[nagdu] motivation update

[Nicole B. Torcolini at Home]

That's kind of funny. Lexia only refused to work on one occasion. As the 
rest of the GDB grads know, even if you do not need one, they have you use a 
gentle leader once during training. Lexia did fine that time. However, the 
next time that I put it on her because I thought that I might need a little 
more control for the current situation, she stopped dead in her tracks, as 
though to say, "I don't need this thing. Get it off of me. I'm not going 
anywhere until you do." Lexia usually does not need too much motivation. 
However, oddly enough, she picks up the pace if I hum or sing.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 7:18 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] motivation update


> Yep, giving a pat while walking does require a surprising amount of
> coordination.
> Jenine talking about Swap stopping and demanding a good petting reminded
> me of what Echo used to do.  We call it "getting sideways".  She would
> stop and turn sideways and pretty much say "I'm not moving until you give
> me a good rub and pat and tell me how great I am."  I would give her what
> she wanted, and she'd be good for the rest of the route.  Echo is a very
> sensitive girl, but, given some cheerleading, she could do anything.
> Tracy
>
>> I thought I'd update yawl on my efforts to motivate Monty on the trip to
>> work.
>>
>> I tried the dog and cat noises.  the first time he stopped at looked up 
>> at
>> me.  I imagine he thought I'd gone right round the bend.  Subsequent
>> animal noises got no acknowledgement what-so-ever.
>>
>> I tried varying the route as much as possible.  This helps a bit, until 
>> we
>> get close and he figures out what's up.
>>
>> I tried treats, just the ordinary ones though.  I need to get some
>> dehydrated meat or something that won't spoil for a higher value treat.
>> The treats seem to inspire him for about 6 feet.  I'm not giving up on
>> them altogether though.  I think if I had something extremely tasty that 
>> I
>> brought out only on rare occasions it might be more motivating.
>>
>> I tried petting him while walking, but I'm not very coordinated.  also he
>> was a bit unsure about what I was doing.  It felt clumsy and awkward.  I
>> don't think this will work for us.
>>
>> What I did find that works pretty well is something I used when I was
>> training him.  I stop and invite him to jump up.  I then rub his head and
>> neck vigorously.  Not a conventional reward/motivator for a guide dog, 
>> but
>> it works amazingly well.  I have no idea what I'll do if it rains again.
>> I can't show up to work with muddy footprints on the front of my shirt!
>> *smile*  For the moment it's working and I'm content.
>>
>> Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!  It helped me to really think
>> about what motivates him.
>>
>> Julie
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