Despite Ben being my third guide dog, he is introducing me to new experiences before we have even become a partnership. He is the first guide dog that I have attended a class training with:
My first guide dog Vicky worked before coming to me; her previous partnership ended when the person she was guiding died. So, aged 4 she was matched with me. A match that meant we would train from home. Otherwise known as domiciliary. Which given that I discovered in the first week of training together that I was pregnant with my son and not just super nervous was perfect.
Then my second guide dog Fizz had also previously worked with another partnership, that saw her come back to Guide Dogs and be offered to me when she was 3 and a half years old. So again, we trained together from home. Which with two children to get to school and nursery again worked out perfectly for me.
Domiciliary training has its benefits, such as enabling the partnership to learn local straight off, enabling home life to be disrupted as little as possible as all training is done within ‘school hours’ as such.
Yet, it also has its downfalls. It doesn’t give the new guide dog owner the opportunity to completely close off to home life, meet other guide dog owners or undertake group training sessions.
Although, having never known any differently I am not sure how I am feeling about finally getting my class experience.
On paper it sounds amazing! Monday to Friday for two weeks at a hotel, all meals catered for, two weeks of not having to cope with ‘home life as well as training.
But … There is a little part of me that is nervous. I am going on to a training class in a small village that I have never been to before! Unlike my ‘home neighbourhood’ which I know very well. I am going to be like a fish out of water, surely if I don’t know where a I am going, I am not going to be able to direct Ben correctly?
My kids are older now, they live between me and their dads’ so are fully able to understand where I am going and why I am doing it; so thankfully that’s something I don’t need to worry about. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss them.
Maybe it’s also that it’s been nineteen months since Fizz retired?
Maybe it’s also that guide dogs now use a different training method, with different concerns that I’m feeling anxious?
I have been advised that a Ben is a very smart dog; but what if I’m not good enough for him?
Anyway, it’s a bit late for that now … Our bags are packed, although u feel I am forgetting something. Ben’s food is all measured out and the volunteer driver will be here in the morning to pick us up.
I’m sure it will be okay; won’t it?
