[nagdu] dog problems

[Stephanie]

You could be right there. Gypsy is my first dog, but she is very very senitive. If I have to correct her for any reason, with the leash or my voice, she gets upset and her confidence just goes. 


----- Original Message -----
From: Julie J <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Date: Monday, December 9, 2013 11:45 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] dog problems

>
>
> Some random thoughts in no particular order...
> 
> I have noticed with Monty if I raise my voice, even if it's not directed toward him, he does get upset and will go into his kennel.  However if people are just being loud in the house, like over a football game or singing to the radio, it doesn't bother him.  So I think it's tone of voice more than volume.
> 
> I wonder if it might be that the two dogs have fairly different personalities.  If that is the case, they may need very different handling approaches.   When you work primarily with one dog you get into the habit of interacting a particular way.  then when you are interacting with the other dog, who neeeds a different approach, it may be that your still acting the way the first dog needed.  I have two dogs here at home and it is a challenge to remain patient with my older dog when she doesn't get what I want the first three times.  Thats just an example from my own situation and doesn't apply to you, except to say that dogs are different.
> 
> I think I might try crating one of the dogs and spending 1 on 1 time with the other doing things that particular dog likes.  I also think a gentler, quieter approach might be what is needed.  It sounds like the dog is nervous and a little scared.  Confidence building exercises could be helpful.  I use clicker training and I like 101 things to do with a box for confidence building.
> 
> 
> I don't think being firmer and corrections are the way to go, but I'm not there and I don't know your dogs like you do.  I hope you find what works.
> 
> Julie
> 
> .discom
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> > On Dec 8, 2013, at 12:46 PM, "Littlefield, Tyler" <tyler at tysdomain.com> wrote:
> > 
> > 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.
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > nagdu mailing list
> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/naturelovingmom%40gmail.com