[nagdu] Lack of speed

Tue Nov 19 21:59:59 UTC 2013

If Jewel thought or thinks that her dog needs some time to just walk on a leash, why can't she do this herself? Why the suggestion to "find someone" to do this for her, unless Jewel for whatever reason can't or isn't interested in doing this. 
The thing to remember is we get these dogs to help us. If a dog needs a lot of things so that it will simply do it's job, at some point the cost-bennifit becomes to high. 
What advantage would there be to getting a dog if one needs to "find someone" to take it for walks? What bennifit is there if a handler needs to go through all kinds of machinations in order to keep the dog's work effort up to par? 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of barbandzoe at comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 2:57 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lack of speed

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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