About a month ago, the vision in my left eye "snuffed out" in the course of surgery for glaucoma( 1/100 odds) . Right eye was just operated on last week, and when it stabilizes, I may have maybe 20% vision left for now.

Need to be looking around for a good candidate for a service dog, and good training. Luckily, there is only about 7 miles away (will be 30 miles away shortly--this all caught me in the middle of a house move) a training operation run by Willing Partners--does anyone here have any first-hand experience with them?
Many of the guide and service dog groups appear to use whatever dog you show up with--if it qualifies. Some have sponsorship ads by breeders, and some say that they screen for the best of the rescue shelter dogs. Does anybody have info on breeeder / rescue facility what to loook for or what to avoid in either a dog or a rescue place?

Thanks for any thoughts

BTW: Friends, if there is a history of glaucoma on either side of your family, and you are not getting regular checkups, get established with an eye care place for regular care. It really sucks being blind, and it hurts like hell when you get up to pee in the middle of the night, get the wrong door, and fall down the stairs.

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de minimus non curat lex

Rusty,
I'm no help with a Dog, just wishing you good luck on your search.
tb

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frontsightnsqueaz

I have no personal experience with Willing Partners, but their hearts are in the right place, and I've never heard anything bad about them.

I wish you all the luck in the world in your search for the right canine partner. The only advice I can offer is since your canine needs will be vision-related, I would look for a medium- to large-size dog...a dog strong enough to stop you if you're heading for a fall or approaching a busy street or something. I think you will need to feel the feedback through the leash or the handle of a harness, and you might not get that with a smaller dog.

Again, best of luck. A good canine partner will make all the difference in the world to you.

Good luck rusty with moving, finding, and training your new buddy.
The wrong door knob can be a Mother Tucker in the middle of the night for all us old guys.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and wish you the best.

I think a service dog at the level needed for you best come from a pup. Read up on what it takes to get a dog even to the first stages.

Canine Good Citizen is one such level of test for service dogs and there are many more. You danged sure don't want a dog that might bolt from or to an unusual distraction.

My wife wanted to do service dog training with our Portuguese Sheepdog but the dog wouldn't have ever passed the test as good as she is. She's just not cut for crowds.

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Dum vivo cano

...Goldens, Labs and Collies together. Maybe call it a Golaco. But they are all good service dogs and the best dog I ever had was this mix. Big enough, smart enough, calm enough and more than loyal enough.

Watch for hip displasia. That's one reason I'd like to mix them for a healthier, more sound dog that isn't prone to congenital problems.

Update: I forgot to include German Shepherds in my best dog mix. I guess that would make it a Golaco Shepherd.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I too am sorry to hear this and offer my prayers and thoughts for the best possible outcome.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Praying you get by while this all sorts out.
Stay in touch...

I am already learning some of the everyday effects of being monocular, including mis-apprehension off distances:

1. I ingest less nicotine. Cigarettes don't last as long when lit in the middle.

2. Some social encounters can be awkward. For instance, when the objects under the T-shirt really are closer than they appear.

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de minimus non curat lex

Your sense of humor can't but help tremendously in this big transition

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

@rusty thread,

Sorry to hear about your vision.

I am no help with the group that you asked about. However, I think starting with a puppy may be the best move. I had an AKC Black Lab (Holly) since 2001. I became disabled in mid 2007, and a disabled single dad in 2009. Holly was with me every step of the way, acting as a baby watcher and my service dog, she grew into the role. When she had to be put down in 2011, I acquired 2 AKC Chocolate Labs (Folly and Hershey) who grew up with me disabled and awkward on my feet. They grew into assisting me, but I should have gotten some formal service dog training for them.

Sandy, my parents' Shepherd, was also a great aid when my nephew started walking. Between Holly and Sandy, they would get together and guide my nephew away from hazards and kept him safe. Good dogs have great instincts, but sometimes, they can benefit from formal training.

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Judge control not gun control!

Post-op eval today. Bit better than expected. Still several weeks to g before the eye has stabilized enough to prescribe glasses.. Still high likelihood that progress of disease will continue toward darkness.
d
Doc says there is some (not large) possibility that after rehab I might be able to drive again--months down the road if at all. but that since I want to get a dog anyway (one of the reasons we are moving to a more rural area), I might as well bet a good pup and start training in case it turns out to have what it takes to be a guide dog in the future. Meantime, I am reading and typing with a honkin big magnifying glass in one hand.

Lookin very closely at flowers and pretty women and all manner of things I've taken for granted, filling up memory just in case.

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de minimus non curat lex

Keep us posted on your progress, both with your vision and the prospective dog situation.

Continuing to wish you the best.

I know nothing about the group you mention. However, my own dear wife has just obtained an Australian shepherd pup to become a service dog for her. She suffers debilitating RA, along with a few other ailments.

She researched this question pretty exhaustively and decided that this breed and this pup were for her.

I know at some point he will be sent away for some kind of training to learn to assist her with some everyday chores like carrying items and alerting to fluctuations in her blood sugar. How, beats me?

At the moment, this pup has become an entertaining and already much loved addition to our family. For the future I'm hoping this dog will be the service intended for her.

I'll be interested in your search and hope you can update us with your story and selection.

Good luck!

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America First

Rustythread:

Sorry to read of your plight. I hope things work out for you, and I'll keep a good thought for you going forward.

I know from experience you aren't supposed to "mess" with a service dog when they are on duty. No petting them, no giving them treats, etc. A couple of weeks ago, I was doing the weekly grocery shopping. Approaching me down one of the aisles was an old lady with a beautiful Golden Retriever as a guide dog (she was being led by a younger lady). We both had to stop due to traffic, and her dog began sniffing my pant leg - no doubt she was smelling my new Schnauzer puppy. The dog suddenly looked up at me, and I swear she was embarrassed at getting caught in an "off-duty" moment. I looked down at her and said "Hi baby!", and she started to vigorously wag her tail. Her mistress turned in my direction and asked: "Are you flirting with my girl?" I told her: "Lady, I've been called an *** so many times in my life, I thought I'd get a professional opinion." That lady started laughing and said: "Oh my, you really are a bad boy, aren't you?" I responded: "Well, why do you think I was flirting with your girl?"

When I told my wife the story, she said I had probably made that old lady's day. I told her that old lady sure made my day, and I think we both had fun.

Good luck,

Dave

I always thought my Giant Schnauzer woulda made a great service dog. I took very little time to leash train him and not much longer off leash. The problem with him was distractions up until about a year. After a little practice, no problems.

The first year was crazy but funny to me when he tried me. I never hit him and most times I had to turn my back so he wouldn't see me smiling ear to ear.

29 inches at the shoulder. I never had to lean over to find his back and give him a pat. I'd bet that he coulda been a seeing eye dog even with out the harness.

Socialization and training take a good year plus for a large breed. Energy level for both the dog and the owner need to be addressed too.

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Dum vivo cano

A friend of mine is a puppy raiser for a Guide Dog organization. Most of them breed their own stock and are extremely tight on their requirements. He has two labs that they raised that they have as pets now that had minor medical issues and were rejected. A lot of the dogs not accepted to be guide dogs end up in law enforcement programs and those not suitable for that mission are either adopted by their raisers or as pets.

His first lab is trained as a search and rescue dog. The second is a therapy dog.


Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk

Just got a call from a friend who knows a long-time breeder of golden / poodles. I'm down for one in a litter to be born in about six months. Gives me time to get settled into the new house and get a good Fence around the yard. Won't be cheap, but they'reputed to be excellent dogs hope he / she isn't a holster chewer...
Pics when it happens

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de minimus non curat lex

Rusty, I, too have Glaucoma and have lost half the sight in my left eye.
Did the drops not work to keep the pressure down to a safe level?

I have a friend who has a year-old Goldendoodle. He is an outstanding dog...a wonderful companion, and smart as a whip. This dog will go to the fridge and get my friend a beer...in a bottle, no less...and bring it to him. He'll fetch the TV remote, too. I had seen stuff like that on TV but never in person. Damn near fell out of my chair!

A puppy will be teething during the first five to six months of his life. Keep anything you don't want chewed out of reach...out of sight, out of mind. And don't give him those rawhide chew things, either.

Fall and Winter are good times to raise a new puppy.

Since you are moving one of the best tips I read about elderly dementia would work will with a loss of vision. That is to paint the wall behind the toilet a contrasting color. White on white is difficult to see and has been a problem with dementia patients. I am not unaware of the obvious differences between dementia and glaucoma related vision loss, just tossing that out if it helps.

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Front sight and squeeze

A good seeing eye dog has about $30,000 worth of training before going to work. Other service dogs not so much. The seeing eye dog has to make life and death decision for a human, not just obey commands. Some providers work exclusively with certain breeders, as they want health and smarts in a guaranteed package.

The disease got to the point where no drop, or combination of drops, would keep pressures reliably below 20. Them, between one visua field check and another (6 months) Ilpst most of the vision on the left and about 80% on the right.
during the surgery on the left, my vision in that ryr "snuffed out", and I have about 1% left. The right, after surgery, still has about 20% of the visual fied operating on about 10% of the retina.. As you know,it's a ...ing adventure every day.

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Right eye is now stable to the point that I can get glasses--order is in for those (1 pair clear and one tinted, both with UV blockers, since I got lens implants as well). Left t eye is still at about 1% field of vision, right about 20% fov. Even without glasses, right eye is about 20/70 or so, and am beginning to be able to read large print without a magnifier.

Moving to new location still in works; spouse has to do all the driving, and due to back problems she can't drive my truck (3/4 tonner with a really stiff suspension and heavy-duty tires). I'm currently bolting up out of angle iron a long ramp to pull the heavy bits of machinery (metal lathe, huge cast-iron drill press, etc) up onto a trailer. Walkin' slow and drinkin' lots of cold water, since I'm working and loading alone while unable to see detail. It's an adventure.

No further info on dog; had the fence guy out yesterday, and suspect the fence will run about the same cost as my first three new cars combined.

If I were a believer in reincarnation, I'd have to guess that I was a real !@#$%^ in some former life.

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de minimus non curat lex

I'm glad you updated us as I saw your name on the forum, yesterday, and wondered how you were coming along.

You are still in my prayers.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Here is a tidbit on Willing Partners (if the correct one)
Charity Navigator - Unrated Profile for Willing Partners Canine Education Incorporated

and here:
BBB Business Profile | Willing Partners Canine Education

Though not rated by BBB ...it is telling that there are NO negatives either PLUS ...the business/organization is not a want to be ...their IRS filings are approaching 10 years old ...you don't get 10 years old in business doing bad or nothing

Good Luck
Bear

Dog breeder called yesterday--I'l soon have my pick from 5 or 6 black golden/doodles. Can anyone point me to a site with a good set of simple puppy intelligence tests?

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de minimus non curat lex

Something here threw up a big red flag for me. A conscientious Code of Ethics breeder would NEVER let a buyer have their pick of the litter. A proper breeder has spent every day with the litter, and knows which puppy will shine in a show ring, which puppy will make a great pet, which puppy has the temperament for a service dog. A good breeder will know which puppy is the correct fit for you, for your family, for the job the dog will be required to do. Please be very leery of dealing with a 'breeder' which would let you choose your own puppy.

Best of luck to you!

Lemme see, mostly blind and drives a jacked up 4x4. C'mon down to Florida, you'll fit right in.

BTW, I do like your sense of humor.

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NRA Benefactor

Shoot! lost reply in mid-draft. so will start over:

Wife and I spent several hours today with a goldendoodle breeder and a pile o' pups about 40 miles away. Pups are just about to be weaned. He spent a lot of time with us re what we expected, what was possible with his pups, and what salient characteristics each of the available pups demonstrated. We all wound up agreeing on a particular female (who happened to have crawled up into my lap and gone to sleep about 1/2 hour before).
It will be several weeks before the pup comes permanently, but they asked us to advise them of a name so she can get used to it, and for us to come visit to work with the pup.
This guy has been breeding for a while, and his pups generally go at $1K and up. I offered to give him a cash deposit, or the whole price, today
to hold the pup. He says, "You're not paying anything--you're a veteran."
After some discussion. we agreed in principle that I could donate enough so that he wouldn't come out in the hole donating the next pup to a veteran who hadn't gotten as lucky with the GI Bill as I did.

It's very welcome to be reminded occasionally that there are some damn' good people out there.

You are correct, sir. There are a lot of kind and caring souls out there and I'm glad you found one.

I am especially glad that you have also found that special friend to bond with.

God bless and I wish you all the best.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

@rustythread,

Outstanding! The pups that choose you tend to be great dogs. Back in '11 after I had to put my Black Lab down, I found a breeder of AKC Chocolate Labs, and I put a deposit sight unseen on the remaining girl. At about 7 weeks, I was welcome to visit the pups. Despite my damaged legs, I got on the floor to play with the pups. My new girl had some time for me, but wanted to be with her siblings. One of her brothers came over and crawled into my lap and napped for close to an hour. The breeder spoke with the family that was contemplating purchasing him and take him to Germany, and they decided to go with another boy. I was raised to let the pup choose you. I was torn. The breeder made an offer, and I ended up coming home with two Chocolate Labs (Hershey [girl] and her now BIG brother, Folly). Without formal training, Folly has become a fantastic emotional support dog. When ever anyone in my family is feeling down, he comes over and demands cuddles until he feels that his patient is better.

I am certain that you made the perfect selection. In my mind, dogs that pick you have been sent to you by a caring soul!

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Judge control not gun control!

Congratulations! All good things come to those who wait. I can't tell you how pleased and happy I am for you that you have found The Dog.

I wish you happiness and success with your new Best Friend, and a long life together.

Really, this just sounds great! Please keep us posted with updates and photos!

Especially photos!

You obviously made the right choice. And two Labs are better than one! I'm a firm believer that in addition to their humans, dogs need a Dog Best Friend. And for fun, it's hard to beat watching two dogs (especially Labs) romp and play together.

I'm curious. Which one is the Top Dog in your household? My money's on the female!

@Watchdog,

My fur kid family has grown to 4, my two Chocolates, a senior Beagle, and the young pup (Gretl, a Foxhound?). Folly (boy) is the dominant dog, but Hershey sometimes takes the lead. Hershey is the mouthier and more protective in the yard, but she will cower behind her brother.

Folly (120#) and Hershey (85#) are 6.5yo brother and sister.
Lexi is a 10+yo senior (deaf) Beagle that my daughter needed to rescue.
Gretl is a 10 month rescue that we think is a Foxhound, but has been identified by various pet professionals as 4 or 5 different breeds of Beagle mix.

Needless to say, when the choir sings, few people have the courage to venture near the house. On occasion, life does get interesting!

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Judge control not gun control!

Rustythread, you have my sympathy for your vision problem, and I pray for you to keep what you have remaining.
In any case, a service dog is no casual thing to approach doing.
I have a friend, WIA in Iraq, who is legally blind, has about 1 or 2 degrees of visual field left, and is now on his second service dog. His dogs, both labs, underwent months of pre-training with an experienced handler, just to evaluate the dogs for suitability to be service dogs while socializing them. Once they passed this hurdle, they went to school for their specialty training, which can take up to a year depending on how much they are expected to do. There is training for assisting a blind master around the house, as well as how to assist the master in public, a whole different set of circumstances.
My friend's dog obeys instantly, and absolutely; e.g. get in the car, get out of the car, he pauses at an up curb with two paws up on the higher level, he stops completely at a down curb, he can find the men's room or the exit in a brand new to him establishment, he knows not to lie down in an aisle if we're in a restaurant, he never begs, or startles at something new, in so many words, his harness handle is my blind friend's link to the world outside. My friend has PTSD and occasionally gets nightmares; the dog puts his paws on his chest and shakes him to wake him up, and so on. My friend had to go to school for two weeks or more, alone, just to acclimate dog and master, learn to manage and "operate" the new assistant, and socialize with him. His dogs were paid for by the VA.
After seeing this, I realized a service dog is something special, way beyond, much more, than a good, friendly, well behaved pet.
There are agencies that can help you find a trainer for a dog you provide, others pick the dogs and train them for you. There are hire for pay agencies and there are some non-profits that might be able to help with some of the costs involved. Try searching for "guide dog charities".
Then too, different breeds have different health issues and lifespans, and after investing thousands in a new friend, you want him around and healthy as long as possible.
There's potentially a bunch of money involved, tens of thousands of dollars, and I'd go slowly until you really understand your needs and what options are available to you.
I wish you all the best.