[nagdu] Tailing Thumping was RE: dog problems

Sun Dec 8 20:43:06 UTC 2013

I think that they do know that it gives them away, and it is all part of the
game for them. Do you pretend to not notice all the time, or only when you
are playing?
Also, as a slightly different solution, if you have trouble with the dogs
hiding from you, you might consider training them to stay on a towel or
blanket.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Littlefield,
Tyler
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2013 11:42 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Tailing Thumping was RE: dog problems

Awesome, I will certainly try that. No, I don't have to look to hard,
usually he's in a corner. when I look for him I usually talk to him. "Is
O'Mally in this corner?" when he's not I'll go look somewhere else. 
Sometimes he's good and will stay quiet, others he gets excited and thumps
his tail. It gets louder the closer I get, but I pretend not to notice. I'm
not sure he realizes that gives him away!
On 12/8/2013 2:32 PM, Nicole Torcolini wrote:
> Yes, I know what you mean. Maybe you could try somehow conveying when 
> you are playing versus  when you actually mean it. For example, only 
> use the word come when you mean it for real or add another word to it, 
> like come now. I also have nicknames for Lexia, and she usually tail 
> thumps for those rather than coming. Does OMally usually hide in the 
> same places so he is easy to find, or do you really have to look hard to
find him?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Littlefield, Tyler
> Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2013 11:25 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Tailing Thumping was RE: dog problems
>
> Hello:
> I think it's actualy something of a game. Sometimes when I call him 
> he'll hide somewhere and I have to go look for him. It's funny because 
> he usually gives it away with his tail thumps sometimes, or he'll just 
> stay quiet, then explode when I get close to him. I'm going to start 
> watching his pattern. I don't want to ruin his game because it's 
> actually funny sometimes, so whatever I do I don't want to disrupt that.
> On 12/8/2013 2:07 PM, Nicole Torcolini wrote:
>> Lexia does the tail thump thing, too. However, it is a game rather 
>> than her disobeying, and she comes if I call her in a firmer voice.
>> When OMally thumps his tail, is it in response to a certain thing?
>> Have you called him by name and/or used the word come? Maybe you 
>> could try something like, if he thumps his tail, go over to him and 
>> lead him to the place from which you were trying to call him. Then 
>> send him back to his blanket or bed and call him again, and, if he 
>> comes, praise and reward him. Eventually, he will realize that he 
>> will have to go through this exercise every time if he continues to
disobey.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Littlefield, Tyler
>> Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2013 10:46 AM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dog problems
>>
>> Hello all:
>> First, for the one-liner "leave the dog alone," thanks but no thanks 
>> for the advice. Minh was looking for some thought and feedback. For 
>> those of you who responded (raven, nicole et al), thanks also for 
>> your
> responses.
>> I have a few comments I want to add because I'm interested in 
>> people's actual feedback regarding them.
>>
>> first, O'Mally and Minh got to know each other when Viva was not 
>> around--I had O'Mally before Minh got Viva. It seems that his 
>> behavior has changed a bit after Viva came around and she started 
>> getting attention from both of us. We do pretty much give them equal 
>> attention--sometimes O'Mally more than Viva or Viva more than 
>> O'Mally, but it sort of all equals out. I have no problem 
>> what-so-ever with Minh calling O'Mally or me calling Viva. I think 
>> they are both comfortable enough with us to trust us. I guess others 
>> prefer to keep
> their dogs separate, but this seems like mostly personal preference.
>> Regardless, here's what I'm thinking with O'Mally.
>>
>> First, I understand yelling is a bit of an issue. Neither of us 
>> scream at either of our guides, but a raised voice sometimes seems 
>> like it's useful for getting attention. It's much preferable to 
>> grabbing their collar or something, so I'd like to use that if it 
>> works. It doesn't seem to scare them, it's just like a way to get 
>> them to actually focus or
> pay attention.
>> Second, I think part of this is stemming from a bit of jealousy on 
>> both viva and O'mally's parts. I've noticed they tend to get 
>> irritated at each other sometimes, which I generally try to take care 
>> of, but I'm not really sure how to do much with that. I assume it'll 
>> happen regardless, but it seems to be a contributing factor.
>>
>> Finally, I appreciate all the advice given thus far on alternative 
>> ways for us to get O'mally to come when she calls. There have been 
>> times when I have to leave O'Mally with Minh or Viva has stayed with 
>> me. I believe if I am going to do that, O'mally needs to be 
>> comfortable with her and she needs to be able to call him, knowing 
>> 100% sure or at least as close to 100% as you can get with a dog that 
>> he will come. It may be that she actually really needs O'Mally to 
>> come to her, which leads me into another point. I have also noticed 
>> that sometimes when I call O'mally he thumps his tail at me rather 
>> than coming. I don't know if it is his way of saying "I'm right 
>> here," but I'd much prefer he just came. It's not all that often, but 
>> it happens
> sometimes. Any advice on how to work that out would be awesome.
>> Thanks,
>>
>> --
>> Take care,
>> Ty
>> http://tds-solutions.net
>> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; 
>> he that dares not reason is a slave.
>>
>>
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>
> --
> Take care,
> Ty
> http://tds-solutions.net
> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; 
> he that dares not reason is a slave.
>
>
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--
Take care,
Ty
http://tds-solutions.net
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that
dares not reason is a slave.

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