[nagdu] Free running (was: Pickup The Poop)

[Star Gazer]

I noticed when I was in the U.K. that guide dogs were allowed to free run. 
I'm curious why sighted assistance is needed? What I mean is that not all sighted people are created equal, and working eyeballs doesn't necessarily mean that you'd get any practical help with your dog. 
Also, what happens if you don't have sighted assistance at a time when your dog needs to free run? What if say you're married to someone who can see, but he's at work so not able to help when the dog needs to free run. What do you do then? 
How do you vet that the sighted person will help in any real way? 


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Pam via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2015 12:43 PM
To: Leye-Shprintse Öberg; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Free running (was: Pickup The Poop)

yes and it is the same here. our dogs r allowed a free run in a park or woods. somewhere safe once or twice a week so the dog's recall has to b very good. i think it's good as it allows dogs to just b dogs. obviously their recall has to b very good too and i would never free run my dog alone. i always have someone sighted with me. the dogs here r trained to respond to a whistle. callie's recall is excellent and she never goes far from me at all when on a free run. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 26 Mar 2015, at 16:34, Leye-Shprintse Öberg via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> BS'D
> 
> Viviana,
> 
> Yes, our dogs are allowed to free run. It's common for pet dogs too. The dogs have a 'play collar" (a collar with a bell) and, of course, we're training recall with them. If you think that guide dog handlers free run their dogs in the busy city, you need to rethink. We're, of course, told wish places are safe. If you work in the city, you leash relieve your dog, if you don't have a safe park close by. When I free run my dog, it's like a game. I let her off, call her back and praise before she's allowed to take off again. Only because we free run our dogs in Europe don't mean that we don't love and care for them.
> 
> LeSholom,
> Leye-Shprintse and Hera, who loves a nice run; and especially, mommy's 
> candy! <3 _______________________________________________
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