[NAGDU] Fell, again

[Bianka Brankovic]

Hello Tracey, 

first of all, I am really  sorry that you are facing these difficulties. 

First, you need  to be clear with yourself if you want to work on this issue or if enough is enough and Crocus has to be retired. 

Tammy has given you some good training advice here. Personally, I would recommend you do a check-up with the vet and look into things like harness handle, your position when you are working Crocus and your leash handling. i have been guilty of for example taking my leash into my right hand. That was not a problem with my previous dog but Aleska will react immediately and go over a bit to the right. 

Maybe you can work the area a few times with a sighted person to get a better feel for it what your dog is doing when the sidewalk is getting narrow. With my dogs it has been different, either the tension in the harness gets more pronounced or they walked slower or faster. 

You could carry a location cane  and check from time to time. although I wouldn’t correct too harshly as long as you are still with the feed on the sidewalk. .. 

I would suggest to the school that a representative should visit you in your  home area if at all possible to have a look at the situation. 

He would certainly want to know whether the falls have happened in the same area or whether there are other things in common like time of day. Also, take a look at your teamwork and ask yourself what you can do to help your dog work better. How can you lower the stress level for both of you etc.?  

I know, we get trained dogs, but my experience is that when they are with us we are responsible  for their further training and also for resolving issues. The schools can only help us but the main work is ours. 

Just my thoughts on this. 

All the best wishes for you both, 
bianka