[nagdu] Wild GDB rumor?

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Juanita.
I don't think you need to ask, unless you want to.

I have heard that GDB now gives individualized instruction (though it
seemed pretty personalized when I was there years ago.)  I wonder if they
are telling high partials one thing, and totally blind people another? 
Though, if they are, it's still a rotten idea to step in front of the dog,
even if you think you see well enough.  It would limit the person from
using the dog in situations where he or she wasn't seeing well.
The whole thing seems screwy.  Which is why I thought it might be a wild
rumor.
Tracy

> 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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>
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