[guide.chat] Calling all guide dog owners
- From: "Faye, Cathie, and Mike!" <catherineharris1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Guide chat list" <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 20:30:57 +0100
Hi John,
I feel the same as you on this issue about the training of dogs and people!
I like the same dogs as you but, I just can't get one for whatever reason.
I keep asking for one but, I never get one.
I'm happy with the dog I have!
she is a good little worker.
she is a yellow lab and golden retriever cross.
I hope when I get dog number 6, things will go well for me.
Cathie
-----Original Message-----
From: John Keel - Email Address: j.keel142,©8@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent On: 18/10/2012 22:05
Sent To: guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx - Email Address: guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [guide.chat] Calling all guide dog owners
Hi all,
I got my first dog in 1970, just 42 years ago. During that time I have had 7
dogs of which, Winnie, my retired dog is the last in a long line. I can't
retrain because I cannot walk very well any more. Winnie gets her exercise with
the help of a dog walker who takes her for an hour's run every day.
All 7 dogs have been German Shepherds and I wouldn't have anything else.
I was trained domiciliary with Winnie and before that, I had to go to one of
the residential training centres for about three and a half weeks. During this
time we not only did 2 45 minute walks a day, but we also got lectures from the
instructors on things like dog management and dog psychology and lessons on
feeding and grooming.
My training with Winnie lasted just 16 days which consisted of one walk a day
and one general talk. At the end of it all, she was still reluctant to walk
past a silent parked vehicle in the street and was very nervous. Personally, I
favour the old training methods to what goes on today because there seemed to
be fewer problems at the end of it. On the other hand, I can only see one
advantage in present day methods in that is that at the training centres, we
did a lot of things we were unlikely to use in our every day lives like country
walks down roads with no pavement and walking round roundabouts. Whereas,
training tries to match the needs of the individual.
This debate has been raging within guide dogs for many years and little
attention is given to it by top management. Their argument is that they conduct
these surveys and claim a high satisfaction among guide dog owners. The problem
is that most recently trained people just don't know any different so are bound
to be satisfied.
I am also very worried about breeding standards. So many dogs these days seem
to be very nervous and suffer from skin complaints and, in my opinion, are too
soft.
I also understand that owners can no longer buy their dog at the end of
training so the dog remains permanently the property of the Association. I
bought all my dogs for just 5 each.
Another thing that worries me is that the association only publishes figures on
it's successes and not on failures and rejects.
I would welcome your views and opinions.
Regards,
John Keel
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