[NAGDU] choosing a school

Wed Nov 1 18:26:54 UTC 2017

Initially, dogs are taught to not only stop at the top of stairs, but
to stop in a position that puts the railing (if there is one) in easy
reach of your right hand. So generally, it is pretty easy to tell that
your dog has stopped for a set of stairs and not a curb or drop off. I
really don't insist on finding the railing most of the time, but
that's just me.

The way Thai handles step refusal is to stop at the top of the stairs.
If I say forward, he will not move until I put my left foot on the
first step. Only then will he start walking down the stairs. If it is
a curb, he stops of course but will move when given the forward
command. I've only encountered a drop off a couple times, but Thai
will stop and then either move in front of me or turn away if I give
him the forward command. Usually, dogs are going to avoid taking you
up to a drop off in the first place. Also, If I'm not sure what he is
trying to show me I will investigate it with my foot, not just
confidently step down if that makes any sense.

Danielle and Thai

On 11/1/17, David via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I've never encountered the problem.  Claire stops at the top of stairs.
>    If we are at the stairs and I can feel the edge of the step, or see
> it, I give her a forward command and she drops down one step and waits
> for me, then she takes the each step one at a time until we are at the
> bottom.  I can't imagine her leading off a ledge or drop off on a
> forward command.  Maybe I don't understand your question.
>
> *David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL*
> *david at bakerinet.com
>
> *
> On 11/1/2017 12:10 PM, Jean Menzies via NAGDU wrote:
>> Hi David,
>>
>> Wow, Clare Rose sounds like a dream dog. Thanks for sharing the skill
>> set from GDF. The only thing that concerns me about GDF is step
>> refusal. Good idea if it is a set of stairs, but not so good if you
>> are inadvertently steppping off a ledge or other drop off thinking it
>> is stairs. I can't get my head around going ahead of the dog. How do
>> you manage that?
>>
>> Jean and Bode
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: David via NAGDU
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2017 5:09 PM
>> To: Jean Menzies via NAGDU
>> Cc: David
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] choosing a school
>>
>> Hi, Jean.  My GDF pup finds chairs, doors, entrances versus exits,
>> return to entry points in large department stores, elevators, elevator
>> buttons, traffic buttons, escalators, counters, empty chairs, men's
>> rooms, checkout registers, up/down stairs, and trash cans.  I'm not sure
>> how much of that she came with, but she had these down in the first two
>> weeks at home.  She is not great with the follow command, because she
>> likes to lead. She is an absolute genius in crowds.  She is invisible in
>> restaurants and keeps her nose out of food in grocery stores, less so at
>> home out of harness.  Onsite training in Smthtown, NY, even for newbies,
>> is only two weeks.  She is a lab golden cross.  Food rewards are your
>> choice.  I use rewards randomly and for outstanding responses. She is a
>> 70 pound female and a total goofball out of harness.
>>
>> *David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL*
>> *david at bakerinet.com
>>
>> *
>> On 10/31/2017 2:09 PM, Jean Menzies via NAGDU wrote:
>>> Hello all,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Without going into the details now, I am looking at dog retirement,
>>> and getting applications started for dog  number 7. Even if I end up
>>> delaying exceptance, the paperwork will be good for two years, and
>>> there are reasons to get going on it now.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> My current dog is from Leader. He is wonderful, and I really like the
>>> skill sets that LD puts on their dogs. But in deciding if I stay or
>>> change schools, I want some information on the Seing Eye as well.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> For anyone who has been to either school recently, or for those who
>>> have been to both, I would like your thoughts on the following points:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Food rewards used or not used
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If food rewards are used, are they phased out or maintained
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Skill sets –
>>>
>>> Is Find the ... taught? If so, what objects or items are the dogs
>>> taught to find initially? E.g., empty chairs/benches, stairs up/down,
>>> pushbutton poles, doors, inside/outside, etc.?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Traffic work – exposure to quiet cars
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Application process: Number of references, home video
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm interested in comparing the skill sets and working styles of the
>>> dogs, so please, no info on meals, rooms, etc. That's not important
>>> to me. Any info anyone can provide on current training from the two
>>> programs would be appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jean
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>>
>>
>>
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