[NAGDU] Any advice on how to deal with poor filtering in guide dog schools?

[carcione at access.net]

Hi Parham. 
There are no guarantees, but I do all I can to let the school know about my lifestyle before I go.  That way they can do their best to find me a good match.  I tell them the kinds of walks I take most often, and special things I do occasionally.  So I say things like that I often take walks around my neighborhood, that I like to go out to restaurants, that I use public transit much more often than a private car, and that I may fly somewhere once or twice a year.  You could say that you enjoy exploring new routes and new places.  
Every dog is different, just like every human.  Some dogs get bored just walking around a quiet neighborhood, and long for more excitement.  Some enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city, and others don't mind it once in a while, but get stressed with too much of it.  And, sadly, some decide, once they're out working in the real world, that this work thing isn't as much fun as it was with their trainer, and they want to quit.  Sometimes there are things that can be done to make them enjoy work more, and sometimes not. 
Good luck.  If and when you get into training, I'd love to hear about your experiences.  I don't know anything about the Dutch school.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Parham Doustdar via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 11:30 AM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Parham Doustdar <parham90 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Any advice on how to deal with poor filtering in guide dog schools?

Hi all,
There is a school that I’m going to work with in the Netherlands that is willing to do training in English. I’ve asked a Dutch friend to ask other blind people for feedback, and the reviews I’ve been getting are a consistent love/hate – there are people who really enjoyed working with them, and people who got dogs that were anxious, wouldn’t want to work, etc.
When I ask organisations here for advice, their advice is very vague and not generally helpful, things like, “yeah, that’s just the way things are.” This is why I’m reaching out here for my questions, as opposed to taking my questions to them all the time.
How do you all, as guide dog handlers, ensure that the guide dog you get is a guide dog you could work with? How can I take better control of this situation?
Thanks a lot for any help,
Parham
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