[nagdu] a few concerns

[The Pawpower Pack]

I am the one with thenewtrix, which is a headcollar similar to the halti, but it's made in Canada and connects at the back of the head instead of under the chin.  
The halti, gental leader and newtrix all seem to do well depending on the shape of your dogs face.  
Soleil has a hugely fat lab head— she's not fat, just her head is amazingly huge as compaired to the rest of her— 
and the gl did not fit her well because it cannot be adjusted as fully and uniquely as the newtrix which has a neck strap, plus individual cheek and chin straps.  
I have used a headcollar much like Daryl does.  I found that with it on, I could feel her head more— I'm Deafblind so cannot rely on audio feedback— and being able to feel her head let me click and treat her for times she was doing what I wanted, which made her want to do it more.  It also let me know when her lab nose was about to get up to things I'd prefer she didn't, and I could redirect her or pause and refocus her, and give her a chance to do a behavior I would pay for, like moving her body forward or ignoring whatever.  
It has taken a lot of work. I'm not used to handling such a food motivated dog, and I work on food refusal daily because this is a thing with which she will always struggle. However, we have now graduated to no head collar in the grocery store, or restaurants which is a really great feeling!  I still carry it but we now only use it in high distraction environments, like Daryl was explaining.    
As for your dogs relieving issues, I'm wondering if he's not getting stimulated enough in the daytime to go during normal hours.  I notice, that if we have a lazy day or two, Soleil will need to get up earlier to do her thing on the second day of no activity.  
Can you take him for a walk, about a 10-15 minute brisk walk or play with him about a couple hours before bed? Really try to get that energy out, and then take him for a final chance.  This really helps Soleil.  

Hang in there, those first months can be a challenge, especially with the first dog because it seems like it will never end. 
BTW love your dogs name! It's classy!  
 Rox and the kitchen Bitches: 
Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
Pawpower4me at gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 19, 2014, at 6:04 AM, Daryl Marie via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Rachel,
> 
> Forgot to mention something else.  Invest in a Halti... it's like a Gentle Leader, but it gives you more control.  There are two straps that go over the dog's cheeks, which make it hard if not impossible for doggie to scavenge and pick up stuff off the ground.  This is definitely something you want to nip in the bud as quickly as you can.  You will likely have to either do lots of training with the Halti and phase it out slowly, or use it consistently during work time for a period of time.  I used it consistently during work time for about 2-3 weeks, then phased it out to every other trip, to once a week, to less and less.  Now I keep it in my purse for times when Jenn needs to reset (just a ten-minute walk with it on every once in a while seems to just remind her that, "oh, yeah, Daryl knows what she's talking about!")  I also use it in very high-stimulus environments like pet stores or the vet's office, just because she really likes to sniff and meet and greet, and it gives me mich more control.
> 
> I think someone else on this list has something called a Newtrix, which she swears by, but I haven't tried it myself, but it is a similar concept.
> 
> Daryl
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rachel Becker via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:24:38 -0700 (MST)
> Subject: [nagdu] a few concerns
> 
> Hello. My name is Rachel Becker. I received my first guide dog Nigel from
> Guiding Eyes in August. He is a great dog and I had a great experience with
> the class instructors at Guiding Eyes. Lately, I have had a few concerns. He
> has been very interested in sniffing and trying to eat things off the
> ground. Also he has been needing to go to the bathroom in the middle of the
> night. I'm also concerned that he's not getting enough exercise, which may
> be causing the waking up problem, but I don't have a fenced area for him to
> run around in. I tried to play fetch with him on the long line a few times,
> but he was more interested in eating grass and did not go after the ball or
> kong, so I kind of gave up. What should I try?
> 
> Thank you for your patience.
> 
> Rachel
> 
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