[nagdu] Lines in the sand?

[Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS)]

Re barking and agression, Jeanine didn't you work a dog with some of
these issues? 
I ask because I'd be curious to know the thoughts of those of you who
have experienced this. At what point do you say "I can/want to keep
working with these dogs" or "I can't take it anymore". 
As for relieving, my second dog did this in harness and indoors. The
problem was twofoldd; the first part ws that her cues were completely
different from my first dog. My first dog would just stop or would take
met o grass and would really stand her ground. My second was different.
Her "I have to relieve" cues were very similar to her "I'm thirsty cues"
and it took me awhile to figure out which was which. She also really
wanted to please me, and when she got to the point where she'd take me
to grass or to an exit door, I had to really be on the ball because if I
said "We're not going outside now", she'd be like "Okay" guide a bit
more and then relieve. So it took us awhile to get ittogether and some
of it was her getting used to me, and some was me getting used to her. 
I think this may be one area where owner-trainers have an advantage
because they can teach the dog from the beginning how to convey that
it's potty time. 
Thoughts anybody?
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Julie J
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 2:43 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lines in the sand?

This is an excellent question!
Things I absolutely cannot tolerate are continuous barking, growling,
aggressively lunging, relieving inappropriately and total lack of
grooming.

I think dogs are dogs and they are going to have an off day.  I don't
have a 
problem with a dog who lets out a woof on the rare occasion.   It
happens 
and I don't see it as a huge deal if it is only one or two and the
handler is doing their best to manage the situation.

Aggression, I'm talking about outright readiness to hurt someone is not
acceptable in a service dog.  I can't think of a situation when it would
be 
okay.   I think any dog that exhibits aggression should be immediately 
removed from working as a guide dog.

Relieving inappropriately is another thing that absolutely drives me
insane. 
I understand that dogs get sick and that is not what I'm talking about.
I'm meaning dogs that consistently relieve indoors or worse males who
mark their territory while in harness.

Gross neglect of the dogs grooming is totally preventable and in
complete control of the handler.  There is no reason that a dog with
fleas or other creepy crawlies should be taken into public.

Oh and one more...I am not very impressed with handlers who let their
dogs 
run amuck.   When you're eating at a really nice formal dinner and find
an 
escaped  dog begging or helping themselves to food from tables, well,
it's 
just not cool.   I think the dog should always be on leash or otherwise 
confined when in a public place.

All JMHO of course
Julie




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