[nagdu] Shepherds at GDB Re: dog drop-out rate and greetings from San rafael

[Ioana Gandrabur]

HI Nicole,

GDB stopped breeding sheppards all together. For a time they would only give 
them out to people that had had them before but now they don't give them out 
at all. They explained that it was because of too big a drop out rate and 
short guiding life or some such thing. Less sure about the explanation but 
they are sure not training them anymore.

On a different topic I am waiting as we speak for the new dog at GDB. More 
Juno work for a few hours and then it is the dog moment. I heard he,is 
rather big and actually I am guessing at the he part. Will keep you posted.

First impressions about the small class are great. More flexible and more 
time 1 on 1 with the trainer. Too early to tell though.

Keep your fingers crossed. I am so excited I could not sleep properly with 
time difference and all.

Best to you all,

Ioana in waiting
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicole B. Torcolini" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 11:18 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Shepherds at GDB Re: dog drop-out rate


> What is actually going on with the shepherds at GDB?  I've heard mixed 
> information.
>
> Thanks,
> Nicole
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 10:36 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] dog drop-out rate
>
>
>> When we were discussing owner-training and how hard it can be to find a
>> suitable dog, I started wondering what the drop-out rate is at the
>> schools.  I had heard, way back 30 years ago at GDB, that it was 50
>> percent.  But I also think that part of the reason GDB dropped its
>> shepherd lines was that not enough dogs were making the cut.  The
>> investment was not paying off.  And I would think that, with scientific
>> breeding that has gone on for several generations, plus considerable
>> experience in training dogs, that the drop-out rate would be, well, a 
>> good
>> bit less than 50 percent.
>> But I just was looking at the GDB blog.  A couple years ago, they chose a
>> lab litter and followed it through to adulthood, and they just had a
>> wrap-up.  3 are guides; 2 are assistance dogs; and 2 are 
>> "career-changed".
>> So, of 7 dogs, only 3 are guide dogs.  I was a bit surprised.
>> Has anyone heard any recent statistics about dog drop-out rates among the
>> big schools?  I'm quite curious.
>>
>> I'm not picking on GDB or anything; it's just the one I've heard the most
>> about.
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>>
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