[nagdu] Arbitrary restrictions on playing with future guide dogs

[Raven Tolliver]

As some of you know, I recently started working at LDB. One of the
aspects of my job is handing puppies over to puppy-raisers, explaining
to them basic dos and don'ts of raising, and going through the 16-page
contract they have to sign.

One of the things we tell them not to do is play fetch with the dogs.
Also, many of you know that the schools advise both raisers and
clients against giving the dogs soft toys, such as stuffed animals,
squeaky toys, or rope toys--anything they can tear apart easily.

I recently sat down with the director of training and asked him why
they set these guidelines. He explained that LDB doesn't want to
stimulate a dog's prey-drive. They don't want the dogs to be excited
by moving objects or moving animals because it could translate into
lunging after balls, animals, etc in harness.

I think this is ridiculous. I haven't raised a pup myself, so maybe
there's something to it. But since I've brought my golden home, we
play fetch with balls and frisbees, tug with stuffed animals or
squeaky toys, and whenever the Golden Guy is in his kennel at work, I
give him a stuffed golden retriever as a comfort object, though he
probably doesn't need it. My coworkers were surprised that my dog will
not chew the stuffed toy apart and rip the stuffing out of it.
Also, I played fetch with him out in the hallways tonight, and the
kennel care staff asked very sarcastically, "Wow, playing fetch
doesn't ruin his work?" And we then had a long discussion about how
the no-fetch advice is extremely unrealistic. They even told me that
the trainers will play fetch with the dogs in the runs sometimes, and
that there are many a tennis ball in the training trucks while dogs
wait their turns to be with their trainers.

I understand all dogs are not the same. Some dogs will chew toys up if
you let them, or if they're under stress. But you should monitor your
dog with toys no matter what. Some dogs just have the prey-drive
engrained in them and will go after moving objects and small animals
regardless. But I don't think the ways we play with them mitigates or
increases these behaviors. Retrievers were originally trained to
fetch, and shepherds were trained to lead and chase. They can
differentiate very well between what they do with toys out of harness,
and what their job is when in-harness. Given, dogs have their
distractions, but again, I don't think playtime has anything to do
with it, unless play is used as a reward during work.
Even then, the reward is offered after a cue is given, so if used
properly, this kind of play would improve a dog's work, not ruin it.

Does anyone else find that the advice against fetch and soft toys is
nonsense? Or Is it legit in your experience?
-- 
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs