[nagdu] guide dog question

Larry D. Keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Tue Dec 11 05:12:25 UTC 2012


That's fine Jessica!  But, I would still look for the Softlines collar. 
Holly's is lavender with hearts on it.  That way, if correction is needed 
then you can still use it.  I find that I don't have to give Holly nearly as 
many harsh corrections anymore.  Hand signals, gentle knee taps, tones of 
voice and even light twists of her harness usually are plenty enough.  And, 
if anyone wonders, I really do mean taps with the knee, not dog buttds or 
anything hard like that!  I'll just divert her attention by pressing my knee 
lightly against her or gently twisting the harness away from the current 
distraction.  Mostly, most folks don't even realize I've done anything! 
But, Holly knows!  They taught us that the harness isn't a control device 
and for the most part, I aggree.  However when Holly wants to launch of like 
a rocket and greet another dog or play with a squirrel!  Holding that 
harness tight or gently twisting it the opposite direction gets the message 
accross as well.  And, you don't have to be even a bit harsh!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jessica Pitzer" <rolosgirl at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 8:08 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dog question


>I actually didn't mean for this to go to the whole list, but nwo that
> it did, i'm glad, anyway i went out today with just the flat collar
> and she did really well, we even encountered a dog distraction and I
> jsut talked her through it and said no forward, and just kept moving
> and it actually worked much better than the harsh chain corrections
> which blew me away, go figure, right, ah well. thanks guys and sorry
> for the funkified message and i'll try to do better.
> Jessica
>
> On 12/10/12, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>> Dar,
>>
>> The short answer is that you don't correct with a flat collar.  You deal
>> with unwanted behavior in a different way.  Commonly an incompatible
>> behavior is used.  So say dog is sniffing, instead of correcting, the
>> handler might ask the dog to sit or touch his nose to the handlers
>> hand.  The idea is to get the dog to do something you ask that it can't
>> do while sniffing.
>>
>> The other day I was at the Health Department for a meeting.  Monty was
>> being a scatterbrained dufus, not really bad, just letting his attention
>> wander.  Instead of correcting I just leaned over and tapped him on the
>> shoulder to get his attention.  It worked extremely well in that
>> situation.   Now if there was a hamburger on the ground that he was
>> intent on eating I don't think the gentle tap would work.  Probably in a
>> case like that I would try quickly dropping the harness handle and
>> pivoting so that I was facing the way I had just come from.  this will
>> remove the hamburger from his line of sight, get his attention back on
>> me and let him know that pulling will not get him what he wants.
>>
>> I think it's mostly a mindset.  You gravitate toward the methods you
>> know and are most comfortable with.  If you don't use corrections, it
>> simply doesn't enter your mind to correct.  You use other techniques
>> that fit your knowledge, beliefs and personal style.
>>
>> Julie
>>
>>
>> Hi there,
>>> I also agree with you.
>>> My dog is a diver, and I am having him wear the canny collar.
>>> When I correct him I give a gentle correction which calms him down
>>> rite away.
>>> This morning we went to a funeral, where there was another guide dog
>>> he had not seen before.
>>> he took a step and I gently pulled back wich calmed him down rite away.
>>> I would be interested in knowing if a flat collar is used, how do you
>>> correct the dog.
>>> You wouldn't get the chance to do the same way as the choke collar or
>>> what we use.
>>> I still have the collar on my dog with all of his tags, that won't
>>> come off.
>>> Interesting topic.
>>> Jessica was busy at the time I called.
>>> So if I don't hear from her, I understand this busy time of month with
>>> all of the activities we get involved in.
>>> With the dogs going to many Christmas parties and all of the food, I
>>> can see why it would be ever tempting for them.
>>> I hope others come back and share how they correct with a flat collar.
>>> Original message:
>>>> Jessica,
>>>
>>>> I have the book on T-Touch and have used the technique with my current
>>>> two dogs.  They really enjoy it.  I can't think of any possible reason
>>>> why a person would object to T-Touch.  It's just a distinct way of
>>>> touching or massaging the dog.   There aren't any side effects, other
>>>> than being relaxed.  Some of the schools teach some of the T-Touch
>>>> techniques.  Attending a T-Touch workshop is on my things to do someday
>>>> list.  You are so lucky to have had a private session!
>>>
>>>> As far as your collar question...that is a very personal choice.  It is
>>>> possible to work a guide in a flat collar.  I know of several people 
>>>> who
>>>> do.  However if you should is an entirely different issue.  I think you
>>>> have to figure out what your personal philosophy of dog handling is.
>>>> Then figure out if you have the skills and ability to work your dog
>>>> within that belief system.   I believe that each dog and each handler
>>>> have a unique way of interacting that is best for that particular team.
>>>> The same dog with a different handler and a different set of techniques
>>>> might work better.  Same thing with a different dog and the same 
>>>> handler
>>>> needing to figure out what works best.
>>>
>>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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>
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