[nagdu] clicker training and echolocation

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Julie J.
I use echolocation all the time, but it is probably not "advanced".  I
used to ride a bike, for instance, but that was a long time ago.
I wonder if you could use a high tongue-click for sonar, and a different
one for Monte?  The click I make with my tongue in the front of my mouth
sounds much different to me than the one with my tongue farther back.
Tracy

> Hello all!
>
> I am thinking of learning better echo location skills to help me be a
> better traveler, especially in outdoor off road settings.  I am
> specifically thinking of the technique called flash sonar taught by
> World Access for the Blind.   It's the tongue click technique where you
> listen to the echoes to get pretty detailed information about your
> environment.
>
> I understand that this technique has been met with skepticism in the
> past.  I understand that it isn't for everyone.  I feel though that it
> will give me added information about my environment, allowing me to
> explore and challenge what I previously thought would be difficult or
> impossible.
>
> I am not giving up working with a guide dog.  I plan to use this skill
> to compliment my use of cane and dog, not to replace them.   I am a good
> traveler now, but there are things I would like to do or do with more
> accuracy and ease than I am able to do now, camping, hiking, roller
> skating, archery, moving through airports, outdoor festivals, etc and
> perhaps riding a bike.
>
> So my main question is to those of you who use clicker training with
> your dogs, especially those who use the tongue click.  Am I going to
> confuse Monty with the echolocation clicks since he has been trained
> that is a marker signal that he has done something I wanted?   I'm
> thinking I can go back to the very first lesson of clicker training
> where you teach the dog that click means treat, except this time I will
> mix up tongue clicks with mechanical clicks only giving treats for the
> mechanical clicks to teach him that tongue clicks are no longer rewarded.
>
> I would also like to know if anyone has experience with using advanced
> echo location with your guide dog.  How has it helped you?  Have you
> encountered any problems?  Have you discovered you are able to do things
> you never thought possible?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts or ideas,
> Julie
>
>
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