[nagdu] GDF Questions

[Joy Relton]

Hey guys, not only does the pull of the instructor make a difference, but,
don't forget that there are different lengths of harness handles. I have
used different lengths depending on my comfort with the pull of the dog,
his/her stops and the lightness on my feet. I keep a couple of different
harness handles and switch them out when I'm not feeling what I want to feel
at a curb etc. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Wayne Merritt
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 10:20 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDF Questions


I remember being at The Seeign Eye and my instructor purposely pulled harder
or very little in order to get a "feel": for how much of a pull I wanted and
how fast I was able/willing to walk. I would rather have the dog pulling
slightly in front of me, so that if the dog ever suddenly dstopped, I would
have some warning that something was up.

Wayne

On 10/30/09, Angie Matney <angie.matney at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Gary,
>
> One thing to keep in mind is that most schools will consider the 
> amount of pull you want when they match you with a dog. Also, when I 
> was at GDB getting my first dog, I had Juno walks from two different 
> instructors on campus before I got my dog. These walks felt very 
> different. This is not to say that the school's philosophy of using 
> the harness shouldn't be a consideration; I just mean that part of the 
> differences in Juno walks can sometimes be attributed to the 
> individual instructors.
>
> Best,
>
> Angie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gary" <rainshadowmusic at shaw.ca>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:32 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] GDF Questions
>
>
>> Hello Albert:
>>
>> How are you. I am on the guide dog list as well and have applied at 
>> gdf. I am curious what you thought of the schools programs? This is 
>> your first dog? It will be mine as well. Taking that in mind, how did 
>> you find the training program? Was it reasonably easy to learn what 
>> you needed to learn to work with your new dog? Did the bonding 
>> process go smoothly for you?
>>
>> With regard to the schools guiding philosophy, how do they teach you 
>> to use the harness? I have done two Juno walks (using a harness 
>> without the
>>>dog) with two different schools and they had very different styles. 
>>>One
>> had the dog slightly ahead of me so that my arm was forward at about 
>> a 45 degree angle (or maybe slightly less). They also had quite a bit 
>> of pull/tension  on the harness by the dog. The other school I have 
>> done this walk with had my arm down more by my side, say around the 
>> place where the seem of your pants would be with very little tension 
>> on the harness.
>>
>> I have decided I like the second way much better so want to be sure 
>> that the school I go to does not do it the way my first walker did.
>>
>> What does gdf do?
>>
>> Thanks very much for anything you are willing to share with me. I am 
>> waiting for a poodle so I have applied at three schools.
>>
>> Feel free to apply off line at g.steeves at shaw.ca if you would prefer.
>>
>>
>> have a great day.
>> Gary
>>
>>
>>
>> Gary Steeves, BSW, RSW
>> 204 - 1110 West 10th Ave
>> Vancouver, BC  V6H 1J1
>> Work: 778-452-6504
>> Cell: 604-764-0777
>> Email: g.steeves at shaw.ca
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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http://wayneism.blogspot.com
My websites:
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www.whitecaneday.org

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