[nagdu] Preventing escapes

[Allison Nastoff]

Usually, I do not take off Gilbert's leash or harness until we 
are safely inside my house, and the door is closed securely.  If 
I do decide to unleash him before getting into the house, I 
always stick a finger through the ring of his collar until we are 
in the house just in case he decided to run.  I agree that what 
happened in Indianapolis was unfortunate and tragic, but it can 
also serve as a lesson that even a highly trained guide dog is 
still a dog, and we should never take a chance and let them off 
leash when it isn't safe.
Allison and Gilbert

> ----- Original Message -----
>From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com
>To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>Date sent: Sat, 23 May 2009 20:21:47 -0400
>Subject: [nagdu] Preventing escapes

>The unfortunate situation in Indianapolis got me thinking and so 
I'll ask
>folks here this question.

>What steps do you take to prevent your dog from escaping out an 
open door?

>If the dog has gotten out, what did you do to get him/her back?

>I really do try to enforce the policy that the dog only goes 
through a door
>outside when I give it the command to do so, in or out of 
harness.  If a dog
>starts barging through doorways, even ones inside buildings, I'll 
go back to
>the class method and have the dog sit once it's stopped for the 
doorway, or
>bring it back to heel and then sit.

>This doesn't always make the dog door-proof, but it does help.

>After shutting one of my dogs outside because I'd removed his 
leash and
>harness on the porch while I opened the door, and obviously 
didn't give him
>enough time to get in, I keep them leashed until they get inside.

>Of course, most instructors will tell you that daily obedience is 
critical
>for just these situations.  Do we do it though? No comment.  
<grin

> Jenine Stanley
>jeninems at wowway.com


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