[nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program

[Sheila Leigland]

When I taught my dog to follow, it was for very specific people or situations. It was up to me to decide if following was necessary or advisable.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa Irving <lirving1234 at cox.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 8:30 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,	the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
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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