[nagdu] additional tasks

[Wayne Merritt]

I've been working with my gide, Gucci, on jumping over my legs. I have
to prompt her, but I will sit on my couch, put my legs up on the
coffee table, and bring her to my left leg. I will then say, "Over,"
and pull up on her collar. This kind of developed without me thinking
about it. I used to have to pull on her collar to get her to jump
over. Now, when I get her in position and give the word "Over," she
will often jump on her own initiative. Sometimes I have to pull on her
collar, but those are usually the times she jumps over only to please
me and not because she wants to. Though she always wags her tail after
the jump and often shakes her head, so I think she gets some enjoyment
out of it even if she didn't want to make the jump. Only in the last
few weeks have I added the verbal command. For a long time, I just put
her in position and pulled on her collar. As soon as I started using
the verbal command, the light went on and she was like, "Oh, that's
what you want, okay!" She can easily jump over one leg, but she
hesitates a little when I ask her to jump over both my legs. I will
have my legs close together to start, and then gradually spread them
apart. A few times, she hasn't made the complete jump and almost
stumbled over, but then I will move my legs closer together and have
her do it again to build her confidence back up. Both of us have
enjoyed this activity, and it is one of those things I can show off to
others.

Wayne

On 9/28/11, Sean Robertson <srobertson at roadrunner.com> wrote:
> Somehow, I tot Archie how to shake hands.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 1:52 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] additional tasks
>
>
>> Hello all!
>>
>> I've been thinking lately about additional things I could teach Monty.  He
>>
>> already knows a few tricks like give me five and roll over.  He also knows
>>
>> how to bring in the newspaper from the front porch.  I've been working on
>> brace, which has been a big help since I broke my foot.  I was wondering
>> what things have people taught their guide dogs for fun or to help out
>> around the house.
>>
>> I still can't walk, so guide work skills like find a chair or trash can
>> aren't going to be teachable right now.   I'm more looking for ideas that
>> might be useful or fun here at home.
>>
>> Thoughts? Ideas?      stories? Brags?  Let's hear them!
>> Julie
>>
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