Category: Animal House
I am trying to decide on weather or not if I want to get a guide dog and wanted some of you who has one to help me decide by asking questions that I may not be thinking about. How Do I Know Id I should get one or not. Or When would be the best time to do so if soon isn't.
If I got one, I don't pritty shure I wouldn't get one in less then six months. What all do I have to do to get one. Like what kind of infermation do i need to send in to the school. I know I have to have good cane use an verry little else. Thanks.
Hmmm, some questions...?
Are you a dog person?
How do you feel about taking care of all of he/she needs? Bathroom needs, feeding, grooming, vet visits, obedience, and so much more!
Are you comfortable with your cane? Don't mind using it at all? If so, why do you think you'd enjoy having a dog?
What school are you considering?
That's all I can think of for now. I personally, absolutely having a guide. I loved the experience! That partnership between guide and blind person. *smile*
Good luck.
Another question is:
do you have enough work to do that would keep up the dog's traiing?
All the above are good points. I'd also throw in there the following: are your travel skills up to par enough for a cane or dog? Many people think that the dog is a magical solution to travel, but it's not. It's a different way of travel yes, but the core skills for both are the same. If you have some vision, are you going to be willing to trust the dog rather than second guessing it? (I've seen that hurt several partnerships.) Are you going to be willing to put up with the publics constant "ooo doggy" and the like?
:) The above may make me sound harsh, but it's not intended to. I'm a dog user myself, and it's my preference. But these are hard an honest questions I think someone should consider before getting a dog. Some would have you believe that the dog is the answer to all your travel problems and needs. It's not. Just like a cane, it has it's pros and cons. If you have any questions about getting a dog, drop me a note and I'd be happy to try to answer them for you though. :) Good luck in whatever you decide.
Here is the guide dog school survey:
http://www.gdui.org/schoolsurvey.html
The above comments are all right on. To me, making sure you do enough independent travel to keep the dog busy and happy is really important. The minimum amount of walking that most schools want you to do is between 1 and 2 miles aday at least 5 days a week. You must be really honest with yourself about how much you really get out.
A dog is also a major time commitment. You'll have to go out 4-6 times a dayregardless of weather to let your dog do its business. You'll be picking up your dog's little deposits. You'll spend 20 minutes or so grooming your dog every day including brushing the coat, ear cleaning and teeth brushing. And keep in mind, no matter how much you brush your dog, it will still shed. Are you ok with having dog hair all over your clothes and home? Then there is play time. You'll need to devote time every day to playing with your dog whether you feel like it or not. You will get dog slobber all over your hands while using a toy with your dog. Are you ok with all of these things?
The point above about the public is a good one too. Every time you go out, you will hear a constant barrage of "Oh look! A dog!", "Mommy, I want to pet the doggy!", "That dog looks like (insert random dog name here)", "ooh, what a pretty puppy!" etc. And that's just the people who stand around and talk about your doglike you don't exist. You also have the ones who approach and ask to pet the dog or tell you about their dog or ask some random question about guide dogs. My favorite question that I have been asked so far is "Does that dog live with you?" Surprisingly, Ihave heard that one twice. I'm not trying to be negative about the public. I just want to try to give you some idea of what it's like. When I first got my dog, it took me awhile to get used to the attention. I found it a little unnerving at first. Everywhere you go, people will be staring at you and talking about your dog. If I linger too long in one spot at the mall or in a store, it is not uncommon for me to be surrounded by a gaggle of gawkers that I have to shoo out of my way just to get moving again. I generally feal like a walking freakshow everywhere I go. It took me awhile to learn to tune out all the commotion. There are days when you'll be in a bad mood and you just don't want to deal with people, but the people will always be there and you'll have to be civil. It can be really annoying. People don't mean to be rude, but they just don't think. They see a dog and just go all loopy. It's human nature. And then every now and then, you'll come across someone who is terrified of dogs and will completely freak and overreact upon seeing your dog. I have actually had grown men let out a little yelp of terror and take off running in the opposite direction. It boggles the mind that someone could actually be afraid of a lab, but it happens.
As for the information you'll need to send to the school, each school has different requirements that you can find on their websites. Most likely, you'll have to get a recommendation from a mobility instructor and provide medical info about your overall health. They'll also ask a lot of questions about your daily routines and travel habits. They'll also ask about your home life - like whether you have kids or other pets. If you have a spouse or someone else you live with, the school will want to know a little about them and whether they are supportive of your decision to get a dog. It's all pretty basic and painless. A good place to start in making your decision is to check out some websites of different schools and call to talk to different edmissions departments. In my experience, all the schools have friendly staff who are happy to answer questions and offer guidance in the decision making process. They can offer good advice about whether a dog is right for you.
Anyway, hope this was helpful and good luck.
I think this post will help me and some others that are thinking of getting one. However If I do, It defently wont be anytime real soon. Thanks for the help.
All good points to think about. Also, do you think you have the patience and willingness to work with another living creature? Your dog will be your constant companion, and remember that when you work, it's a partnership. It goes both ways, and you'll have to work together to solve problems. Like others said, a dog isn't a magical solution. They need to be praised and corrected at the right times no matter what kind of mood you're in. Your priorities change once you have a dog. You'll need to think about them as much as you think about yourself.
I don't find it as much of a burden as I might have made it sound, but it's something to think about. These are issues that don't come up with a cane.
It's good that you're asking questions. I don't think this is a decision that should be made without a lot of thought.
Yes, all these comments and suggestions are right. I'm getting my second dog soon, but all dogs are different and have different personalities, just like people do. What kind of dog would you like to have? You might not get what you want, but the school will take in consideration about what you're talking about. Like, if you're amore quiet person and don't want a dog that wants to play a lot, then maybe you'll want a dog who's more mellow and relaxed, but likes to play sometimes. If you have other pets in your house if you live with anyone, you'll want a dog who gets along with other animals. My parents use to be foster parents, so I had to have a dog who gets along well with young children and won't play rough with them. Are you in more noisey areas more often, or quiet spots. I use to be in choir in college, so I had to have a dog that could handle probably ten or fifteen people singing suprano and plus the rest of the choir. I'm just giving a few suggestions. It just depends on what your life style is going to be like. I've seen many different types of guide dogs, and it's amazing how they're all different. That's why when I get my second dog, I can't compare it to my Vernon, but i know what kind of characteristics I'd like him/her to have. But yes, all of the above responsibilities are something to think about to. Picking up after your dog, grooming, taking it for walks, and correcting and praising. I don't think the public is bad, unless they want to pet the dog all the time. But I can handle, oh mommy, a doggy. Or what a pretty dog. I can handle all that. Sometimes, I'll hear people say, don't touch the dog, it's a working doggy to their children, so I turn my head and say thank you, because most people don't know that. I'm the only dog user in the city I live in, so it's nice to know that some people know about dogs and the way they can help people. Anyway, I would apply to any school you seem interested in, look up any kind of information on their websites and ask your mobility instructor. Here's a website that lists all the guide dog schools in the United States. People from Canada are also welcome. I hope this list is up to date at least, but it'll get you started on thinking about the schools and the dogs they train.
http://www.gdui.org/schools.html
But people are right, don't just jump into it, if you feel you need time, then take time to decide. But I love my dog to pieces, and I wouldn't trade a minute of having him for the world. because of the special bond we have. So I hope you have good luck with whatever decision you make.
I want to also point out that if you can't take care of yourself (showering, and grooming, and other such things), you shouldn't get a dog. My philosophy is that if you can't handle yourself and your business, you shouldn't bring a dog into the mixture. Sorry for being so harsh, but I'm seeing a lot of people who are blind who think they want dogs, but can't take care of themselves first, which is kind of scary.