Pellet Fan
All Things Considered => General Discussion--Non food Related => Topic started by: Kristin Meredith on January 17, 2018, 05:13:05 PM
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As mentioned previously, I start my puppy raiser classes on Feb. 6. Today, they announced on facebook a new litter was born this morning -- 5 boys and 3 girls. If I succeed in my training, one of these little guys or girls will come home with me in a few months.
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Good luck passing your test.
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Nice looking litter of pups.
Good luck on the class and hope you get to take one home.
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You'll probably qualify for two with your experience!! :clap:
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Best Wishes Kristen!
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Thats great news, study hard, one of those pups is going to have a great trainer and go on to do wonderful things for someone.
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Hats off to you, Kristin, for all of your work in this area.
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Thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes. Brain is getting older, so if there are tests, may not be able to remember everything a younger person could!!!
I am most worried about the home inspection. It is not an absolute requirement to have a fence, but it is preferred. I am never going to have a fence -- kind of defeats living in the country for me -- and we certainly live on farm land, but I don't know all of their criteria for folks without a fence.
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It is not an absolute requirement to have a fence, but it is preferred.
One of my hunting partners has a GSR (probably one of the more high energy breeds). He keeps it at home with an electric fence that uses a transmitter to send a signal that keeps the collar from shocking the dog. When Blitz gets too far from the transmitter—zing!
He put it around his leg and walked the perimeter, marking the range with those 2-inch red flags on a wire he shoved into the ground. Blitz soon learned his acceptable range. It works as advertised.
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The reason you are worrying is because you care..Older brains may be slower due to the higher capacity of stored knowledge..You should do well in your tests. Not to worry!
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From viewing the picture, I am kind of fond of the 1st. Yellow, from the top right of the picture. Don't know much but we have always had labs. Females are our favorite but we are by no means experts. We are 3 generations of Lankas labs, great dogs and have been the best of friends and just good ole friends.
The whole herd of them just make a person smile.
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I wish you the best of success, Kristin! Any one of those puppers would be blessed to have you raise them.
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No doubt you will succeed! :) Good luck and keep us posted.
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Some really disappointing news to report. I filled in my application the beginning of last October. I told them about Rusty -- a little stray who had adopted us and lives outside, doesn't come in the house, won't let us pet her and somewhat fearful of most people. I was very upfront.
They wrote back saying they had received the application and telling me they would put me on the list for the next class. Then a few weeks back, they write confirming that I want to be in the class and giving me all the details. Then several days after that, they write saying that they need to know whether the little stray is still with us and does she have her vaccines? I understand about the vaccines since I believe I would be getting an 8 week old puppy which is not fully vaccinated.
I write back and say she is still with us and I will now make an effort to capture her and take her vaccines in the next few days and let them know. This is the part that get disturbing. They then write back and say it is not just about the vaccines, they would need to know the dogs history and they are worried for the puppy's safety, etc etc. They are basically saying, without saying it that Rusty needs to go, they even suggest I contact animal control.
On one level, I understand, but on another I don't. The point of a puppy raiser is to have the dog with you 24/7. So a puppy lives and sleeps inside, it goes everywhere I go. If I am outside, it is on a lease with me either exercising or training etc. As long as Rusty had vaccines, I don't understand why she can't live with us outside, But they are the ones controlling the process and they don't sound really hopeful about a puppy at this point.
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I still think honesty is the best policy and I also think they are not being fair about this.
Living anywhere but rural for sure any and all animals have a good chance of being exposed to a lot of things, especially dogs because they naturally smell everything.
Is it possible to converse with them by phone? It can be difficult to get a sense of sincerity via electronic conversation. Just a thought.
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That really is disappointing. I'm sure they have good reason for their process, but at the same time it's frustrating that there isn't some flex built into it to accommodate situations that are outside of the box.
I'm hoping for a turn of events that will negate the concerns about Rusty.
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I heard back from the service dog organization. They apparently talked it over and decided that if Rusty is vaccinated and lives outside all the time, then the issue is closed. I still might not pass all my tests, but that is on me. I was relieved and happy that they listened to my concerns and were willing to be flexible. I think they have been more than fair.
Now to the big issue, wrangling a little dog who lives outside, will not allow herself to be touched and runs away if you make a sudden move. Ah, where are those fairies with the sleeping dust when you need them? :pig:
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I'm dead in the water on how to get Rusty to a veterinarian. There are several kinds of humane traps but I don't think she'll trust you ever again. Maybe someone else could trap her, take her to the vet and then release her near your home. In that way she won't associate you with the trauma.
You might contact Hope For Paws. They're headquartered in Los Angeles, I think. They oversee capturing and socializing feral dogs and are the only experts I know of.
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ask the vet what they would recommend
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ask the vet what they would recommend
I did. I have tried nearly everything they suggested -- try to lure her into the house, get her trust with treats so you can pet and handle, hold a treat in your hand and while she is reaching for it slip a noose around the head (have not tried that one because she is small and quick and I am big and clumsy and would probably lasso myself)
The one suggestion I have not tried -- buy a fishing net and throw it over her. Again, I don't think I am quick enough for that one. Since she seems to be distracted by the drone I am thinking I could have Bent fly the drone and distract her while I tried to throw a blanket over her, but I really done think I have the speed and co-ordination for that maneuver.
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I'm dead in the water on how to get Rusty to a veterinarian.
I am too. Does Rusty stay in a dog house? Maybe you could get her to go into a portable kennel of some sort with food if she's used to a dog house??
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Growing up, we had a Beagle that would have seizures of some sort on long car trips. The Vet gave us something to put in her food that let her sleep most of an 8 hour trip. It seems that Rusty's curiosity keeps him around, but his feral instincts kick in when you try to get close. Possibly they don't do this anymore as that was many years ago. With a dog so quick and agile, I don't know what else you might do. It's such a worthy cause, and I do hope it all works out for you.
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I'm dead in the water on how to get Rusty to a veterinarian.
I am too. Does Rusty stay in a dog house? Maybe you could get her to go into a portable kennel of some sort with food if she's used to a dog house??
I have one set up on the porch in this cold weather with blankets inside. It even has a big open doorway so she won't feel trapped. She refuses to go in it. I have put treats in in and she runs in and grabs the treat and runs out. So her house sits on the porch and right at the mouth of it I have built a blanket fortress with lawn chairs and blankets to shelter her from the wind on one side with the dog house on another and our house on the third side. That leaves one side open and she seems ok with that. Then I have piled fleece blankets and a fake lamb's wool blanket in a bowl like mound and she snuggles in there every night.
Bent thinks I am a psycho and go to extremes, but we have had some 0 degrees night with winds and I am just trying to make sure she is warm and protected. He keeps saying "If she is cold she will go inside the dog house with those blankets", but I have seen her shivering outside rather than go in and I just can't stand that.
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Growing up, we had a Beagle that would have seizures of some sort on long car trips. The Vet gave us something to put in her food that let her sleep most of an 8 hour trip. It seems that Rusty's curiosity keeps him around, but his feral instincts kick in when you try to get close. Possibly they don't do this anymore as that was many years ago. With a dog so quick and agile, I don't know what else you might do. It's such a worthy cause, and I do hope it all works out for you.
I asked them today if they would prescribe a sedative so I could get her to them and they said they could not do that.
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Good news coupled with another challenge. Still, you're further along than you were at this point yesterday. If you were able to trap her do you think she would react aggressively or maybe hurt herself trying to escape?
If not, seeing as how she will go into the portable kennel after treats maybe you could rig up a way to get that door closed when she's in there for that second or so. But then you could probably say good-bye to her ever trusting you even this much again. :2cents:
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The 1st time we "trapped" her in the mud room with a blanket, I had my welding gloves on. She nipped at me twice and then seemed to calm down. I held her on the couch for about 5 minutes and let her go. 2nd time, did not need the blanket, still wore gloves, but no nip, trying to hold and pet her for about 10 minutes, she was still very nervous and shook half the time. 3rd time was even easier and I did not wear gloves, she did not shake at all, but held here in my lap even longer, but you knew she did not want to be there. The last time we picked her up, all 4 paws were dirty, so we put her in kitchen sink and washed them off. I thought she would go ballistic, she did not...but that was the last time she ever wanted to come back in the house. Has been back outside ever since, so I guess she figured not having the option to be trapped and pick up was better then being in a warm house over night.
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EUREKA!!!!! It wasn't cold this morning, so I left the door open a crack and, after several minutes of putting her head in and out and whining, Rusty walked inside and around the house and I was able to close the door.
At this point, my plan is to keep her inside and go to town and get a harness to put on her. I will then attach a lead to the harness to take her in and out for bathroom breaks and exercise. This will allow me to get her to the vet for the first round of shots and then keep her in the house to get the second round in about 3 weeks. It also let's the vet check for worms and general health and look at her eye.
I am sure that once I let her outside again, she will hate me, but I will have to chance it. I want her checked over and vaccinated, especially against rabies since it has been found in the county.
If anyone has a better idea, I sure am willing to listen.
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Something you might try is to get down to her level eliminating the dominant stance..While in her sight and at a distance, lie down, relax. You must be calm and relaxed as animals sense your composure. If she isn't bothered by your talking, say a few softly spoken words..Don't look directly at her.. You should be alone with no loud or sudden noises..If she isn't interested after several minutes, calmly get up while talking softly and walk away from her without looking at her..She has been deeply hurt and will have a hard time to trust people..She may with reservation, over time, on her terms accept a person..It will be a long slow and trying process...Softly say to Rusty, Rusty-Canadian John Likes you. Keep us posted please.
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Keep us posted please.
And see if you can get a couple of pictures without scaring her. For us animal lovers.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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Old one and kind of bad photo skills by me. I found out today she is a little shy of 20 lbs and somewhere between 2 and 5 years old.
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OK, I know I have to stop with the cute puppy pics, but this one from the new litter is just too cute. I start class on Tuesday night. Hope all goes well.
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Cute for sure. Reminds me of my first dog. Had him for over 17 years..Now on with the work.
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How has the stray dog been, has she warmed up to you yet.
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She actually has come in and spent the night inside for the last 2 nights. I know I sound mean, but I think she knows Bent isn't here and so will just freely walk in and out. I should probably try and keep her inside, but she doesn't return to the vet for over two weeks and that might border on impossible. So I am hoping to keep her coming and going into the house and, maybe a couple of days before the vet visit just keep her inside.
ps -- even though she comes in, she still won't let me touch or pet her!
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That sounds great, I think it will take some time. Does she know ant commands like sit, shake a paw.
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No, I think she maybe responds to "come" when we are outside, but that may just be a lot of wishful thinking on my part.
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That puppers is adorable! Man, I've got a soft spot for labs. My wife wants our next dog to be a mix, but I'm hoping it will still look somewhat like a lab.
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First puppy raiser class in the books. Learned a little about SDV and their training methods.They place dogs with folks with physical disabilities, autism dogs and diabetes alert dogs. For the first year, the puppy is raised in a home and learns basic skills (potty training, living inside and behaving, basic commands, getting familiar with a lot of different experiences and places). The second year they go back to the facility. From 9 to 5 each day, they work with professional trainers on a variety of commands and situations. In the evenings and on weekends they go home with local folks who also work with them on commands and training. It costs $40,000 to raise a dog through this program and they are given to the client at the end of the training for free. Last night, we worked with adult dogs in their second year of training, so they already knew a lot and helped me!! Learned how to properly walk on a lead, the commands let's go, look, touch, sit and down. Learned how to use a clicker in training followed by a treat -- not easy to do when you have no coordination like me. Also, they have a specific way they want you to hold the lead while training the dog which was a bit of a trial for me, especially with a clicker in the same hand! Had to concentrate pretty intensely for 2 hours while walking with the dog, giving commands, clicks, treats, and talking with the dog to form a bond. Learned a lot! Will see what next week brings.
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That is really neat. A terrific way to help others. Congratulations
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An interesting, challenging and rewarding future awaits..Thank you for your gift of time. Some very special person will reap the rewards of your labour.
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Well, I apparently passed my 4 week training class. It was a strain because they do nearly everything different from the prior group I worked with and all their commands are different. We have the home inspection this Wednesday -- maybe I should have Bent bbq them something to soften them up!!!! :pig:
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Kristin: That would be considered a bribe. Excellent idea for sure.. Way to go on the 4 weeks! :D
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Wondering...
What do you think will become of your new member and the current member?
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Wondering...
What do you think will become of your new member and the current member?
I am not exactly following what you are asking Bobitis. I will go into lawyer mode -- could you rephrase the question please?
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just wondering how the new pup will accept the outsider and vs versa.
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Ah, thanks. We have had a sad development. Took Rusty to the vet. She came home and got outside, but came back in willingly, so I thought that if she wanted to be out I would let her. She spent the next two nights inside and then went out for two nights and then disappeared for 3 days. I was looking all over for her, driving up and down all the roads. Nearly 3 days to the minute she returned.
I am thinking, oh she got lost but found her way home. Good. She stayed overnight and left the next morning and has not returned and it has been nearly 4 weeks. Again, have looked all over for her. She seemed in good shape when she returned after the 3 days, not particularly hungry. I don't know if taking her to the vet so stressed her out that she started looking for a new place to live. I like to think she has found some place better, but am worried. But there is nothing I can do.
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Oh man hopefully she is safe. That's never easy, sorry to hear.
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Man, that just breaks your heart. Sorry to hear about that, Kristin. I hope you're holding up well with all of the stress from the training, Rusty, home inspection,
Bentley, major cooks, and all the stuff we know nothing about.
I'm glad to hear you passed your training!
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Well, had the home inspection today. I don't know if I passed or not. They took pictures and looked around. They posted today that the puppies turn 8 weeks on March 14 and will go to their puppy raisers at that time, so I would think I would hear yeah or nay in the next couple of day. Here are the adorable 8 in their little service vests!! Photo credit: Rich Tarbell
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Good luck.
Good looking litter!!
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Well, huge disappointment. I was advised by email this morning that, since I am working to try and get the former service dog organization shut down, they don't want me to raise a puppy for them.
I don't see the connection. Before I took the first class I disclosed my association and activities vis-a-vis the former group and was never questioned on it. So I am not sure why they let me go through 4 weeks of classes and a home inspection and never have a discussion with me on the issue. In fact, if I had not voluntarily disclosed the info, they would have never known. But it is a huge disappointment to me right now.
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Very sorry to hear that Kristin! I can see why you would be frustrated.
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That is a very sad development, you are not always rewarded for doing the right thing. Very sorry to hear.
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What? They bring you this far into the process and NOW bring that up?! Are they that concerned about how it would look to have a puppy raiser from their organization actively trying to shut down another one? Even though you joined them after you left the previous group?
I'm so sorry, Kristin. It's not right and I feel really bad for you.
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There are always things in life that I just don't understand at all.
Very sad, Kristin.
You are such a dedicated individual and certainly deserve better than this.
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Did Rusty come back?
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Did Rusty come back?
No, we keep looking but I have no idea where she could have gone. I try to think positive and imagine that she has found a nicer home with maybe some other dogs to play with so I don't drive myself crazy with worry.
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Well folks, hope springs eternal! I was somewhat downcast that I would not be able to raise a service puppy. I started looking around again, not being very hopeful since the only other organization I knew of was Guiding Eyes for the Blind and you needed to travel to Alexandria every week for evening classes and that was a bit farther than I wanted to go. But I looked at the site again and saw that they now had a chapter operating in the Mananas area, about the same distance I had been traveling to Charlottesville.
So I have an application in with them and I think I will start pre-placement classes here in a couple of weeks. So I will keep you all apprised!,
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Hope all goes well and you get to start on your new venture very soon.
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Manassas, The home of Dizzy Pig rubs. You do a two in one. Service dog and visit Chris Capel (Dizzy Pig).. Hope this turns out for you. Your perseverance has to pay off at some point. :)
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I'm so happy for you! And I'm happy for those future pups and their future owners.
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I have been accepted to be a puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind -- Prince William Region. I will have to go through a couple of pre-placement classes in the next few weeks and they expect to place puppies on May 14. If you ever want to read a book on what these dogs can do, get hold of "Thunder Dog", the story of a blind man with a service dog who lead him down from the top reaches of the World Trade Center on 9-11 and never left his side or failed in her mission even through the smoke and chaos -- and the dog was trained by Guiding Eyes.
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Congratulations, can only imagine your excitement! Way to go.
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Congrats Kristin :clap:
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Wow! Congratulations, Kristin! The puppies you care for are lucky.
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I am on to the final phase. I am to puppy sit for a week from April 30 to May 7 and have my last class on May 1. I am puppy sitting Hodge, the little black lab in the photo above. He is now 5 months old, so a little bigger than in the photo. I have met him a couple of times and he is a real sweetie, so should be a good way of getting me back into a routine.
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That’s great stuff. Good looking dog and I love the name, Congratulations on your new adventure!
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Excellent news Kristin!
I'm curious as to what makes a dog a good candidate for this type of service.
Is it breed oriented? Size? Personality (again with the breed thing), or some other abstraction?
Dogs play pivotal roles in any number of circumstances. Guard dogs, attack dogs, military/police/bomb-drug sniffing, etc.
Is there something inherently special about service dogs?
Sorry if that came of awkward...
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I know that reputable service dog organizations screen their puppies at several different times in their life before placement to make sure the dog is a match for its life of service. Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB) has the most extensive program which I have heard about to date.
I am sure that there are a lot of folks on this site who have a lot more knowledge of dogs and labs, in particular, than I do, so they might add something to the conversation. GEB has primarily moved to labs because of their temperament and training ability and drive to please. Labs are also a good size to be a guide dog. I think one of the biggest traits they look for is for the dog to be focused on their person, be patient, and to be focused on their task. They breed their own dogs, selecting dogs for the breeding program who have shown all the traits they want. They have a program for the puppies from the moment they are born.
They start handling the puppies at 3 days old to get them use to humans. At 5 weeks, they are separated from mom and start their training -- easy stuff like following a human, looking constantly at a human ("checking in"), meeting people politely and calmly, and sitting. At 8 weeks, they are professionally evaluated using a criteria developed by GEB. This is the first level that some pups don't pass. Some may have health issues which are spotted, but even at 8 weeks some are eliminated as not having the temperament and attention to be a service dog and especially a guide dog.
At 8 weeks they are placed with a puppy raiser. I will then attend classes weekly until the pup reaches 5 months. At every class, the pup is being assessed by a professional trainer. At 5 months, we start going to class every other week and again are being assessed by a professional trainer. At the end of 6 months, I fill out an evaluation, the professional fills out an evaluation and the pup is tested. A pup can be eliminated from the program at this point. If s/he continues on, we do the same training and class routine until the 12 month mark. Then a repeat of the evals and potential for being eliminated from the program. Then continue on until between 14 and 16 months. If the pup is still in the program at this point, it is returned to the training facility in New York and, after a couple days of getting use to the facility, goes through the "In For Training" (IFT) test. If the pup passes this test, this is a day of great rejoicing because it means that the pup has been accepted for advanced training and will now work in harness and learn to guide a person.
The dog will go through 4 more months of professional training and could even wash out at any point in this process. At the end of 4 months, the dog is matched with their human and they train as a team for another month, always being evaluated. Dogs who aren't selected for GEB dogs often go to other agencies as working dogs -- they train for bomb and drug detection etc. So they may have many traits that make them a productive working dog, they just don't have that little bit of extra focus/concentration/patience that makes them a guide dog.
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Meet Hodge. He is 5 and 1/2 months old and came to us yesterday afternoon and will be with us for one week. This is part of my pre-placement training. I believe I will get my pup on May 14. Hodge knows a lot and is a very sweet boy.
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Good looking pup, I bet you are going to have a great time with him and congratulations again.
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I know that the vast majority of you have probably not followed my journey being a puppy raiser and were not aware that I have been working to have the prior organization I raised puppies for legally held accountable for selling "service dogs" which did not work and actually made life for difficult for folks with disabilities -- and they paid $25,000 for that privilege. The man who ran the organization was just doing evil and I -- and many others -- have actively tried for a year to get him shut down. It had become very discouraging and I was convinced that he was just going to skate.
Well, yesterday, the Virginia Attorney General filed a massive 122 page complaint against him for various types of consumer fraud -- including an allegation that he falsely claimed to be a former Marine who had trained dogs in the service. I was especially pleased to see that charge since I think stolen valor is particularly despicable. So, I lost hope too early and maybe he will be brought to justice!!
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"Justice will prevail"... It is heartbreaking that a person is able to take advantage of someone in need..Yes I have been following your journey with interest.
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We have also followed with interest and hopefully he will get what is due him and the recipients of the dogs will also hopefully be made whole again.
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The article showed up on my Google feed yesterday.
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Well, my journey to find a new puppy raising organization has now come to an end. I have taken all my pre-placement classes,I did a successful puppy sit, I have received all my crates and playpens and purchased the approved toys. And Dozer arrives at 3 pm today in Fairfax. So this chapter is closed and a new adventure with my new 4 month old service puppy in training starts!!! I won't be posting in this thread anymore, but I will start a new thread with Dozer and update with a picture from time to time. Thanks for all your nice comments and support, it has been appreciated!
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Congrats Kristin :cool: