onsite training classes. Hopefully my Izzo and
I have a lot more years together. Whether there is another dog in my future
or not, I am very grateful that I was granted this one. She has been a real
blessing; there for me when I truly felt that no one else was.

 

Any feedback welcome.

 

Diane jGraves

 

 

 

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