[NAGDU] Tips please

[S L Johnson]

Hi Dar:

When working Penney, you could try keeping the leash in your right hand to 
keep her head up off the floor.  The problem comes in when you want her to 
lye down under seats or tables.  When I first brought Eva home, she was very 
sniffy and distracted, especially in grocery and department stores.  I found 
that by holding the leash in my right hand, I was able to feel what her head 
was doing.  You could try doing a short obedience session before leaving the 
house to focus her attention on you instead of what she wants.  I have also 
done quick obedience out in public if the dog is too distracted.  It only 
takes a few extra seconds to step off to the side and quickly give her a few 
sit, downs.  This helps to bring her focus back to you.  Don't get 
embarrassed, if anyone asks what you are doing, just tell them,  you are 
working on some training with your new guide.

The pulling can be very painful for you as well as frustrating.  Some 
trainers recommend that the minute you feel her pulling too hard, you stop. 
Then get her attention by doing a few sit, down, sit,down,sit, down, you get 
the point.  Then pick up the harness handle and begin moving forward.  Each 
time she begins to pull too hard, you stop and do the same thing.  Of 
course, this only works when you are not in a hurry trying to get somewhere. 
For you, this might result in too much fatigue.  Another thing I've heard is 
to stop and drop the handle the minute she begins to pull letting her 
continue forward as you pull back on the leash correcting herself when she 
reaches the end of the leash without you.  Then, you call her to heel and 
try again.  This too can be very tiring and frustrating but it might help. 
I've also had trainers tell me to stop and suddenly change direction taking 
a few steps in the opposite direction.  Of course, this can be a problem for 
someone who has difficulty with orientation.  If you try it, be sure you 
make a complete 180 degree turn and then be able to turn back in your 
desired direction.  None of these methods really worked for me because I 
found them all to be very fatiguing and frustrating.  Fortunately my last 
two dogs were very slow with no pulling.  If you are using the Pilot Dogs 
harness, you can snap in the chest strip of plastic spikes that remind the 
dog not to put their full strength and pull into the harness.  Don't worry, 
the spikes will not harm your dog.  If you didn't get one, call and ask Ray 
to send it to you.  Good luck and I hope this helps.

Sandra

-----Original Message----- 
From: d m gina via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2015 3:50 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: d m gina
Subject: [NAGDU] Tips please

I want to start by saying I am a heart patient, where after a good
struggle I get quite tired.
I have my girl wearing the artin gale collar.
She doesn't like anything on her nose at all. Doesn't matter what it is.
She is a bit strong for me and I have to listen to my body.
Her nose lives on the ground or in a building of choice we are in at the 
time.
Making her sit, she realizes she lies down then she can sniff floor and
pick up what is down there.
It can become quite frustrating.
Then there are days when she won't give me grief over it at all.
I don't want to keep buying stuff if I have to keep fighting her.
just thought I would send out a message and get some tips.
She wil also decide to pull hard like a truck, and your arm is wishing
she would stop.
Other days she will walk nicely.
Thanks for reading.

-- 
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
  FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future

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