[nagdu] Wild GDB rumor?

[Debbie Cole]

Ummmm  If the blind walked in front of the guide dog can you imagine
the trouble we'd be in.  Me specifically.

On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 6:28 AM, Juanita Herrera
<juanitaherrera1991 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Tracy, that is totally a wild rumor. I just graduated from GDB six
> months ago, and not unless things have changed since then, we are not
> to walk ahead of our dogs at any time. The dog is called a guide dog
> for a reason, to guide. Also, we may give leash Q's, but only if we
> have an idea of where we are. Not if we are absolutely unsure of our
> surroundings. GDB is actually going to be having a presentation at my
> job on Friday. I can ask if things have changed if you'd like me to.
> Juanita and Anise
>
> On 7/25/12, Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net> wrote:
>> The other day, a friend shared with me the things she heard about at the
>> ACB convention.  One thing that shocked us both was that GDB is teaching
>> people, when there is a narrow path, to step *ahead* of the dog!  Say
>> what!!!  I've done that, and lived to tell the tale and learn from my
>> mistake, but it's a darned good way to get hurt or killed.  Is this just a
>> wild rumor, or is it an example of trainers being out of touch with
>> reality?  Or has GDB become Guide Dogs for the High Partials?  Well, high
>> partials who never go out at night, because it would be too dangerous and
>> scary.
>> Surely this isn't actually what GDB is teaching?
>> Another thing my friend heard is that, if the dog is unsure of how to go
>> around an obstacle, the person is supposed to direct the dog using the
>> leash--give a leash cue.  Great, if you can tell where to go.  Me, I
>> usually can't, being, you know, blind!
>>
>> Anyhow, any recent GDB graduate want to confirm or deny this rumor?
>>
>> I have been pondering a new theory:  guide dogs used to be trained as if
>> their partners would be totally blind, and now they're being trained as if
>> their partners will have some usable vision.  I've occasionally thought
>> that Ben might have done better sooner if he had a person who could tell
>> faster when he was getting ready to cop a sniff, for instance.  And our
>> trainer seemed to think I should know when bushes were coming up, though
>> just how I would know that beats me.  But then, how do these guide dogs
>> for the visually impaired pass the blindfold test?  So maybe my theory is
>> full of holes, but it doesn't seem like training is as rigorous as it used
>> to be, if one can believe books.
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
warmly,

Debbie Cole

debbieanne1124 at gmail.com