[nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program

[Sarah Clark]

    GDB teaches follow, at least when I was there in 2002.  But they did 
tell us to be careful not to use it too much, because following is a natural 
tendency for most of the dogs, so it'd be pretty  easy to get them doing it 
to the point that they do it when you don't want them to.  Though now that 
I'm thinking about it, it also shouldn't be too hard to teach them to do it 
*only* when you tell them.  Maybe by one time telling them to follow 
someone, and then later, maybe the next day have that same person walking in 
front of you while you're just telling the dog forward, and have the person 
turn off to the left or right and correct the dog if it tries to follow them 
(and of course praise if it does not).  I'd think a few times of doing this 
would teach them pretty solidly.

Sarah & Miguel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lisa Irving" <lirving1234 at cox.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program


> The follow command sounds beneficial. Guiding Eyes discourages the dogs 
> from following some one in a store.If I've got it right, the person 
> guiding us through the restaurant or store is supposed to walk be hind us 
> and tell us which way to go. Personally, I find this confusing and 
> frustrating.
>
> Bernie and  I went to the very crowded and noisy winter pops. I tried the 
> walk behind me and let me know which way we're going. Bernie was ready to 
> blow through the masses. I opted instead to heal Bernie. Even in the 
> grocery store, it's almost easier to heal my dog and place my hand on the 
> shopping cart instead of trying to do it the other way.  The school's 
> rational makes sense to me. They contend telling your dog to follow and 
> then reprimanding him for following another person at another time is 
> confusing to the dog. What do you guys think?
>
> Lisa and Bernie
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 2:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program
>
>
>> Carin,
>> I've known several people who got dogs at Pilot.  They went during the 
>> 80s and 90s and they had traffic training and their dogs worked fine as 
>> far as I could see.  What I did hear is that they don't teach the 
>> "Follow" command. I have since heard that other schools aren't teaching 
>> the "Follow" command either.
>>
>> To me, the "Follow" command is a very good one that I use all the time 
>> when I'm in a store or just out and about with other guide dog users and 
>> I don't know the route - usually inside a mall or store.  Out on the 
>> street, I use the regular guide commands.
>>
>> Lyn and Landon
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Karen Alexander" <kalex710 at gmail.com>
>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 4:42 PM
>> Subject: [nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program
>>
>>
>>>I spoke with Alec a member of Nagdu and a guide dog handler. I found out
>>> that Pilot Dogs train their dogs for only three months. It seems that 
>>> they
>>> are not thoroughly trained with traffic, etc. I am just in the beginning
>>> state of choosing an organization.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I could used input from anyone on this list regarding Pilot Dogs both
>>> positive and negative.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It is a grave concern to me to be given a dog who could put both of us 
>>> in
>>> harms way. How can a service dog organization not be called out for 
>>> unsafe
>>> dogs?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The newbie,
>>>
>>> Carin
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Karen Alexander
>>>
>>> home:    330 864 8351
>>>
>>> mobile:  330 715 4690
>>>
>>> 710 White Pond Dr #705
>>>
>>> Akron, Ohio 44320
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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