pilot dogs wants her training to begin right away. they dont use treats or rewards because it would be hard for a blind person to reward all the time. I did use treats when I trained the 2 other puppies I raised. 1 passed the other did'nt.
as for being around other dogs. yes since birth she has been around other dogs the first raiser had 2 dogs and I have 3 shelties.
the first class is really not going to be too much I told the trainer about her fear problem so its just going to be us for a while, and in april they are going to have a puppy socialization class, and they are going to allow her to attend even though she'll be 9 months old.
but yes we are definitly not bonded yet. she will sit and down when I tell her to, but she realy doesnt want to be petted by me

Jessica,

Not sure if this will help or not. My GSD is not motivated too much by food. She responds extremely well to praise though. I've had her from a pup and she is my shadow and both of us have bonded, so my perspective is a little different.

What has worked recently with me in helping her overcome her aggression similar to what you described is walking with her and working with a focus on walking on a loose leash. It seems like it built her confidence and was a relatively easy thing to do for both me and her. This is stopping until the leash is loose and starting back up again when she settles. Red light / green light. This seemed to be the most effective way to introduce her to new situations and socialize her more.

Firm corrections have worked, but not as effectively of having her focus on this activity. I think it is also helping to establish me as the pack leader since she really loves to go for walks.

When on walks, she would normally go into the aggressive behavior when she saw something new or if someone got too close. Recently, we were able to walk by a couple of people with no issue and even someone on a bike only a couple of feet away. Just kept giving the no-pull command. No treats were used since she really doesn't seem like she responds to them too much. We have other dogs that there is no aggression issues with who are extremely food motivated, but she isn't. Just her personality I guess.

Hope this helps. By no means am I an expert compared to others here. Just what seemed to work for me.

Dave

Jessica, I can understand with service dogs that a dog who only worked for food or toy reward might be a problem but just because you train WITH food/toys does not mean you use them for the exact same commands all the time throughout the dogs life. That theory is flawed. Without proper motivation the dogs will not learn as well, or as fast, or be as motivated to work, period. My dogs are all weaned off treats after the first week of a specific comman and I only reinforce with treats or toys occassionally.

I've never trained a guide dog for the blind but I have trained dogs for a lot of tasks regarding service dog work such as turning lights on an off, opening/closing doors, cabinets, etc, carrying things, bringing things, huge crowds, buildings, restaurants/stores etc. etc. And I always use motivational training with food and toys and praise/affection. It does not make a dog less capable nor does it make them food focused.

Her behavior as it is would have gotten her released from every guide/service dog program I know of. Not that she is a bad dog, but generally only dogs that pass a battery of tests at a very young age pass to even be fostered and then are retested prior to training. She might be better off in a regular home where the stress of the work won't be an issue.

Not that I think she is incapable of being around people or having her fear reduced, I am currently working with a young dog that was extremely fearful of strangers as a pup and he is in training as a service dog (not guide dog) but no matter how much training an rehab work is done with him he would never be suitable as a guide dog. For this pups well being she should be found a regular home. Just MHO

trust me I dont think she has the temperment either to be a guide dog. but pilot dogs doesn't do any early evaluations. they place every pup in the litter in a foster home until they are 12 months then they evaluate them. also she is my sons 4-h project so I think they are just letting him finish his project out. so more than likley she will be petted out after that.