[nagdu] Lack of speed

Tue Nov 19 20:51:38 UTC 2013

I don't think you have an accurate depiction of what a guide dog's
life is really like. I am in college and my guide works all the time
as I am really involved on campus. As Julie pointed out, guide dog
handlers are generally more active than other blind people because the
guide dog programs want to know that the dogs are being worked enough.
When she is not working, Viva gets plenty of opportunities to be a dog
and run around and play tug, which is her favorite game. Also, my
friends and I take walks all the time together and I bring her with me
and she gets to sniff and frolic and be a dog. A lot of what you are
saying are things I hear from sighted people all the time. They're
concerned that she only work work work and that I am basically abusing
her because she doesn't get to play. I think guides are most loved
animals on this earth. They provide an invaluable service to us and we
appreciate that and in turn, we give them love and attention like no
other pet gets. Oh, and they get to spend 24/7 with us.

On 11/19/13, barbandzoe at comcast.net <barbandzoe at comcast.net> wrote:
>  The dog was sitting on the floor because his person had an appointment and
> they were waiting to be called.
>
>
> Maybe some guide dogs need more dog time then others, It was just a thought.
>
> Barb
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 2:21:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lack of speed
>
> Well, the dogs are working. Sometimes they are way over fed. Why was the dog
> sitting on the floor with a GL. Please don't judge what the dogs' lives are
> like because of one or two or seven you see.
>
> My dog has dogs who live with us; he's very happy. All of my dogs have not
> had dogs that lived here with us; they were happy, too. The dogs usually
> love their work because dogs want to please the owner usually. You don't
> really have to go out of your way to make your guide happy I think.
>
> CL
>
> On Nov 19, 2013, at 1:57 PM, barbandzoe at comcast.net wrote:
>
>> I was thinking about why would the dog be doing what they are doing and
>> not their job.  Well maybe he needs a bit of down time.  Once or twice a
>> week have someone walk the dog like a dog and not a guide, this way the
>> dog can sniff and pee on  trees and even sniff a butt or two.  Can you do
>> that with a guide dog, have someone else walk him on just a leash like a
>> nonworking dog?  Or maybe he needs a play date with some dog friends a few
>> times a month.  that way he can run off steam and play like a dog.
>> I saw a fat lab guide dog yesterday and I felt so sorry for him, he didn't
>> look very happy siting on the floor with his gentle leader on.  I was
>> reading something that said blind people don't work the dogs enough to
>> keep them at a healthy weight, and from what I see up here I almost
>> believe them.
>>
>>
>> barb
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: "Tami Jarvis" <tami at poodlemutt.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 1:10:15 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lack of speed
>>
>> Barb,
>>
>> I've used a similar technique with Mitzi at times, although her usual
>> problem is being too much of a speed demon. /smile/ It can be done with
>> a guide dog, supposing the blind handler can deal with the ground and
>> stay oriented. I also tried doing tight circles with her, like I might
>> with a fractious horse, which is also not the best idea for a blind
>> woman. So I phased out both techniques, excpet for special occasions
>> where the poodle is being super obnoxious and I know the ground and area
>> well enough to use them safely.
>>
>> The trick with her is to bore her, which is what the turning back and
>> forth accomplished with her. Once I figured that out, I started just
>> stopping her when she would slow down, then standing there in place.
>> It's counterintuitive, but does work with her because that is boring. So
>> she will give in and graciously take me where I want to go at a decent
>> speed.
>>
>> With her, it's coming home when she still wants to gallivant that slows
>> her down. So I can play her little game and jolly her along without
>> missing appointments. If schedule were more of a factor, I guess I could
>> plan extra travel time... I don't know how practical that would be for
>> Jewel's situation. Hm...
>>
>> I've also used the bending down and patting technique others have
>> mentioned, which does work. Didn't know it had a name! /smile/ If the
>> poodle is just being stubborn for the heck of it, I can turn that
>> bending over into a dominant hold until she admits I am the boss. Or
>> until standing there bores her. /lol/
>>
>> I think understanding what motivates the dog and what un-motivates the
>> dog to cause the slow down is the best way to find a useful approach to
>> the problem. That can take time and trial and error, which is a bummer
>> when you need your guide dog to be taking you through your busy day
>> without your having to turn psychotherapist along the way.
>>
>> Jewel, I will be really interested what you learn and what kind of
>> solution works for you. Hope you get it handled soon!
>>
>> Tami
>>
>>
>> On 11/19/2013 10:37 AM, barbandzoe at comcast.net wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I listen to a dog trainer on the local radio station, and she will tell
>>> people that when the dog isn't listening to you on a walk, just glad the
>>> leash and do a 180, when the dog starts up again, 180, You will look
>>> funny going down the sidewalk, but that way the dog is thrown off guard
>>> and will have to start paying attention to you because they don't know
>>> what the heck you are doing.   Now I don't know if you can do that with
>>> guide dogs or not, but I thought I would just say it.
>>>
>>>
>>> Barb
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>
>>> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 11:46:59 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lack of speed
>>>
>>> Dogs don't like the GL and it does slow them down. I employ much of what
>>> Tracy does with the dog. I am glad you are in touch with the school
>>> because it is serious enough that it is wreaking havoc with your
>>> schedule.
>>>
>>> CL
>>>
>>> On Nov 19, 2013, at 11:32 AM, Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Yes, of course I will. I just am not at the proper place to do that
>>>> right now. I just need to vent my frustration and see you what people
>>>> say.
>>>> Jewel, who will call soon.
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 19, 2013, at 12:26 PM, "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Jewel,
>>>>>
>>>>> Give us a call and we'll have someone talk this out with you. I know
>>>>> we've
>>>>> been working with you but this sounds like it's not getting any better.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Jenine Stanley
>>>>> jeninems at wowway.com
>>>>> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 12:18 PM
>>>>> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Lack of speed
>>>>>
>>>>> I am getting very frustrated. My guide dog was slowing down to sniff
>>>>> everything we have been doing the gentle leader for two weeks now, and
>>>>> she
>>>>> still fights it so much I could walk faster if I stuck my hands in
>>>>> front of
>>>>> me and walked like a zombie. I have given her several happy walks with
>>>>> it
>>>>> on, lots of praise and some treats. But when the walk is to get
>>>>> somewhere,
>>>>> she is constantly making me late. I am sitting at the bus stop, in
>>>>> fact,
>>>>> because u couldn't get her to walk at a decent speed. I know she can go
>>>>>
>>>>> faster because I have even power walked with her. I am missing too many
>>>>>
>>>>> appointments because, though I give her extra time, she won't walk at
>>>>> her
>>>>> normal speed, instead choosing to crawl along at the speed of a
>>>>> toddler.
>>>>> What can I do to get her to speed up? I do hup hup. This is getting
>>>>> ridiculous.
>>>>> Jewel
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> reply://herekittykat2@gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
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