[nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program

[GARY STEEVES]

Hello:

I have been enjoying this conversation on follow. Bogart will follow quite well. I assume they taught this at his school since he seemed to pick it up naturally. I wanted him to accept following my girlfriend since that would greatly simplify certain situations we find ourselves in like grocery shopping or travelling through airports together. I now use this command, mostly in stores, when I'm shopping and getting assistance. It sort of depends on the situation. Sometimes I will just use sighted guide with bogart heeling or other times I will have him follow. As long as the people indicate when they turn it usually goes pretty good. Have lost my helpers from time to time which is sort of humourous.

I agree with others comments that as long as you, the handler, are in control of the command and actions then it can be a very good tool.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Lyn Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
Date: Monday, April 18, 2011 2:23 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Grave problems with Pilot Dogs program
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> To avoid confusion, the dog needs to learn that when you tell it 
> to follow someone, you want him to follow that person.  He 
> should learn that he isn't to randomly follow people if there is 
> no command from you.
> 
> Seeing Eye still teaches "Follow" and the dogs have no confusion.
> 
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- 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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> >>>nagdu at nfbnet.org
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> >>
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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