My Guide Dogs
Over the years starting from 1968 to the present I've had 6 guide dogs: Tony who was a black lab, Alex a yellow lab, Nestle a chocolate lab, Holly a chocolate lab, Alf a yellow lab and Aiden a black lab. Today I have Alf, the retired dog, and Aiden the working dog. I'm going to share some pictures of the dogs with you. I think you'll enjoy them and get a real kick out of seeing some of them as puppies.
People ask me many questions about guide dogs, such as why do some people have guide dogs and others don't. And I tell them it's a personal choice. Some people don't want the responsibilty of caring for a dog. Having a guide dog is the equivilant to having a child. That means you must find time to walk the dog, feed the dog, play with the dog, and attend to the dog's health. This may be time consuming if you have a busy schedule and a family.
Having a guide dog gives a blind person more independance. That is to say, once the dog learns the route and recognizes the location you want the dog will go there all the time. You may not want to go there at times but dogs are creatures of habit. And when the dog does go to the location you praise the dog and let the dog know that you're pleased.
Having a retired guide dog can sometimes present another problem. Alf, the puppy you see below, had to retire early because he got burnt out at 8 years old. Guide dogs get burnt out just like poeple at different rates. But then what happens it becomes an abrupt change for the dog who is no longer working. There's no transitional period. And sometimes this results in behavioral problems. Especially if the dog is being left alone for part of the day.
The good news is that when I got Aiden my working dog and introduced him to Alf they got along instantly and to this day they play together. And Alf loves when I return with Aiden.
One night during the summer I opened the sliding doors in the kitchen to let Alf and Aiden out. Aiden came back in but Alf didn't. At 1 AM I heard a dog bark and I was thinking to myself it must be a neigbor's dog. And at that point I got out of bed, called Alf and realized that it was Alf in the backyard wanting to get in. And the next night I let the dogs out again this time Alf came in and I left Aiden outside. Same thing happened, late that night I heard a dog barking and assumed it was the neighborr's dog. But as I started to wake I realized maybe it's one of my dogs and sure enough, Alf responded when I called him but no Aiden. There he was outside eager to get in. Thankfully both times the dogs had been fed, it was a mild summer evening, there's a water dish out back for the dogs and the yard is fenced in. However when I told my friend what happened she said to me, or should say scolded me, telling me that I need to take better care of my children! And what could I say? No harm done but it made me very careful to check that they are both in the house.
This story leads right into another important point to consider when you contemplate whether a guide dog is right for you. Make sure your yard is fenced in. The guide dogs are trained to stay with you and subsequenly very early on form a strong bond and love for you. But, if you leave them alone outside for a period of time they may be inclined to wander because dogs are naturally inquisitive.
People ask me many questions about guide dogs, such as why do some people have guide dogs and others don't. And I tell them it's a personal choice. Some people don't want the responsibilty of caring for a dog. Having a guide dog is the equivilant to having a child. That means you must find time to walk the dog, feed the dog, play with the dog, and attend to the dog's health. This may be time consuming if you have a busy schedule and a family.
Having a guide dog gives a blind person more independance. That is to say, once the dog learns the route and recognizes the location you want the dog will go there all the time. You may not want to go there at times but dogs are creatures of habit. And when the dog does go to the location you praise the dog and let the dog know that you're pleased.
Having a retired guide dog can sometimes present another problem. Alf, the puppy you see below, had to retire early because he got burnt out at 8 years old. Guide dogs get burnt out just like poeple at different rates. But then what happens it becomes an abrupt change for the dog who is no longer working. There's no transitional period. And sometimes this results in behavioral problems. Especially if the dog is being left alone for part of the day.
The good news is that when I got Aiden my working dog and introduced him to Alf they got along instantly and to this day they play together. And Alf loves when I return with Aiden.
One night during the summer I opened the sliding doors in the kitchen to let Alf and Aiden out. Aiden came back in but Alf didn't. At 1 AM I heard a dog bark and I was thinking to myself it must be a neigbor's dog. And at that point I got out of bed, called Alf and realized that it was Alf in the backyard wanting to get in. And the next night I let the dogs out again this time Alf came in and I left Aiden outside. Same thing happened, late that night I heard a dog barking and assumed it was the neighborr's dog. But as I started to wake I realized maybe it's one of my dogs and sure enough, Alf responded when I called him but no Aiden. There he was outside eager to get in. Thankfully both times the dogs had been fed, it was a mild summer evening, there's a water dish out back for the dogs and the yard is fenced in. However when I told my friend what happened she said to me, or should say scolded me, telling me that I need to take better care of my children! And what could I say? No harm done but it made me very careful to check that they are both in the house.
This story leads right into another important point to consider when you contemplate whether a guide dog is right for you. Make sure your yard is fenced in. The guide dogs are trained to stay with you and subsequenly very early on form a strong bond and love for you. But, if you leave them alone outside for a period of time they may be inclined to wander because dogs are naturally inquisitive.
Alf
Alf is a tired little puppy!
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Alf
Here Alf is with a basket full of puppies.
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Alf
Posing for the camera and then time for a nap!
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Alf
Here's Alf posing for the camera again!
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Alf
Alf turns 1!
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Alf
Alf is getting big!
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Alf
Training is going well!
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Alf
Training is over. Alf accompanies me to lunch with a friend.
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Alf
Alf and I outside my friend's house.
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Alf
Posing for the camera before Alf and I go out.
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Alf
Alf and I going for a walk.
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Alf
Outside my friend's house with Alf. Christmas is coming and I'm wearing my red jacket!
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Guide Dog Training
This is the first time that I've been privileged to have pictures of me and my guide dog as we trained and bonded. Aiden is my 6th guide dog.
Training with Aidan
Teaching Aidan how to stop at the down curb and learning how and when to cross with traffic.
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Training with Aidan
Once an old train track now a hiking path for all to enjoy.
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Training with Aidan
Continuing on the hiking path. It's a 2 - 3 mile walk good exercise for me and Aidan.
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Training with Aidan
Getting read for with trainer indoors.
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Training with Aidan
In my room with Aidan.
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Training with Aidan
Praising Aidan for his good work.
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Training with Aidan
Learing how to enter a rail road station and negotiate the surroundings safely.
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Training with Aidan
Learning how to travel in city conditions.
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Training with Aidan
Indoor training session.
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Training with Aidan
Learning a route working in tandem.
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Training with Aidan
Learning the environment.
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Training with Aidan
Reaching the up curb with Aidan.
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