Category: Daily Living
Hello, recently I've been thinking about getting a guide dog. I've narrowed my choices down to either the seeing eye, in new jersey, or guiding eyes for the blind in new york. I'd like to know if anyone has ever used these schools and if so, did they like them? Why, or why not. I'd also love to hear about any other information or stories yall would like to share about your guide dog experience.
Thanks!
Hi, I am from the UK. We only have 2 schools in Scotland. I had my first guide dog in 2002. Now I am waiting on another one. I had to fight to get anoher one. Because I didn't do enough with my first guide dog because of sever depression. Now I have moved to a new school for training. They accepted me on to the waiting list. The waiting list is long in the UK. Could be up to six months r more before I get another one.
I don't have a guide dog, but I'm thinking about going and getting one after I graduate high school. My orientation and mobility instructor is really drilling me every time he comes, and trying to get me to go. He told me the two best schools would be the ones you named. My VI teacher wants me to go to The Seeing Eye, but I'm not sure which one I choose yet.
Good luck
My mobility instructor in high school really pushed me to get a dog, too. Looking back, I wish he had not. I'm by no means against guide dogs. Not at all. But like many sighted people, I think a lot of mobility instructors think a dog will be the answer to all travel issues, and it is not, I assure you. There are many good things about having a dog, but there are also cons, and those are what most O&M instructors forget to mention.
I got a dog straight out of high school, and think it was a mistake to have done so. I was so young, and was not used to living independently yet. I was making a lot of changes in my life: moving away from home for the first time, starting college, going through the emotional changes that come with both, and I threw getting a dog on top of it. Establishing a new and good dog/human team is hard work to begin with, let alone when you throw the rest on top of it. In the end, it did not work out for me. It was not Dusty's fault, or the school's. I went to Leader, on the recommendation of my O&M instructor. I think they did right by me, and Dusty was a very well-behaved and well-trained dog. It was just too many adjustments at one time, and I was also used to the tactile feedback of a cane. I'd been using a cane since the age of four, and just could not make the transition to guide dog travel.
I don't know where you are in your life Odicy. Just think about what else you have going on in your life, and if you are settled enough to take on a major change and a lot of work.
I, too, have heard the Seeing Eye in NJ and Guiding Eyes in New York are the two top schools. I've seen good teams come from both, though I have to say I'd recommend Guiding Eyes for a few reasons. One, when I was looking into schools at the age of 18, Guiding Eyes was the only one to tell me what I needed to hear, but didn't want to. They told me that though they felt I'd make a great guide dog user at some point in the future, they did not think right then was a good time in my life to get one. I was pissed as hell at the time, but in retrospect, by saying what they did, they showed me that they cared more about me, about the dogI would potentially get, and what was best for us both more than they cared about their own graduate numbers. That's rare. I've also seen more successful teams come from GEB than Seeing Eye. Last but not least, I found the GEB people I've dealt with to be far more friendly than the ones from Seeing Eye. I have occasionally thought about getting a dog again, and talked to both schools fairly recently. The Seeing Eye staff I've spoken with have come off as brusque, in a hurry to be done with the conversation, and uncaring, while the GEB staff have been friendly and taken the time to answer my questions.
Just my two cents.
That sounds like a bt what went threw. I was 22 when I got my first guide dog but looking back it wasn't the rite time. I was angry with the Edinburgh team for refusing me another one. They kept saying wait another year before they would accsept me on the waiting list. They never accsepted me on to the waiting list. But now the hamilton team have accsepted me on to the waiting list. Now I am not as depressed as I was and go out more. I cant wait to use a guide dog again instead of the cane.
I just got mine from geb and I agree with dawn. They are great with helping you get your dog, Even with telling you if your not ready or your plans aren't right for one.
I was planning to move as soon as i got home with mine and they told me not to. That I should either move a month or more before or a few months after. It would be to hard on the dog.
They really make sure that the dogs are going to be ok once you have them.
While in training, we had two instructers, but a totle of five people in most cases who were availible to help. The others were the trainers for the repetes, and special needs, then the person over everyone else. So at any time, I had someone availible to help if i was having issues.
They did a lot of indevisual work. They worked with a lot of control, then slowly gave you more and more control as they felt you could handle more. I was able to do a lot right away with out their assistances or them telling me everything to do, but a friend of mine took a bit longer and this was ok. They took us each aside and worked on things we wished to work more on and things they thought that we needed to work more on.
The after contact has been great. I have had fast responce when calling in with questions. I also had great calls with the vet and others about vetenarian care and other things too.
I will say though that it is a good idea to look in to every thing before going.
I have resurch food, like grain free verses grain food...
treats that are good or bad...
other food like carrots, pumpkin, cucumber and so on so on that you can give your dog and how offten..
toys, what kind are strong for shredders
nilabone,
west paw,
kong the black is the best, , the solid black ball is better than the hollowed out one.
some dogs, like mine are shredders and cant have cheeper toys.
Walmart toys are a joke and don't last long with my dog.
I have a great network of friends that all have dogs and I had spoken with them for months before getting mine about everything from feeding them to the world. You have to figure out if your going to let people pet your dog and so on. Your choice might change on the day or whatever. I sometimes let people, depending on who they are, sometimes I don't.
Then things like, will you tell your dogs name to people???
This great guy who gave me some advice before going to get my dog told me that I must remember that no matter how hard things get, don't turn in to a bitch to the public. From my understanding, a lot of people goes nutts on the public for wanting to pet their dogs and so on. I know i did once. This couple came up and stood a few feet from me and my dog would not stop trying to get to them. wouldn't listen or look at me. i had to drag her away. These people just stood there watching. i asked them to leave, they wouldn't, I popped off and told them that they were rude people, they said it was my dogs fault, and not theirs.
They got really rude after, well the whole time they were. I had to walk past them to get home, no way around it and they were blocking me, just watching me.
I resurch a lot of things and I have been told I know a lot about guide dogs before class verses a couple of my friends who went in knowing little to nothing. I have to say, all my resurching has helped me getting my dog a lot more. I haven't had as much struggles with things like a few friends of mine have had. I still have had some issues, you cant learn everything before getting a new dog. Not even a repete will have all the answers.
I had also called the schools and asked a bunch of questions. I crossed a few off my list for talking trash about the other schools, acting clueless, or not taking time to talk with me. Never being availible...
thank yall all for the comments. I've done all my research, (well, mostly) and now that I've talked to other people (not only here but other places) I think I can now give the actual schools a call and talk to them. and feel confedent that I'll know what I'm talking about :d . To post 6, so, a month would be enough time? because I'll most likely be moving (if I do get accepted) about a month and a half after I actually get the dog. (college)
A month and half would be fine. It will give you time to figure out what your doing with your dog. LOL, those first few weeks will be kind of difficult at times until you two learn who stands in what place.
Just remember after coming home, don't get frustrated, the dog will pick it up and not listen to a thing you try to tell it to do. Keep your prasing over sweet like you do in class. Verry gushy, it will help until things seddle down.
The dog is having to learn what is aloud and not allowed with you in this whole new place and once the dog figures that out, moving will be easier.
Best of luck, and let us know where you plan to go.
Hellow, I've been on the waiting list for just over 2 years now. I'm in Hereford UKk. I did have a matching visit in September 2010, but was unsuccessful. Now I'm right near the top of the waiting list for a dog and their is only one person who's been waiting longer than me. I've got someone coming out from Guide Dogs on Friday to do a bit of an update. In terms of the waiting and actually getting onto the list, I only waited maybe a few weeks to 2 months before being accepted onto the waiting list if I remember right, but each year you're on the list here in the UK, you have to do a self-assessment medical form thing. I normally do mine over the phone and have to sign the paper copy. I waited until I got this flat on my own, because I had beeen moving around a lot before that time and going all over the place.
waow, two years is a long time to wait.
hello there I am going to gdf some time I couldn't go this moth so I am back on the wait list it has been a year for now hope I can find a job and get my dog before the job.
As a person who went from never owning a pet of any kind in her life to being a guide dog traveler, I have much advice to offer. When I first decided to get a dog, I was more concerned with the same thing you are: which school to attend. I did much research on the guide dog aspect of things, but not dog things in general. As far as which school to attend, consider the application process, length of program, waiting period, graduate services and financial assistance the school provides, contact with puppy-raisers, importance of graduation ceremony, level of ownership, cost of attendance, class size, and breeds offered. Be sure to check out schools' websites. They are not as up-to-date as we would like, but some provide more information than others. Look at the online application. Decide what kind of dog you would like as far as breed, or just personality type and energy level.
Analyze and know for sure why you want a guide dog.
As Nicky said, research the kind of food, treats, and toys you will give your dog, research characteristics, medical problems, and ease of care for certain types of dog breeds. Evaluate how much money you have available for things like a good crate, durable and long-lasting toys, child safety gates, waste bins with lids, grooming supplies such as shampoos, brush, comb, nail file, etc., and veterinary care.
Different schools provide a different amount of financial assistance with veterinary care. At the Seeing Eye, I believe they give you $300 for your first year, and after that, veterinary costs are in your hands. I attended GEB, and the school gives you your first box of Heart Guard free, and anywhere from $200-350 a year. You will receive $300+ each year if your dog is within 10 lbs of its target weight. You can order preventive meds, i.e. heart guard and flea and tick cream, from the school. You can also order a teeth-cleaning kit, ear cleaning solution, and your general guide dog supplies from the school.
As for different decisions to make when facing the public, I've learned not to tell everyone my dog's name. Usually, people repeat it, or might try giving directions to your dog rather than to you, and it is likely to grab your dog's attention. I do not usually let people pet my dog, even when he is off harness, unless they are very close friends of mine. For the assholes who approach me solely for the purpose of petting my dog, I have started charging everyone a dollar. I've made $25 off of this so far. Also, if someone asks if your dog bites, your answer probably shouldn't be no, perhaps depending on where you live. Many people assume that your guide dog will protect you anyway, but if people ask: you might wanna say something like: "Well, don't all dogs bite?" or "My dog doesn't bite unless it needs to." You have to wonder about what kind of intentions a person might have when they ask such a question, so just beware.
Also, consider having a blanket or towel handy for your dog for when you ride in a cab or in people's cars. Some people might not care, but everyone is not cool about having dog hair or drool on their seats.
I'm sure I've left out some things, but hopefully, this may make you think of more questions. Perhaps you have owned dogs and so you may not be as ignorant as I was, but I feel like the school left so much information out concerning general doggie things. It made me angry because I didn't know what questions to ask. Fortunately, for people like me there are so many people who are willing to give help and advice such as GEB instructors or classmates, my vet, and also my groomer.
Some final tips:
Never be afraid or hesitant about being assertive. If you are, you need to change because uncertainty and hesitance can lead to some situations that you might regret, or just strongly feel that they should have gone differently.
Do not feel that just because you are related to or friends with someone that you have to let them pet or play with your dog. While some people are lenient and allow friends and family to play with their dog shortly after leaving school, I've heard of other people not letting others interact with their guide dog for six months to a year afterward.
Getting your first guide is an amazing experience. It's stressful and exillerating all at the same time.
Something you might want to consider before attending training is to get yourself in really good shape. I don't know anything about you or your physical condition but I recommend that to all my friends who are going for guides.
When I got my first guide, one of the things that really stood out to me was how my walking gate and posture changed. With a cane, sometimes we tend to be in a more defensive posture. With a dog, it's all out go! Be prepared for some crazy shin splints, pain in the front of your lower legs. They'll go away after a few days but woo, mine just about kicked my but. lol
I don't have any experience with the schools you mentioned but I wanted to wish you the best of luck.
Yes, definitely agree with the last post. Do lots of brisk walking.
hey guys, sorry for the delay in the response. I've decided to go with the seeing eye, and am super excited, I've already gotten my 3 letters of reccomendation in and am waiting for a response from them. hopefully this goes well!!!!!! super super excited.
I figured on waiting until later for friends and family to be able to pet it. but, after the first few months, shouldn't it be ok? I mean, by the sound of it, some of yall don't let hardly any people react with the dog (not saying that this is wrong, just wondering if that's normal, or just preference.)
ahhaha, I like the idea of charging people to pet the dog, that's an awesome idea :d.
But, I do have a question about breeds, I know that seeing eye uses yellow labs and german shepards. what do yall think is a better breed?
how far would you say you walk a day? I'm in pretty good health, but may need to get in better shape by the sound of it ahhaha.
labs will be more energetic and great for young and active people, germens are more stuck on their routines. I would let the school choose for you with it being your first time. You most likely will get a lab unless you make a fus for a germen.
What made you choose Seeing Eye?
At these schools, students typically walk two to three miles a day. That's throughout the day of course, not all consecutively.
Also, unless they've changed drastically, the Seeing Eye also gives out golden lab crosses.
Like Nicky said, I would let the school choose what dog matches you best. This dog is meant to be your soul mate, so to speak, so I would advise you not to be ultra-picky if you don't need to be. The better breed for you will be the one that matches your personality and lifestyle the most.
I have to agree with the others here. Unless there's a specific need for you to have a particular breed, let the school choose. I don't know how they do it but they're simply amazingly good at picking the perfect dog.
You're on your way to a very exciting adventure. Good luck!!!
hmmm, They said they use germans and yellow (I'm pretty sure, i could be wrong).
and yeah, I don't really have a preference at this point, by the sound of it though, a lab would fit me better, we'll see how that goes if they accept me.
I'm kinda worried though, all the people that wrote letters for me have sent them in (via email) and only one has shown up on my aplication status page on there website, should I ask them about it? or should I just leave it alone.
nicky, I'm not going to lie and say that there ranking had nothing to do with it, but along with there rank, I've talked to alot of people that said they like them alot, and they seem really nice to me.
I would suggest applying for both schools so if you don't get in to one, you can go to the other one and not have to wait that much longer to get through your applications. If your excepted to one and decide not to go to the other then just let them know.
I did this and it worked outjust fine.
And in the mean time, keep resurching the schools, because you might come across something that could change your mind.
You should really look in to things such as graduate services, what can the school do for you once you graduate. What if you need help with vet care one day, will the school help you out? You never know what your job status will be, or when your dog get ill with things like ear infections or some other illness.
Vets cost a lot of money, do you have it? Not just annual shots and such but the office visit cost too.and flee/tick and heart worm which are monthly. Ear cleaning solutions and tooth paste sutch and such.
All this cost, will you have the money? If not, will your school help you get it?
Some schools will reimburse you but you have to have the money first.
Is the school great about coming out and helping you if you have issues with your dog once your home?
It is not just the time in class you have to think of, but the contact afterward you might or might not have with the school.
Do things matter to you like contact with your puppy raisers? I have contact with mine and it is great, they can tell me things that the school can't tell me like, what kind of toys and treats she loves. What kind of toys she can't break...
Puppy raisers can tell you more about your dog on a personal level that can help you bond with your dog that a school can't do.
Is this important to you?
Make sure you choose a school that fits all your needs.
what might work well with others might not work well with you.
for me, Guiding Eyes met my needs.
I almost went to another great school that did not meet all my needs because I didn't resurch the right things.
It must be different in the states than the UK. They ask if in the uk we can pay for the vet care if not then the school pays for it. But we pay for the dog food now. I am still waiting on my second guide dog. Could take up to six months or more.
Guide dogs definitely aren't for everybody. I hope to try for one one of these days (although my GF thinks I'd be better off with a helper monkey). She seems to have this view, unsupported by much in the way of evidence, that guide dogs regularly turn on their handlers. She claims to have seen videos of it happening on YouTube and to have read articles. I didn't find any of these resources when I did my own research, and I did quite a lot of it. I eventually came to the conclusion that either these people had found or cobbled together makeshift guide dog harnesses and put them on dogs who hadn't been trained for guidework and who'd been teased by their owners just for the express purpose of making these videos, or that it was an irresponsible guide dog handler who went to a school, passed through training with flying colors but then seriously let their dog's training lapse after returning home. Either that or they'd been abusing te dog longterm and the dog just happened to snap while the cameras were rolling. Because I've spoken to a lot of schools and known a lot of guide dog handlers over the eighteen years I've been exposed to these wonderful animals, and I've never, ever heard of a case of a guide dog turning on their handler. In fact I'd be more worried about that happening with a monkey.
Wasn't there a movie about a helper monkey that killed its owner? I think the person was in a wheelchair, and the details of the movie are unclear since I only saw bits and pieces of it about 10 or 12 years ago, but for some reason that concept is sticking in my mind. It might have been a Stephen King adaptation, now that I think about it.
Interesting. I hadn't heard about that.
I'm also thinking about getting a guide dog. Problem is my husband and I already have 2 saint bernards so would have to get rid of them. We've had them for allmost 2 years and 1 is a rescue dog. So it would be hard to get rid of them but we're thinking it might b worth it for the extra independence. My husband and I both want a guide dog. We've thought about several schools leader seeing eye guide dog foundation and fidelco because of the fact we could get one from home from them. Any thoughts?
Parden my stupidity on this topic, to the last poster why would you get rid of your dogs? Could they not jus be friend the in coming guide dogs? I was reding this topic because this topic is nagging me a little and thinking about get a guide dog.
Agree. You would not have to get rid of your pet dogs. I brought my guide home to a pet dog and they get along fine. Just tell the school. It's one of the factors they consider in selecting a dog for you. They will ask about the gender and temperament of your pets and pick a dog that willfit into your lifestyle which includes your pets. When I had my home interview, the trainer who came out spent time observing my pointer and asked lots of questions about his temperament. I was concerned about bringing in another dog, but GDB was great about working with me and giving good advice about how to make the integration successful. My Pointer is a somewhat submissive male. My guide is a moderately dominant female. It works out just fine. I suspected I would end up with a female guide largely because of my pointer and wasn't at all surprised when that turned out to be the case. He would have been too spooked to get along with a dominant male, but has no trouble letting the female be the alpha. The matching process really is fascinating. They know what they're doing and in most cases seem to find a perfect match.
As for allowing family and friends to play with your dog, I'd say it depends somewhat on the dog. I can tell you from experience, that I was too lax in allowing my guide to bond with family and friends. If I did get another dog, I would be more strict about it. I think it's better to err on the side of too strict on that issue until you see if your dog has the personality to handle all the bonding and still focus on work. My dog is very social and curious. She has bonded too much with my Dad and my best friend. This is entirely my fault and something I would change if I were to get another guide. It is really important that your dog only look to you for guidance and direction. When I am with my dad or my best friend, my dog will often want to follow them or try to play instead of paying attention to me. As a result, I generally have to use a gentle leader on her when they are around to get her to focus on me. It's not the end of the world, but it's definitely a mistake that I made. Some dogs aren't as social and can handle play time with others without really bonding to other people. My dog just happens to be a social butterfly who loves people and bonds very easily. I didn't figure this out until it was too late.
What about cats and guide dogs? Again I no very little about this topic and want to know some more before contacting a school.
Well as I said my husband and I both want guide dogs then we'd have the 2 saint bernards also. It also wouldn't be fair to the 2 saint bernards if we allways take our guide dogs everywhere with us and they'd never get to go they would just be in their kennel while we went out. Just not sure if we can handle four dogs either.
It is completely possible for guide dogs to live with cats. I don't know about other schools, but GEB has at least one kennel cat to help the dogs get used to being around cats.
GEB also has a home-training program.
When I went through my home interview, I also had a cat at the time. She unfortunately had to be put down before I went to class because she suddenly got very ill and we discovered that she had a huge cancerous tumor in her stomach. But, during the home interview, the instructor assured me that the cat wouldn't be a problem. When I was in class at GDB, they had a few cats around for us to expose our dogs to if we wanted. I didn't mess with it since I didn't have a cat anymore, but I have had my guide around other people's cats and my dog couldn't care less. She is curious about them like she would be around another dog, but she ignores them in harness. Out of harness, she tries to socialize with the cats, but the cats are too afraid to stay around long. My dog is very nice to cats. She usually gets down on her belly and tries to scooch closer to a cat so she can sniff or whatever. She has pretty good success with this technique and usually gets close enough to touch noses. But then she gets too confident and stands or sits up suddenly and the cat will run off. She has never tried to chase a cat. Her cat interactions are pretty amusing though. Anyway, I suspect that most guides are exposed to so much by their puppy raisers and in formal training that cats aren't that big of a deal. I'm sure if you tell the school, they'll find a cat friendly dog for you.
I understand the concern about caring for 4 dogs and leaving the pets behind when you go out. I was worried about leaving my pet home when I went somewhere with my guide, but he got used to it quickly and it doesn't seem to bother him. Dogs are pretty adaptable. I think once the St. Bernards got into the routine of seeing you all leave and come back a few times, they wouldn't be too concerned. I don't think leaving dogs alone without a guide vs. with a guide is as big of a deal to the dogs as we like to think it is. It may depend on the dogs' temperment but I think it could be done without much trouble. Of course, you know best about your particular situation and should do what you are comfortable with.
I got my dog from Guiding Eyes and she does great with my cat. My cat has been around other dogs before she came along and was a bit jellous at first but she realized that I still love her even though I have brought home a dog.
As for your dogs feeling left out, well you don't take them with you now so they shouldn't get upset that your not taking them out after you get a guide.
You have to make sure you have enough money and attenchen to feed and take care of all four dogs. It is a hard choice to make but maybe one you can bring up to the schools when looking for one to go to.
They have delt with your problems and concerns many times with other students. They would have lots of advice to give to you.
Another reason we've thought about not having the 2 saint bernards with the 2 guide dogs is that they tend to shed quite a bit. Coupled with our guide dogs shedding it would amount to a lot of hair more than we would prefer. But we do love our saints so the choice is a difficult one. We're also afraid we may not be able to devote as much attention to our saints as we would without the guide dogs. Of course we'd feed and pet them equally but of course the guides would get more walking time than the saints would. We'll just have to see what happens.
I wish I could have a St. Bernard. I don't think I've ever met one. I wanna pet one and feel how soft their fur is. Unfortunately the Twin Falls Housing Authority has rules that pets can't be larger than twennty pounds or so. I'd certainly prefer an SB to the two Chihuahuas my girlfriend has. Everytime there's a sound in or outside the apartment they go absolutely berserk. And the puppy in particular pees on everything every chance she gets. And Sandra wants me to get a doctor to sign her off as my companion. For a while she was even goingon about training this dog to be my guide as I said in another topic. Thankfully she sees to have dropped that notion.
A dog using the bathroom all over can't be hygentic. Hope you get that problem fixed.
So anyways, How is your choice for getting a dog coming along for the aridgenal poster?
sorry guys. I've been really busy with highschool and shtuff. they've given me a chance to be interviewed but they haven't given me a date for it yet. really hoping that it goes well. but I don't think the date will come verry soon seeing as joursey just got hit by sandy... thanks for asking and I'll keep you posted as new things occur or if I have questions. thanks for all of yalls help....
hello can you tell me how long you had to wait for your dog? I was going to go in sep but because of school I couldn't go so I am on the list again hope the trainers can fine me one soon I be dune with school in jan. maybe is summer I hope. thanks Erica.
So guys, I've just gotten some really exciting news. I got a call and my interview is this thursday!! Super excited and nervous. wish me luck!!!
Awesome and good luck.
I applied for mine in October and had my juno walk or enterview a couple weeks later. I got excepted the beginning of January and could have gotten in to class in March but chose to go at a later date.
Awesome good luck.
How did the home interview go?
Yes yes. I would like to know how it goes too.
The interview went really well. Of course the guy couldn't tell me if I'd be accepted but he said I'd be a really good candidate for a dog. I'll know within 2 or 3 weeks!!!! super excited!!
Awesome! I'm glad the interview went well. Let us know what you find out.
Hey guys! I'm happy to report that I've been accepted into the seeing eye! I just got my letter yesterday and am super super excited. thanks for yalls feedback!
Congrats! Do you have a class date yet?
Congrats. Good luck. If I ever go it'll probably be Guiding Eyes. But first I'd want to make sure I could financially afford to care for a guide dog.
Congradulations. I hope all goes wel. Let us know how things go.
Congratulations. Keep us posted.
Congratulations! Let us know how it goes! I went to the Seeing Eye for my doggy, and I was very pleased. The Seeing Eye provides some financial help with vet bills for the first year, as well as the first 8 pounds or so of food (which isn't that much, but it's something.) I'm not sure if their services are still all the same as they were when I went 3 years ago, but they also provided me with grooming supplies (a brush and comb,) food bowl, a nylon bone (if that's how you spell it,) first 6 months of heartworm meds, and first 3 or 6 months of flee and tick meds. Obviously I got the collar, leash, and harness for free too. I had a great experience. Their food (for humans lol) is absolutely amazing, their staff are quite friendly, and their facility is very comfortable. I had no problems with any staff there, although I have heard from others that they chose not to go to the Seeing Eye because they had a negative experience with their interviewer. That was not the case for me.
I, too, have a pet dog at home, but since he is mostly bonded to my mom, he was pretty much indifferent about my guide dog coming home with me. This was also something the Seeing Eye took into consideration, of course. The woman who came out for my juno walk met my pet dog and interacted with him and was probably assessing his temprament without me realizing, haha.
I got my guide dog the summer before college, which, as Alicia indicated, was extremely stressful. I allowed myself enough time to get to know her before starting school (about a month) and I spent a lot of time getting to know the campus before classes started, so this wasn't a huge issue; however, the first semester was incredibly difficult. Looking back, I wish I had gotten my dog sooner to allow more time for us to bond, but ultimately I do not regret getting her. I'm actually really glad we were able to go through the challenges of freshman year of college together; she was a great companion through it all. It took us some time to completely understand each other, but I'd say by winter break (so about 6 months of us knowing each other) we became best friends with absolute trust between us.
Some people have brought up really important things to consider, but I wouldn't overwhelm yourself. Yes, definitely consider finances and other pets, as well as how much you're willing to let family members and friends interact with your dog. You are going to be paying for vet bills at some point, food all the time, toys, treats, medication, grooming supplies, and other things, but as long as you're prepared for that... In addition, the Seeing Eye does cat exposure like other schools, so you will know immediately if there are any issues with your dog and other animals. They do plenty of practice trying to distract your dog while it's working, sometimes unintentionally. For example, I went out for a lesson one day and a man let his puppy off its leash, and it ran right up to my guide dog and I. I think I was more frightened than my dog, who simply stood still, waiting for the puppy to get out of our way, and continued on as if nothing had happened. I was quite impressed. They also do practice with hybrid cars while they're running off electric or whatever so you can't hear them approaching, and plenty of other traffic practice, so you should feel quite confident in your new friend by the time you graduate. It is completely up to you how much interaction you want your dog to have with friends and family. I agree, though, that for the first few weeks up to a month, your dog should have minimum to no contact with anyone besides you. This time is crucial for your dog to learn to trust and love you, away from the trainers. After that, I'd say it's safe for your dog to interact with others, but you should always, always be the one providing the most love and attention, and you can allow your dog to play with others, but nowhere near as much as you yourself play with your dog.
Those are my tips, hopefully you and others find them enlightening. Good luck on your exciting journey! It is sure to be overwhelming at times, but if you commit to it, you will do fine. Trust your doggy! Oh, and don't worry so much about breed. Seeing Eye has labs, goldens, shepherds, and golden lab crosses, and they know their dogs better than anything, so they will match you with the perfect one. They have various ways of figuring it out. Labs are playful, loyal, and friendly, as are goldens, whereas shepherds are a little more serious and definitely more headstrong.
what are these rankings people keep talking about in this and other posts? I've exhausted myself trying to find guide dog school rankings and I find nothing...assistance please?
Wow, you're about to be in for the adventure of a lifetime. Good luck! Can't wait to hear all about your new partner.
sorry guys, someone asked about a date, and I thought I put one in my last post but apparently not. Anyway, the first class they wanted me to go too I couldn't because I wouldn't be graduating until 5 days after class began, so I'll be going to there june 24th class. So, with transportation, I understand that they take care of the costs of getting you there and back, but how does that usually work? like, do you fly down the day before class begins, or what?
I think they have someone pick you up at the airport? I don't know. My family drove me there.
Odicy, I'm actually going to the May 27th class. Here's what's up.
About three weeks before class begins, you'll get two forms e-mailed to you. One is an agreement page to sign, and the other is your travel form. IF you will be within two hours driving distance from the school, they'll come get you in the van. If not, they'll pay for your flights, and come get you from the airport. You'll just indicate it on the form you receive.
I've known lots of people with guide dogs, and have heard enough about them to write a book.
The class time itself sounds like a boot camp. You get up at 5:30 each morning, and last park time (dog relieving time) is around 8:00 PM. I don't envie you the late June weather. It's going to be hot!
ody. the seeing eye is wwhere i got my dog. when i got him some five years ago i had only been blind for about two year. hhad two years of cane mobility instruction. i had done some research. was gun hoe on being paired with a sheperad. looking back i am so so so happy i didnt get paired with a shepard. for me, this is just my pov, they are so danm needy!! i have heard them cry while resting, like they wanted attention. this is just my opinion. but, i love my lab! man, i can share silly stories ab out him and i! the ppl at the school were real nice! yes the day starts real early. after feeding and such you are out the door at about six thirty or so. they arehelpful when following up! i was one of those proud but silly owners. if my dog sneezzed, i would call the school and ask all types of questions! lol they were not worried about me burning the phone! their concern was our saftey. so, when i "thought" i was having issues the trainer would fly in ad help us. in the first year they came out at least six times! lol lol my dog and i do great. he is very well behaved. well groomed. i agree with some of the folk on here and thier solid advice. dont let anyone get close to your dog but YOU! bond with him. play with him. touch him lots. they love it! remeber YOU are the only one he knows now! he will look to you for comfort, to feel safe. dont worry about making mistakes. they will happen! even the most seasoned dog owner will tell yyou. mistakes will happen. feelings of doubt, feelings about are you being a good handler will co me up. just remeber your training. take a deep breath and move forward. congrats on being accepted. congrats on being choosen! rember the seeing eye guid has been doing it since 19922!!! they were the first school to train service dogs.
Hello
I have seen very needy ones but my friend has one that is totally not that way. It must depend on the dog. My husband is getting ready to go to Guiding Eyes. He just submitted his ap. His dog from GDB is about to retire. We are excited to welcome a new dog but will miss Figby so much.
I fully agree with other comments about introducing your dog too early. Jenny has really bonded with my husband, so if she sees him unexpectedly she will be very happy and excited and cry to go see him. It has gotten better, but we are going to have to work with her on this issue so that it doesn't become embarrassing.
Kate
P.s. Odicy, how did everything go?
wow I read this whole topic! It was actually very amazing to me, to see you go from, "I'm not sure what school I want," to, "I got accepted to the seeing eye!"
Very cool I do wonder how it all went! I got accepted to the seeing eye so I know how it feels getting accepted. :)