[nagdu] walking in to objects

Hannah Chadwick sparklylicious at gmail.com
Sat Apr 14 14:51:08 UTC 2012


Tracy,
I am not trying to blame everything on my dog because that is not the case
but I've been taught to follow her as if she's my "lifeline" and that is
what I've been doing. Also, I've noticed that there is a lot of room on
either side of whatever she walks me in to.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2012 7:15 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] walking in to objects

Julie J, you covered all the possibilities well, but you missed human error.
Sometimes Ben is trying to lead me around something, but I am distracted, or
don't believe him, and brush into something.  And sometimes he is doing his
best, but there just isn't room.  If it's a stationary obstacle and there
isn't room, he should stop, but it usually happens when we're working in a
crowded situation, and a hole closes up faster than he anticipated.
Often it is a canine error if I bump something, but I try to keep in mind
that it might also be that I am not following properly.
Tracy


> Hannah,
>
> Is she running you into the same things every couple of weeks?  If 
> she's making the same mistake over and over, I'd be more concerned 
> than if it is a new mistake.  Is the error a brush into something or a 
> complete full on contact with the object?  If she's brushing you into 
> things she's probably trying to get it right and just needs more 
> practice.  If it's the major full body contact, then there is a very 
> serious issue going on.  Perhaps she's distracted, didn't get enough 
> training, is experiencing visual problems or doesn't have the 
> cognitive skills to be able to judge clearance. It could also be that 
> she is nervous or simply isn't cut out to be a guide dog.  If a 
> clearance issue every couple of weeks is her sole issue then I'd also 
> agree with your O&M person that it will take time.  To me a mistake 
> every couple of weeks in the beginning wouldn't be concerning.
>
> I've been working with Monty for over two years and he will still 
> brush me into things occasionally.  This time of year it is usually 
> bushes or tree branches that are growing or putting out leaves or 
> whatever.  They get bigger than they were through the winter.  I'm 
> sure he's giving me the same space that he has all winter instead of 
> accounting for the new growth.
>
> I'm not big into collar corrections.  I will usually make a big deal 
> out of making contact with whatever it was.  If it's a tree branch I will
> grab it and give it a good shake while telling Monty no.   If he's
> having a particularly difficult day I will have him sit while I show 
> him the problem.  Then I rework the situation, giving loads of praise 
> as we go.
>
> HTH
> Julie
>
>
> On 4/14/2012 12:48 AM, Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>> I highly doubt it. I have a mobility instructor here who used to be a 
>> guide dog trainer for over 10 years. He's suggested a few things and 
>> told me, "it'll take time". I feel like running in to things should 
>> not be occurring every couple of weeks...
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of Larry D. Keeler
>> Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 7:19 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] walking in to objects
>>
>> Can Pilot send a trainer out there?
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Hannah Chadwick"<sparklylicious at gmail.com>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 8:59 PM
>> Subject: [nagdu] walking in to objects
>>
>>
>>> Hey all,
>>> I know that bonding can take up to a year, but I also know that 
>>> Princess shouldn't be walking me in to things. I honestly don't know 
>>> what to do any more because I don't feel like correcting her is 
>>> enough and that after a while she forgets about it altogether.
>>> Today I went to visit the University of Santa Cruz and we went on a 
>>> tour.
>>> Princess for some reason walked me in to a pole and as usually I 
>>> corrected her. This has occurred a few times since I last posted 
>>> about it, and it's getting more difficult for me to trust her. I 
>>> don't feel safe walking at night or in the dark now, and it's a 
>>> horrible feeling.
>>> Any thoughts, suggestions, advice?
>>> Best, Hannah
>>>
>>>
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