[NAGDU] Horrible Left Tendency

[cape.amanda at gmail.com]

I am just curious as to where you received your dogs from Julie.
Thanks,

Amanda

> On Aug 27, 2019, at 10:59 AM, Julie McGinnity via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> This has probably been discussed before, so I apologize for repeated
> topics.  But how have you handled a ridiculously pronounced left
> tendency your dog continues to display?  My dog, Bill, is 7 years old,
> and he has gotten super stubborn lately about sticking to the left
> side of everything.  I mean that he will hug walls, keep me on the
> left sides of sidewalks to the point where I am hesitating to walk so
> close to the edge or to the buildings we're nearly brushing up
> against, and he pretty much refuses to redirect towards to the right.
> 
> I know dogs are trained on the left.  I know they prefer the left.  I
> have mentioned this to my school, and they don't seem to think it's a
> big deal.  But it's creating problems for me as I try to walk with
> others.
> 
> I have used his leash to show him where I want him to walk.  I've
> corrected for hitting walls and corners with his harness.  I've also
> just stopped when he actively shoots to the left as we walk.  When I
> let go of the harness, he literally walks to the left.  I have an
> offset handle, and it's possible I lean to the right, and he is
> reacting to oppose my motion, but I dislike being pulled to the left.
> It makes me feel uncomfortable.  He still takes me around obstacles to
> the right, so maybe there is hope.
> 
> Any ideas?  I don't use food rewards much, but if it's the best
> solution for fixing this, I can break them out again.  Working with my
> first dog was a battle much of the time for this and other reasons.  I
> absolutely love working this dog.  He is responsive and well-behaved
> and teachable, but this challenge is only creating a dividing line
> between us.  Thank you in advance.
> 
> -- 
> Julie A. McGinnity
> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
> Blind Performing Arts Division; First Vice President, National
> Federation of the Blind of Missouri
> 
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