[NAGDU] choosing a school

[Jean Menzies]

Hi David,

My understanding of how step refusal was taught at GDF is that the dog stops 
at the top of stairs. The dog then waits until the human puts their foot 
down on the first step before proceeding. I was told that this ensured the 
person was aware of the stairs. But you are describing it the other way 
around, which makes more sense in my mind. I don't mind the dog putting  its 
front feet ahead and waiting. Either I'm wrong, or they have changed their 
methodology. Hey, not the first time I have been wrong. lol. Thanks for the 
explanation.

GDF is on my list for consideration along with Leader.

Jean and Bode

-----Original Message----- 
From: David via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 11:05 AM
To: Jean Menzies via NAGDU
Cc: David
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] choosing a school

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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