[nagdu] Pilot Dogs training

Sun Jun 24 01:31:08 UTC 2012

Julie, that could be correct.  I do know that my trainer trained Holly.  I 
am pretty sure they are taught pretty specifically.  I do aggree that they 
can be flexible with some of it though.  For example, sence I'm a really 
competent traveler we did experiments with greated bridges and really hairy 
intersections.  Others didn't necessarily do them because they weren't 
daring enough or something.  Personally, I like the flexibility and it 
teaches us how easy it is to train our dogs to do new things if that's what 
we want.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2012 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Pilot Dogs training


> Bibi,
>
> I didn't explain well.  when I said that it seems that Pilot trainers are 
> like private trainers working out of a single facility, I didn't mean that 
> they weren't qualified or inferior in any way.  what I meant was that it 
> seems that other programs have very, very specific levels or tasks or 
> whatever that a trainer teaches the dog.  These skills are set out in a 
> very systematic way with not much flexibility.  It seems that at Pilot 
> there is more variety in how the dogs are taught depending on the 
> particular trainer.  I hope that makes more sense.
>
> In the end each dog is still learning the guide skills, but the getting 
> there and teaching the students to work with the dogs is much more varied 
> than at other schools.  For example at TSE there are very specific routs 
> done in a particular order during training.  Is that the case at Pilot? 
> Does each student do the same basic routs?  There may be more variety 
> toward the end of training to make sure the student and dog are good to go 
> in very specific environments that aren't so common to all individuals, 
> but the core of training is very regimented.
>
> I've also heard that at Pilot students come and go as someone finishes and 
> there is room for the next student, instead of having an entire class 
> start on the same day with retrains starting or ending at a different but 
> still single day.  Is this correct?
>
> And I know Becky Floyd and keep up to date on how Gallant Hearts is 
> progressing.  They may be a source for a Boxer or Doberman by the time I'm 
> ready for my next dog, but I'd really like to wait until they are a bit 
> more established to see what graduates have to say.  Or I may owner train 
> again, I have no idea right now.
>
> Julie
> On 6/23/2012 6:22 PM, Criminal Justice Major wrote:
>> Hi, Julie J and others,
>> The trainers that work at Pilot are licensed instructors and a few that 
>> I've known have been there for a long time.
>> No, they aren't any private ones either.
>> One trainer does have a back round in vet tech where she can administer 
>> distemper vaccinations, but when it comes to the rabies one though, they 
>> take the dogs to a local walk in vet to have that done.
>> As for the railing around the relief area, that's a good question and I 
>> never understood the purpose of it being there myself: probably so that 
>> trainies would have an idea of where it is to avoid tripping on the 
>> concreete slab.
>> As far as touching the dog, you can still feel what the dog is doing by 
>> reaching your hand between the two railings and bending down low enough 
>> to have an idea of the dog's reactions.
>> Once the dog goes underneath the railing, you adjust the leash to where 
>> it is at a park setting.
>> You then transfer it from one hand to the other so you're still hanging 
>> on to your leash.
>> Depending on each guide dog school, majority of the working leashes I've 
>> seen have a clasp on each end and two D rings.
>> pilot's leashes are designed the same way, but they have an adjustable 
>> part with a buckle.
>> You can set your own adjustment and when feeling comfortable, the leash 
>> can stay at the length that you like.
>> Now for the part of feeling the dog's back end while he'she's taking care 
>> of business.
>> They go up to approximately six feet long.
>> Back when I trained with my first guide dog at GEB, an instructor gave 
>> the recommendation of touching the dog while it's relieving to know if 
>> the dog is doing a number one or a number two.
>> For me personally since I'm not able to see what my partner is doing and 
>> due to his habbit of walking while dropping a two, I wanted to make sure 
>> that I know where he is at all times so I can quickly get to the 
>> droppings to get it up.
>> Another problem with Odie is that he likes to filth eat which is 
>> something that's not fixable, so I want to be able to find the mess, grab 
>> it before he can and dispose of it in the doggy trash can.
>> I may have to look into the toileting harness to help resolve this 
>> problem some, especially for the winter months when there's so much snow 
>> and it gets more dificult to feel with the stuff is.
>> As for the breeds, Pilot uses labs, goldens, german shepherds, dobermans, 
>> boxers and standard poodles.
>> They have been trying out mixed breeds for a while.
>> If I remember correctly, Larry's dog Holly is a labradoodle.
>> Another grad that's on two other guide dog related lists I'm apart of has 
>> a lab/sharpay mix.
>> Yes, Gallant Hearts does use dobermans, but they will be acquiring other 
>> breeds too like the labs, goldens, boxers and shepherds.
>> There are some dobermans who are currently in 4H homes right now being 
>> raised as puppies.
>> Eventually, they will go into training as a guide dog.
>> P.S. Here's the web site address if you are interested in reading more:
>> http://www.gallanthearts.org
>> www.gallanthearts.org
>> If this isn't correct, I can ask my friend Becky Floyd the director for 
>> the correct web address or it can be found in a search engine as well.
>> After Odie was attacked by a doberman in the same training class on our 
>> last day at Pilot, I'm lurry about having one around him.
>> The doberman attacked him by jumping on him.
>> Odie wasn't able to get the other dog off nor defend himself until the 
>> handler came to get her dog.
>> I was very angry and not happy with that user and nor did she offer me an 
>> appology upon asking if Odie was all right.
>> Truth is regardless of a dog breed, they will be a great partner as long 
>> as who ever is the handler trains them properly and sticks on top of them 
>> at all times.
>> The dog will only be considered a monster to bring home if it is allowed 
>> to happen.
>> That definitely isn't the dog's fault, but moreover, the owner for 
>> failing on their end.
>> If you and others have anymore questions or are curious, feel free to ask 
>> away.
>> *Smiles*
>> Bibi, husband Dale and son Odie
>> the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
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>
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