[nagdu] calling the program was researching programs

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Ann,

I think my use of positive training methods has a great deal to do with the
positive response I get from innocent bystanders even when it seems to me
that my dog and are having a big hairy fight because she's such a rotten
little beast.  /smile/  Apparently, everybody else sees our little frew fraw
as high entertainment.  /lol/

Thank goodness the little monster finally grew up.  She still has her
moments and moments, but we can just sort it all out without fuss.  /smile/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Ann Edie
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 11:00 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] calling the program was researching programs

Hi, Julie and All,

Yes, I have heard of other situations where non-blind people are reported to

authorities without being directly confronted with the concerns 
first--specifically, I have heard of situations where babysitters and 
daycare workers have called child protective services to report suspected 
child abuse when they notice "black and blue" marks on the bodies of adopted

Asian children.  These people don't understand that the coloration is 
natural and not caused by beatings or other abuse.  And they don't ask the 
parents about it; they just assume the worst.  I think the situation is 
similar to the one of a blind person and guide dog--well-meaning people with

little knowledge and a lot of ignorance.

My personal belief is that if blind handlers were instructed in positive 
training and handling methods, and if guide dogs were routinely trained 
using positive reinforcement and a marker signal instead of through 
correction, that handlers would present a more favorable image to the 
general public of their relationship with their guide dogs.  The handlers 
would have a better understanding of animal behavior and learning and of why

their dogs sometimes do not perform as they "are supposed to."  The handlers

would be much less likely to get into those situations of frustration where 
correction has a tendency to escalate.  The dogs would work better and look 
happier.  This might reduce the negative impression that some members of the

public experience when observing working teams, and might cut down on some 
of the "abuse" calls to schools.  This would not eliminate those situations 
where the blind person is accused of abuse for not allowing the guide dog to

be petted or interfered with by ignorant members of the public.  But it 
might cut down on some of the more common excuses for abuse reports.

Best,
Ann

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] calling the program was researching programs


> Jeanine,
>
> It's very good to hear that you don't accept anonymous complaints at GDF. 
> If someone can't give their name it would make me wonder about the 
> validity of their statement.  It's too easy to make up stories if you can 
> hide behind anonymity.
>
> Got any ideas why the public doesn't address the blind person directly 
> about the issue?  Or at least why they don't try that approach first?
>
> Is tattling a societal thing or just a blind people thing?  When I used to

> work in rehab the O&M instructor would occasionally get phone calls about 
> some blind person or another who was out alone and crossing dangerous 
> intersections or something similarly inappropriate for a blind person to 
> do. *smile*
>
> I'm trying to think of a parallel situation that doesn't involve blind 
> people where sighted people turn each other in for perceived 
> indescressions. I can't think of any sort of situation.   of a noncriminal

> nature.  Perhaps it is a blindness/disability thing exclusively.
>
> Sometimes I think too much! LOL
> Julie
>
>
>
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