[NAGDU] Corrections

[Chantel Cuddemi]

I was only accused once of abusing my dog, which I never did. I told 
Pilot that Motley was not being abused when I gave leash corrections and 
so they left it be.

Chantel.
On 9/23/2016 8:31 PM, Rachel Grider via NAGDU wrote:
> Hello, Everyone:
>
> As many of you know, I am still a fairly new guide dog user and have had my dog for almost four months, including our time at The Seeing Eye. I feel like our partnership has solidified in so many ways since bringing her home. Having said this, I have noticed that Demi has become more easily distracted while in harness just within the last two weeks. Up until about two weeks ago, Demi was extremely solid while in harness, but I feel like she has slowly become more and more distractable in a short amount of time.
>
> I have had a couple of conversations with instructors at TSE about this and have done what they told me, but after a particularly frustrating experience last night, I realized a pattern in my handling that may be contributing to this problem.
>
> I think that my greatest weakness as a guide dog handler is giving corrections. I have no problem doing verbal corrections, but it took me awhile while at TSE to feel comfortable giving Demi a leash correction. I have gotten  over this reticence for the most part; if we are walking down the street and Demi gets distracted, I have no problem stopping and giving her a leash correction. Without thinking about it, though, I have realized that I shy away from giving anything beyond a verbal correction when I know that there are people watching. I know that this is ridiculous and that people could be watching at any time without my knowledge, but if I know that there are people around me and I feel Demi's head dip down to sniff, I give her a verbal and a sort of wimpy jerk on her leash to get her head up, and just drive her on with a hup-up. I think that the reason I do this is a fear of people thinking that I am abusing my dog, which is also silly because no one has yet accused me of such a thing.
>
> Now that I have become aware of this pattern in my handling, I am thinking that it may be at least partially responsible for Demi's increasing lack of focus. and am determined to change it before it is too late. I made sure I did obedience with her right befor we walked out the door this morning, and I left home early so that we would have plenty of time to stop, correct, and rework if necessary. Overall, things have been going quite well today...
>
> So here is my question: Have any of you actually had someone accuse you of abusing your dog? If so, what have you said to convince the accuser otherwise?
>
> Thank you for your support.
>
> Rachel
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