# should i get a guide dog

Category: Animal House

## Post 1 by CrystalSapphire (Uzuri uongo ndani) on Friday, 06-Mar-2009 21:22:17

I'm not much of a dog person, but i like small dogs. Should I give it a try?

## Post 2 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 06-Mar-2009 21:31:35

The dogs used for guiding are the bigger breeds, like Labs, Retrievers, Shepherds, etc. So, if you don't like the bigger dogs, then it probably wouldn't be for you. But that's just my guess, based on what you've written here.

## Post 3 by CrystalSapphire (Uzuri uongo ndani) on Friday, 06-Mar-2009 21:34:11

Well Alicia I was told by my OM instructor that they'd match me up with a smaller dog since I'm only 4 8

## Post 4 by Daenerys Targaryen (Enjoying Life) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 0:38:41

I'm only 4,10 but I don't have a small dog. I have a Lab and he was not the smallest dog in my class. They match you up by the kind of travel you do, the pull on the harness, and how fast you walk and other things.

## Post 5 by SunshineAndRain (I'm happily married, a mom of two and a fulltime college student.) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 1:34:31

There is a guide dog school near me that uses Standard Poodles. I'm not sure how big they are, but I don't think they're very big. Why do you want a small dog? Is it just because of size? A guide dog school can pick a dog that won't go too fast for you. Are you afraid of bigger dogs? Guide dogs are trained to be gentle and non-aggressive. Is it that you just don't like dogs at all? Maybe a guide dog isn't for you.

## Post 6 by CrystalSapphire (Uzuri uongo ndani) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 7:16:47

i'm not on dogs sun shine and rain, but i like small dogs

## Post 7 by Musical Ambition (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 14:44:25

No, absolutely not. If you don't like dogs, then it is out of the question. Yes, some schools do train standard poodles, but they're not small dogs. I know a girl who got one. Based on what you are saying, this is not the thing for you. For one thing, if you want a guide dog, you have to like dogs to begin with, and if you don't, then things will not work out, whatsoever.

## Post 8 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 17:43:33

I agree with Gemini. Don't give into the pressure of an O&M instructor, Kerri. Many of them think that every blind person should have a guide dog, and that's just not true. Guide dogs are not for everyone. Actually when you consider how many blind people there are in the country, only a very small percentage of them actually use guide dogs. I'm all for someone's choice to have a dog, but it really doesn't sound like it would be right for you, based on what you're saying here.

## Post 9 by CrystalSapphire (Uzuri uongo ndani) on Saturday, 07-Mar-2009 18:04:40

i've thought before she even mentioned it it's just maybe in the future, just not now smiles

## Post 10 by SunshineAndRain (I'm happily married, a mom of two and a fulltime college student.) on Sunday, 08-Mar-2009 17:34:48

What's important is that you are responsible, mature and able to give time and effort for the Guide Dog/ Handler partnership to work. If you don't honestly think you're willing and readyfor such a commitment, then a Guide Dog isn't for you. Ultimately, a dog's size shouldn't matter when it comes to making a decision that will affect a major part of your life for years to come. You have to be very committed to the care and upkeep of your dog and the relationship you have with one another. If this is something that intimidates you than a Guide dog is not for you.

## Post 11 by CrystalSapphire (Uzuri uongo ndani) on Sunday, 08-Mar-2009 19:05:12

ok thank you for your advice sun shine and rain.