Welcome to DV, that's a good way to get started. It looks like you're on the right track. Stay persistent, confident and patient.
A dream guide is sort of a manifestation of your subconsciousness. Of course, dreams are subconscious, so a DG is just a special dream character that is the "key" to your subconscious. You can find them in dreams if you want.
And for increasing recall, just keep using a dream journal. Maybe use mantras before you go to sleep. One of the best ways to remember dreams, is to lay still right whenever you wake up, focus on dreams and be calm. Usually you will remember more during this time.