[nagdu] unfamiliar areas

[Sherry Gomes]

I discourage my dogs from following people, and instead, I ask someone I'm with to walk behind me and give directions for me to pass to my dog. I've had dogs in the past that became too dependent on following and I don't like the loss of control I feel using follow. I feel like it takes away my handling in a way, that the dog won't listen as well to me, and I feel it diminishes the dog's initiative. Having said that, I know tons and tons of handlers who like using the follow command and use it well and effectively. It's all down to personal preference, and neither way is better than the other.

Sherry



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne Denning via nagdu
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 12:43 PM
To: Danielle Burton; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] unfamiliar areas

Some of my dogs have been better than others.  That is why I ask the
person to keep talking.  If I wanted to teach the command I would
probably begin by having my dog follow someone he/she knows and give
frequent rewards and praise when the dog is successful.  Then, find
someone your dog does not know so well and keep working on the skill.

On 4/19/15, Danielle Burton via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> This conversation leads to a question I have. GEB doesn't teach the follow
> command. So, my dog doesn't know to follow. She will sort of but not really.
> How would you go about teaching this? Also, they do not recommend you do
> this because the dog could risk not paying as much attention. Is this true
> for those of you handlers who have worked multiple dogs?
> Thanks,
> Danille and Willa who hasn't figured out how to follow yet
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Apr 19, 2015, at 11:40 AM, Pam via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> hi everyone. i'm just wondering what u all do if u r working your dog in
>> an area that is not familiar to u but u also have a sighted person with u
>> too. do u just follow the sighted person with your dog? it's not something
>> i've really done yet so just curious what others do. thanks ☺️
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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