[nagdu] How to encourage dog initiative

Wed Feb 17 16:00:57 UTC 2010

Well said.  /smile/  Separating one's emotions from the problem-solving side
of things, is easier said than done, whether you end up deciding it's a
quirk you can live, an issue you can fix, or a genuine deal breaker.  In the
end only you can make the best decision for yourself and your dog.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC Inc)
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 5:15 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] How to encourage dog initiative

It might be too that you need the skill of a dog being able to do what
Adrian could not. If you do, make that clear to the school. It's like
working in heavy crowds, if that's what you need a dog to do, you need
to specify it. There is a fine line between adjusting to a dog and a dog
that is not what you need. 
That being said, Joy did give you some excellent insights. Only you know
if Adrian's inability to do what you needed is a deal breaker. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Ioana Gandrabur
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:11 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] How to encourage dog initiative

HI there,

Thanks this is quite thoughtful. I'll apply this to the new dog. Adrian,
my
first guide, is now retired and I am waiting for the new one. I think I
was
pretty positive about the things he did great. I was just sometimes
frustrated because, when I thought I'd like him to show me anything of
interest to help me orient myself e.g. a door or even go back to the
curb he
would sniff around once we got off track. I'll be as patient and
positive as
I can with the new pup.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Ioana

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Joy Relton
Sent: February 16, 2010 2:11 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] How to encourage dog initiative

Iona,

It sounds like Adrian could be one of those dogs who does lots more than
you
realize because he's a more subtle worker. I have often found out things
later than my dogs have done which were good but, because their work was
so
smooth I didn't realize it. Then, if I wasn't paying attention they
might
get distracted. It was almost as if they were saying "fine, if she's not
going to appreciate what I'm trying to do, I guess it's not that
important."
I know that your tension will be picked up by your dog and that it will
have
an impact on his/her work just as it has an impact on how you receive
any
messages sent to you through that harness handle. On the other hand,
your
dog's skills might be heavier in another area. If your dog guides you
effectively, professionally and safely he's earned his pay. My third dog
had
an natural ability to retrace our steps after we had gone twisting and
turning down isles in a store on through the halls of a shopping mall.
It
was not something that he was taught to do. I really praised him for it
and
loved being able to get back out of an area with his skills, but my last
dog
had other skills and natural abilities which did not include this skill.
I
found myself getting frustrated a couple of times when I couldn't ask
her to
take me out and have her do it, but I learned to talk to myself and
remind
myself that it goes both ways. I'm probably not skilled in all of the
ways
that my dog's puppy raiser or trainer are skilled but we worked
successfully
nonetheless. I would recommend that you keep working as a time and keep
it
positive for both of you. It's easy to compare your dog with others, but
it's not fair. Just think what your dog might being saying about you.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf
Of Ioana Gandrabur
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 12:54 PM
To: NFBnet NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: [nagdu] How to encourage dog initiative

Hi all,

I find this topic fascinating. When reading about great initiative of
dogs I
think that Adrian was not really doing this too much and I wonder if I
somehow discouraged it.

He did great to guide around people and obstacles that people would tell
me
about and I had not even known were there. He was very safe and good
about
finding his way in crowds etc. However I found that when I was not sure
exactly where I was going he would not be too reliable especially when
we
were outside. I would ask him for example  to find a land mark that he
knew
from before but  we were not facing the right direction he would either
stop
or walk but just sniffing around often disorienting me further. I admit
I
was then a bit frustrated. It kind of felt like he thought "ok I'll mess
around until she figures out where she wants me to guide her" but this
might
be the projection of my frustration. then naturally I would tell him to
stop
that so he would then again just wait for instructions. I would always
make
a big party and give treats when we finally found it but I'm not sure
what
else I could have done. Any ideas how I can as you put it encourage
constructive initiative?

Ioana

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