[NAGDU] how fetching.

[S L Johnson]

Hello:

I wish the schools still taught the dogs to retrieve dropped items.  I 
realize it is time consuming to teach and not all dogs take to it so, as 
someone said, what do you do then?  It would be sad to reject a dog who was 
an excellent guide just because it would not fetch.  Due to arthritis and 
multiple sclerosis I am always dropping stuff.  It was sure helpful when my 
dog would get it for me.  As Bianka mentioned some of my dogs would at least 
put their nose or paw on the object so I could find it easier.  I have 
taught Eva to show me the object but have not yet convinced her to pick it 
up and give it to me.

Sandra and Eva

-----Original Message----- 
From: Bianka via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2017 3:49 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Bianka
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] how fetching.

Hi dan and list,

I remember when I had my first guide dog who was an exceptional fetcher the 
debate was still running high whether it was OK to teach force fetch. The 
school we got our dogs from teach fetch as part of the obedience and play 
routine and my husband's dog likes shoes so my husband taught him to fetch 
those or to bring his sports harness if he uses to carry it around. What I 
have taught all my dogs is to point towards fallen objects with their noses, 
this is easier to teach than fetch and has worked quite well for our 
purposes. For all my dogs it was enough when I praised them when they ran 
towards the fallen object. With my dog it will even work with edible objects 
if I ask her early enough to show me where they have fallen.

She is very reliable with bringing back her toys as well so I can play with 
her outside in the forest without being afraid of loosing a toy. My previous 
black lab liked to find the objects but didn't like to bring them. She would 
show my husband's dog the object and he would have to fetch it.

Kind regards,

Bianka

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