[NAGDU] to "I" was Leader and Leash Guiding

Wed Apr 20 19:02:13 UTC 2016

Sorry Julie, 

I’m testing and setting up a new mail program, Outlook for Mac and it really screwed up my info. Hopefully this will reintroduce me. 

Yes, I do work at GDF, as the Consumer Relations Coordinator. 

On 4/20/16, 2:56 PM, "NAGDU on behalf of Julie J. via NAGDU" <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org on behalf of nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:

>I,
>
>Who are you?  I don't remember you introducing yourself to the list and you 
>don't sign your messages.  Your below message has me wondering if you are a 
>trainer for GDF?  Could you elaborate please?
>
>Thanks,
>Julie
>Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now 
>available! Get the book here:
>http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
>-----Original Message----- 
>From: I via NAGDU
>Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 10:01 AM
>To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>Cc: I
>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Leader and Leash Guiding
>
>Lisa,
>
>First off, I’m so glad you have a good dog, regardless of where you got her.
>
>Actually the position for leash guiding is closer to the dog’s shoulder than 
>you would be for harness work. This is why we’ve discouraged the leash 
>guiding across streets or in complex areas. You just don’t have the room to 
>move with the dog for sudden movements.
>
>On 4/20/16, 10:18 AM, "NAGDU on behalf of Lisa Belville via NAGDU" 
><nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org on behalf of nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>>Yep, that's it, Danielle.
>>
>>I got my first two dogs from the GDF starting in 1996 and leash guiding was
>>always taught from day one.  The dog is in just about the same position 
>>when
>>leash guiding as it is in harness, but you hold the short leash just above
>>the loop made by the clip attached to the collar.
>>
>>Unless I'm mistaken, GDF no longer recommends leash guiding in traffic or
>>other really challenging areas because the information you get from the dog
>>on leash is not as good as that coming through the harness.  Most body
>>movements aren't as easy to feel and since the connection between you and
>>the dog is looser, you have less reaction time.
>>
>>My third dog is from GDA, and it was really hard adjusting to not having
>>leash guiding because the GDA equipment and many of their techniques are so
>>similar to the GDF's that I'd use GDF techniques instead.  At GDA we take
>>the dogs with us to dinner right from the get go and it was confusing 
>>having
>>a leash that felt so similar and not being able to use the dog to guide.
>>
>>Lisa
>>
>>
>>Lisa Belville
>>missktlab1217 at frontier.com
>>
>>Never make the same mistake twice. There are so many new ones, try a
>>different one each day.
>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>From: "Danielle Sykora via NAGDU" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>><nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>Cc: "Danielle Sykora" <dsykora29 at gmail.com>
>>Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 8:43 AM
>>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Leader and Leash Guiding
>>
>>
>>> GDF dogs are pretty much taught to guide just as well on leash as they
>>> do in harness. They aren't taught to heel at all, so they walk in a
>>> guiding position from day one. Puppies are either allowed to walk with
>>> a loose leash, or taught to moderate their pull so they put enough
>>> tention on the leash to effectively guide without dragging the handler
>>> or choking themselves. When the dogs are working in harness, you walk
>>> in the traditional approximately in line with the back legs position.
>>> When leash guiding, you stand closer up toward the shoulders.
>>>
>>> I often use leash guiding when I take my dog out to relieve or to be
>>> groomed. It can be helpful in narrow spaces because walking further
>>> forward can sometimes make it easier for dogs to clear obstacles or
>>> you can hold the leash and walk behind the dog. I also tend to use
>>> leash guiding in other people's houses if I'm going to be there most
>>> of the day and don't really want to keep his harness on the whole
>>> time. Having your dog leash guide while wearing a flat collar is also
>>> one way you can run with your dog, though if you plan to run a lot a
>>> sports harness is probably the better option.
>>>
>>> Danielle and Thai
>>>
>>> On 4/20/16, Caitlyn Furness via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Lizzie,
>>>>
>>>> Most schools don’t teach formal leash guiding.  I think GDF might be the
>>>> only one who does.
>>>>
>>>> Most schools don’t insist on a truely correct heel, either, so most dogs
>>>> are
>>>> really leash guiding to a point, since they are not in a true heel and
>>>> are
>>>> putting light tension on the leash.
>>>>
>>>> Hopefully some GDF grads can speak up about how this works, and when 
>>>> they
>>>> use it..
>>>>
>>>> Cait
>>>>
>>>>> On Apr 19, 2016, at 10:06 PM, Lisie Foster via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello from me and my Golden boy!
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a question about Leader Dogs and other schools who don't teach
>>>>> leash guiding (which I believe is every school except GDF).
>>>>>
>>>>> I read recently that Leader used to train their dogs to do some minimal
>>>>> leash guiding back in the late 70's or early 80's. I believe what I 
>>>>> read
>>>>> said that their dogs were always taught to maintain a forward position,
>>>>> even on leash.
>>>>>
>>>>> Does Leader still teach their dogs to heel that way? Is that true that
>>>>> they used to do so? And, are there any schools that used to teach dogs
>>>>> to
>>>>> leash guide but no longer do? If so, why did they stop?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you! I'm really interested in this topic!
>>>>>
>>>>> Lisie and Finn
>>>>>
>>>>> lisiefoster at yahoo.com
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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