[nagdu] Indoor Behavior - So Confused

[Cindy Ray]

Well, here's another thing. Remind them that Cocoa, while she is your guide, is also just a dog. If the poodle is going to bark, Cocoa is going to bark. Fisher does here, especially when Libby and Isabel are barking. They are dogs first. They have to be reminded of the behaviors. As you know, all a guide dog really is is a well trained animal whose skill set happens to be the guiding of a person who is blind. People get the idea that these dogs are something more, some mystical more, and some of us even get a little like that, too. They are well trained in their skill; we are their handlers. They aren't really our eyes, though they see things we cannot. They aren't smarter than we are; we call the shots except in situations where intelligent disobedience comes into play. I think you would be well advised to start looking into another possibility for living. It is a good arrangement if you have to do it, but not when you are being treated like that.

Julie made some good suggestions about food distractions. They are best achieved if you have someone sighted to help you with it; it seems if you get on better terms with your mom, since she doesn't think you are working on the dog's behavior, she would be a good person to help you with it. Do you know what to do in these? I think you said you trained your own dog. If I can help more, let me know, though I know you have heard from many others with good uggestions.

Cindy Lou

On Sep 9, 2012, at 5:54 PM, avapup.7 at gmail.com wrote:

> Thank you CL,
> 
> You made good points about just going ahead and doing these things without waiting for my family's approval or input. Truly, moving back with my family makes me feel like a teenager again, and not in any good ways!!
> 
> So far today, I've had Cocoa gated into my room with me or on leash. It's gone well so far, but I know the complaints about her barking will start up again. But all I can do is my best, and perhaps begin to look for a roommate or an apartment within my price range. 
> 
> It's also hard because I have a miniature Poodle who is absolutely spoiled by my dad, whereas I just treat him like any other dog. But my poodle is allowed to be hyper, run the house ( literally run ), jump on furniture, and in spite of all I do to stop it, my dad just won't listen. And he'd NEVER tolerate that behavior from Cocoa. Very frustrating, and not easy living at home as an adult. 
> 
> But I've got to set my mind to a place where -- yes, I am an adult. Yes, I am responsible for Cocoa's behavior -- as well as for her not getting yelled at ( or myself yelled at ) for her behavior.
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Ava and Cocoa
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Sep 9, 2012, at 7:06 AM, Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Ugh, Ava, sounds like a difficult situation, and it is one your family has contributed to. If dad has been throwing the dog food, then of course she will do things like that. A dog remains a dog. If a bag of chips are left opened on the floor, almost any dog, if it sees the opportunity, willgo into it. I know this has to be hard, but don't wait for them to tell you what they want you to do about the tie down or leash; put her on it yourself. You are in your early thirties and shouldn't need to be asking permission about that. I think you need to explain to the family that you are doing what you can and that you are seeing a double standard here. They say you are a bad handler, yet they do things to contribute to the dog's behavior. If the other dogs are barking, then she is going to bark, too. Mine does. I don't know what else to say, except take a stand, for real. If you know things that need doing, like leaving on a leash for a time, do them, and practice obedience. Make sure yyou are showing signs of working on the problem so that you know in your heart that you are, and I think in most ways you are. 
>> 
>> CL
>> 
>> 
> 
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