[NAGDU] Horrible Left Tendency

[Julie McGinnity]

I receive my dogs from Guiding Eyes.  This is the only ongoing issue
I've had in five years of working with him, and only recently has it
gotten to the point of disruption and frustration.  I may go to the
school again and ask for some help.  But I'd also like to hear what
other handlers have done in situations like this one.  Thanks.

Julie


On 8/27/19, Amanda Cape via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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-- 
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