[NAGDU] Not impressed at all with Leader Dogs

[Sandra Johnson]

Hello:

I have experienced having to retire two of my previous guides because they 
developed some fearful aggressive barking and growling after they were 
frequently attacked by dogs in my apartment building.  It is always a heart 
wrenching difficult decision especially when the rest of their work is so 
excellent.  It broke my heart to retire them but it was impossible to take 
them anywhere around other dogs.  I also knew their barking and growling 
were sending the wrong message to the public of what a well behaved guide 
dog should be therefore making it bad for all other guide dog handlers.  The 
situation is even worse now that we are encountering so many fake dogs 
barking and growling it really sends the wrong message.

Sandra and Eva
-----Original Message----- 
From: Kerri Sprecher via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2018 7:50 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Kerri Sprecher
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Not impressed at all with Leader Dogs

Jordan and List,
I don’t know if Sadie, my current dog that is about to be retired, has ever 
been put in a situation where another dog was aggressive with her before I 
got her, since she was a re-issued dog, but that probably would explain some 
of the same exact problem is I have been having with her as you have been 
having with yours. I thought I was reading my own story there for a 
minute.*Smile*
I agree with Sandra, some problems just can’t be fixed, no matter what you 
do. I have worked with her on this issue ever since I got her 2015, and it 
has never changed.g
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 9, 2018, at 4:19 PM, Sandra Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> 
> wrote:
>
>   Jordan:
>
> You have been having these problems with Belto for a very long time now. 
> Maybe it is time to consider retiring him.  It is obvious that he cannot 
> be trusted to behave himself around other dogs.  This is particularly 
> dangerous if you attend meetings or functions with other blind people and 
> their guide dogs.  You have tried very hard but some problem behaviors 
> just cannot be fixed.
>
> Sandra Johnson and Eva
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2018 4:50 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Jordan Gallacher
> Subject: [NAGDU] Not impressed at all with Leader Dogs
>
> The subject says it all.  Leader Dogs is up to not listening nor taking 
> the
> problem seriously again regarding Belto's aggressive behaviors around 
> other
> dogs sometimes.  Suggestions?  They are down to one field rep as some of 
> us
> might be aware of.  .  Last night was the exact situation I have been
> worrying about where he tries to attack another dog and nothing works to 
> put
> a stop to it except for getting physical with my dog, which is exactly 
> what
> I ended up having to do.  Other times the dog or dogs are behind fences 
> and
> it took both me and the girlfriend I had at the time to literally drag him
> out of those situations.  His work is great otherwise, but none of the 
> usual
> methods work on Belto since he is so strong willed.  Leader is also 
> failing
> to realize that there is a big difference between when Belto wants to play
> with another dog and when he is being aggressive.  Usually, if Belto is
> going to be aggressive, I am quite close to the other dog before he shows
> any interest where as if he wants to play, he will start picking up the 
> pace
> and pulling more a bit of a distance from the other dog.  That case, hop 
> up
> and/or a correction works every single time to get his head on straight.
>
> Jordan
>
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