[NAGDU] how fetching.

[Danielle Sykora]

My guide loves to retrieve, and will fetch a toy until you take it
away. Retrieving in water is his favorite activity of all time. I
taught him to put his paw on items I drop, but didn't teach a formal
retrieve. The released guide dog will only fetch a toy a few times
before she will just lay down and chew on it; however, she loves to
pick up random things around the house and bring them to people. Both
are Lab/Golden crosses.

I too think there's something special about Goldens, and have
requested one for the next time.

Danielle and Thai


On 3/17/17, S L Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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