Guide Dog Training

Reflections

Thursday 10 December 2009 at 08:11 am Following his first "aftercare" visit since completing his formal training with German Shepherd guide dog Vance, Robert Johnson reflects on four months of partnership and of time spent learning from each other. Read the full entry.

Grooming

Monday 05 October 2009 at 6:32 pm

"Doesn't he look lovely!"

"Hurray for German Sheperds!"

"What a stunning dog!"

Vance is getting somewhat used to basking in the glowing compliments that come his way - indeed, if his head gets much bigger I'll struggle to get his harness on.  But then he really is a quite magnificent dog.  His proud head, muscular legs, and classic black and tan markings really set him apart from your run-of-the-mill yellow or black Lab.  These are all important aspects that directly affect the way he is perceived by pthers - but so too, I would claim, is the splendid condition of his coat - which, if you will forgive a tiny bit of imodesty - is considerably down to me.

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A weekend of contrasts

Monday 28 September 2009 at 3:30 pm

True warm weather seems to have been something of a rarity these past few months.  It was therefore with some determination that Vance and I set out on Saturday afternoon to enjoy what could turn out to be the final weekend of summer (albeit an "Indian Summer").  Taking the Red Jet to Cowes Vance showed once more what he was really made of - enthusiasm and courage combined with a good measure of work-ethic.

Sadly, a day later he also showed just how stubborn he can be.  This really was a weekend of contrasts, but the highs, at least, were really high.

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Working in the City

Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 2:18 pm

Vance was always meant to be a city dog.  When I was originally assessed before joining the waiting list one of the prime factors noted was my busy life, living and working in London.  Until last week, however, due to a number of issues, I hadn't been able to return to my London home, and consequently had not rehearsed any routes there.

All of that changed last Thursday (10/09/2009) when we made our way up to Waterloo for my final three days of training.  Here are my recollections of this short but intensive introduction to working a guide dog on the mean streets of London.

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True Indepedence

Wednesday 09 September 2009 at 12:49 pm Those who know me will understand, to some degree, the vast difference in my ability to travel independently during the day, and at night.  My eye condition means that, as the day draws to a close my vision reduces to seeing just lights - not what they're shining on, but the streetlights and headlights themselves.  I cannot see street furniture, parked vehicles, the pavement, people walking on the pavement, trees, bushes ... or just about any other obstacle that others use for safe navigation.  It was therefore with some trepidation that I approached my first ever walk in the dark with my new guide dog, Vance. Read the full entry.

Four Weeks On

Tuesday 08 September 2009 at 1:24 pm At the start of August 2009 I began training with my first ever guide dog, a German Shepherd called Vance.  In the run up to the start of class I spent a considerable amount of time preparing my website for the posting of articles and audio diary entries.  Well, I'm afraid I have a bit of an apology to make... Read the full entry.

A Brief Audio Introduction

Monday 03 August 2009 at 06:48 am

In a week's time Robert Johnson will embark on a great new adventure, learning to use his new guide dog, Vance.  In this brief audio introduction Robert sets out his plans for keeping a guide dog training diary.

http://www.rjnet.co.uk/media/gdt_audio_001.mp3