[nagdu] walking in to objects

Sun Apr 15 18:19:59 UTC 2012

Tracy,

I do find that most of the time if I brush or trip, it is because I am 
spacing off and not following properly in a spot where Mitzi can't give 
me enough clearance to allow for my bad habits.

As Julie described with Monty, I brush more limbs in the spring, but 
then Mitzi remembers by now to make adjustments and it's all good.  /smile/

She can still make mistakes now and then, but i rarely end up getting a 
real whang on the shoulder these days. Fine with me! /lol/ A good brush 
is enough for me to start paying attention when I realize it is because 
I am not moving with my guide the way I should. When it's her, we will 
rework it, of course, and usually once is enough. she really hates 
having to rework things, so that's all it takes. /grin/

Tami

On 04/14/2012 07:14 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> 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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