Packing for Guide Dog Training | TOP Things to Bring to Guide Dog Training | What NOT to Bring!

[@dinahakim7114]

Good to see you back you changed your KZbin name I was confused but then when I started watching your videos I knew who you were And I got my first guide dog from guide dogs of America here in California in Sylmar which is only 30 minutes away from where I live

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

That’s SO nice!!! And it has to be so convenient to have the organization so close to you, should you actually need anything or need to work closely on anything with staff!

[@emaildavinam]

I’m commenting as I go along here, but very good advice about the shoes. I do a lot of walking, even more on a daily basis that I did in a guy dog school when I had a guide dog. Last year, I had a stress fracture in my foot and I am no longer able to walk as much as I used to. I was walking about 10 km per day easily. So yes, be very kind to your feet. You don’t realize how important they are until you can’t use them. Or until you have to walk with a crutch or an orthopedic boot. I want to Southeastern in Florida, and I was lucky to have a little crazy Hungarian Vizsla as a guide dog. I don’t think they breed them anymore. Since I work in Asia, I would not get a second guide dog. And I don’t think I could ever replace my insane little friend… I am still only about 80 pounds, and I was only 19 when I had my guide dog, so everybody thought that I was a little girl and that southeastern was breeding dogs for children ha ha. I looked very young at the time.

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

LOL. I can just imagine the two of you tiny and roaring along at super speed!

[@theahlawrence4007]

Cute staring contest with Cassa! Love you!!

[@frankteunissen6118]

Dogs, working dogs, tend not to take too kindly to being pensioned off. I’ve had tussles between my dogs, no-one was hurt, for primacy of place when walking to heel in the field. Also, major pouting if Stinker (i.e. the newbie) was told to go for a retrieve.

[@mamablubird]

This was perfect! Is there a second video?

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

I’m going to have to watch this video-I suspect I talked about making a second video and didn’t?! Lol. I’ll check on it!

[@max-ob7tz]

Can you do a video on all the gear you use.. and if it weird to have capes and vestes on your guied dog ..? Im trying to apply for one from leader dogs for the blind in michigan

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Yes! I can... another subscriber who’s scheduled for training with GDB asked for an everyday gear video as well! I will do that soon!

[@LifeAfterSightLoss]

Great video as usual nicole! Wonderful information. Keep up the good work!

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Hope it ends up being helpful to you, very soon!! 😃

[@LifeAfterSightLoss]

The Blind Mom Next Door me too!😂

[@BlindtoBillionaire]

Hi! Thank you so much for this video. I just subscribed and have been enjoying your videos. You have a lot of great content in your videos are very informative. Thank you so much for creating this content for us. I am blind with retinitis pigmentosa. I do not have a guide dog, but for see that in my future at some point. Thanks again! :-)

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Thanks for joining us!! So many of my close friends have RP! We all may have different conditions causing our blindness, but we share so many things in common as well-like the strength and creativity to overcome and contribute great things to the world! Can’t wait to get to know you better!!

[@LiveAccessible]

Awesome Nicole! ❤️ If figaro is your 3rd, where's your second one? Just curious. 😁 By the way the thumbnails are super cuteeee especially that tie!! Love that it has braille too (But maybe try for full landscape. 😀)

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Yeah, full landscape didn’t work out today. I’ve been having some issues with the custom thumbnail size limitations. It is what it is. Megan, my second guide dog, is in Colorado with her puppy raising family, and we’ve stayed close to them. She developed severe environmental allergies in our area and had to retire to maintain her health, but she is able to be in Colorado without any medications or symptoms. She’s so very loved by so many, and she is enjoying helping to mentor future guide dogs, and excelling at agility with her mom.

[@BlindtoBillionaire]

Oh hey, one more thing. I forgot to mention, I am also here in Minnesota. LOL, that is way too funny. May I ask where you’re located in Minnesota? I live in the west metro, in Plymouth and grew up in Chanhassen. It would be so much fun to talk and get to know more about you! Possibly even meet in person someday! Thanks again, I look forward to more of your videos! Matt

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Yes! We live in a suburb of Saint Paul! We come out to Shakopee most summers for the Ren Fest!! I can’t say we make it to Plymouth or Chanhassen very often, but absolutely it would be great to meetup sometime!!

[@emaildavinam]

My crazy little dog didn’t likecongs. she preferred boyfriends Ha ha ha. She was like the queen of the kennel. She was the smallest dog, but I think the most popular Ha ha ha.k other than boyfriends, she liked soft things that would play music, I found a dog that would play that song who let the dogs out, and that I think was her favorite thing for a long time. But she really wasn’t into any plastic sort of thing.

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

😂😂😂

[@megandmauiguidingpaws]

This was so helpful. I live in mn too. I am low vision and getting my first dog they still say spring. I am getting mine through occupaws. I also have what was formally known as aspergers syndrome. I was wondering if u have thoughts on things I might expect. I watch your videos all the time. I am worried about how this is going to go for me. I am a cane user currently. Thanks

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Hi MH!! It’s so nice to hear from you! Our daughter has level II autism, but I suspect years ago they would have actually diagnosed her with Aspergers. I’m not sure how training goes with Occupaws, but if it is similar to GDB, and if your challenges with autism are at all similar to Evie’s, you may really thrive with the kind of structured and scheduled part of guide dog training! GDB provides class materials well ahead of time so you can either read and prepare well in advance so you feel prepared, or you can choose to re-read the materials each evening before the next day’s training. I would also encourage you to be very open with your training staff regarding your strengths and challenges, your preferred learning styles, and just how you do things best. We ALL have our differences, and the organizations we work with should make their best efforts to meet us where we’re at and try to teach to the student in front of them. In my training experiences, the staff and volunteers have been phenomenal at that.

[@megandmauiguidingpaws]

@@theblindmomnextdoor thank u so much. Yes they r I work but it's very structured. This place comes to me.

[@kariannelunde6103]

What happend to Figaro? Or is this a general future tips? I am so sorry if this is tuff to speak of. Hugs from me and guide dog Wizzy in Norway

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Figaro is fine. No worries!! 😂. He was downstairs snuggling with my husband while I filmed this video!

[@kariannelunde6103]

Oh great! I was worried he had to retire early. He is so cute! My dog is also a black lab male

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

Nope! He’s all good!! He just didn’t feel like hanging out with me. 😂. The male black labs sure are handsome, aren’t they?! 😂😂😂

[@mamablubird]

Can you tell me what you are sent home with when you get your guide dog? I’d like to travel with just a carry on but I’m not sure if I need bigger luggage.

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

I guess it depends on your needs during training. I wouldn’t be able to pack just a carry on for guide dog training, but I’m sure some people can. You need clothing appropriate for the weather and your own tolerances, though at GDB you’d have access to laundry facilities in your dorm if needed, so you could pack less clothing. There’s just not loads of down-time to do extra tasks.

[@theblindmomnextdoor]

I guess it depends on your needs during training. I wouldn’t be able to pack just a carry on for guide dog training, but I’m sure some people can. You need clothing appropriate for the weather and your own tolerances, though at GDB you’d have access to laundry facilities in your dorm if needed, so you could pack less clothing. There’s just not loads of down-time to do extra tasks.