i finally pulled my finger out ;)

nannytone_2

after about 18 months of dithering, i finally phoned and asked to start the guide dog application process.
still not totally convinced that i'm ready for that step but it won't hurt to have all the information

Indie_Kid

Good luck! I have friends with guide dogs. Wonderful animals they are.

nannytone_2

they are wonderful, but i'm still a bit unsure of whether i will be able to put all my trust in a dog ... and it only works if you can trust them!

Cyclamen

Well done .. I think that is brave.

I have anonline friend who fosters the puppies and starts their training.. a LOT of work goes into them.

I have never heard of it going wrong with a guide dog..i'm sure it would make the news

But yes i think i would be scared too..

i assume the training you do together builds the trust between you and dog

good luck

Indie_Kid

Nannytone - is it possible for you to update this thread when you start the training please? It would be interesting to see how you get on and what happens.

fed_up_and_stressed

No direct experience of guide dogs other than petting them but if the standard is similar to Canine Partners for Independence then I would trust the dog more than an untrained human companion.

nannytone_2

apparantly, being blind and wanting a guide dog is only a small part of the process.
they said that unless i am able to completely trust the dog they wouldnt give me one, as if i stop the dog/try to change its direction, it will quite quickly revert to being just a dog... letting the human take control///
thats the bit i am worried about. even when i'm with someone ... if i 'think' i see a step or a kerb, i will stop even if i am told there is nothing therte
if i do that with a person i'm sure it will be hard not to do it with a dog!

indie////
i will let you know what happens. theyre sending me forms and then someone will visit to see if i am a suitable candidate/
if i'm not they will suggest other options to help me be independant

Cyclamen

I too would be really interested to see your experience nannytone.

I do wonder if you'd learn to trust the dog.. but see your point

nannytone_2

the problem isnt really trusting the dog i suppose.
its learning to NOT TRUST myself
i see very little detail ....
although i see people... i can tell roughly how tall they are and if they have dark or light hair but i cant make out faces. i rarely see where a pavement stops and a road begins.
i also have no peripheral sight and only see anout the size of a 5p... and as i said, it is poor quality sight.
yet it is still almost impossible to ignore what i think i am seeing
it drives me mad ... but not as mad as it makes the people that are with me and the people who pile into the back of me when i stop suddenly

skintmacflint

Wish you well Nannytone and can understand your worries. If it turns out that you're not a suitable candidate due to trust issues for now, at least you know you've tried that option.

I've sponsored several Guide Dog Pups in training and think it's a great option for people.

Used to see a man with his guide dog get on the train every day , into the Glasgow on his way to work. Was amazing to see how this partnership worked. And there were a number of steep stairs for them to negotiate to reach the platform he got on at.

Hope it works out and will be interested to read how you get on.

micky2phones

nannytone wrote: »

apparantly, being blind and wanting a guide dog is only a small part of the process.
they said that unless i am able to completely trust the dog they wouldnt give me one, as if i stop the dog/try to change its direction, it will quite quickly revert to being just a dog... letting the human take control///
thats the bit i am worried about. even when i'm with someone ... if i 'think' i see a step or a kerb, i will stop even if i am told there is nothing therte
if i do that with a person i'm sure it will be hard not to do it with a dog!

indie////
i will let you know what happens. theyre sending me forms and then someone will visit to see if i am a suitable candidate/
if i'm not they will suggest other options to help me be independant

Hi im sure you will feel fine once you have a dog,you go for it nannytone. x