[nagdu] Dogs listening

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Yeah, and his ongoing health problems add to the stress he feels for sure.
I don't understand a school's sending out a dog that was sick when he was
there and expecting you to take on the expense of resolving those health
issues when they retain ownership of the dog.

And, Lora, didn't you discuss his behavioral issues with them during
training, as well?

This is not the only case I've heard of over the past year or so of schools
sending home dogs with unresolved behavioral issues and even health
problems, then inisiting it's the new handler's fault for not correcting a
problem that existed when they were first introduced to the dog...  I think
that attitude is what makes my hair stand on end.  When the first response
is to avoid taking responsibility by placing it on the person who is dealing
with the problem, I can't see how this is helpful to anyone even short-term.
Long term, that automatic assumption that it's the other person's fault
means that any potential gap in the training or health management of the
dogs will not be dealt with so that it doesn't continue to happen to others.

I'm not saying this to dis the schools, or to minimize their contribution in
turning out great guides and making good matches  as they do.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Cindy Ray
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 5:00 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dogs listening

Laura,  you have had problems health wise with that dog since you got him. 
Tell Leader you simply cannot afford this vet thing; you may have to replace

him. He's stressed for sure; maybe he's too stressed to do the work. I just 
don't know,but that's just a thought.

Cindy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lora" <blindhistory at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 6:17 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dogs listening


That makes sense. I just don't know about this dog. He seems really stressed
out with my lifestyle. I gave him almost two days of letting him play with
very little work and he still seems stressed. Actually he threw up this
morning and has been throwing up almost every morning this week. I'm running
out of money to keep taking him to the vet.

On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 4:38 AM, Cindy Ray <cindyray at qwest.net> wrote:

> Actually I was thinking about this issue yesterday. I don't think I need 
> to
> do too much different on my handling,but I came to the conclusion recently
> that I need to relax as I use the dog. I talked to him too much and he
> didn't want to hear it. I found he worked better when I did that. 
> Yesterday
> while walking, I tried to relax my corrections and make sure the verbal
> ones
> were less manic! I think sometimes that happens though I don't realize it,
> specially since my dog has been known to bolt. I corrected and I was firm,
> but it was easier on me, and maybe easier on my dog. We sometimes appear
> more harsh than we are, and some folks think using the dogs at all is a
> cruel way to use the animals, so sometimes, often, I think we have to be
> appearing more relaxed. Appearing more relaxed also appears less harsh.
>
> Cindy
>
>
>
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-- 
Lora and Trice
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