[NAGDU] Horrible Left Tendency

Thu Aug 29 14:12:50 UTC 2019

Hi Julie M.
I totally get what you're saying.  Krokus has a strong left tendency, and I
would much prefer that he walk in the middle of the sidewalk.  It gives us
more room to maneuver.  He is so far left that he has nowhere to go when
some cell phone zombie comes shambling at us, and he's walking right next to
the homeless guys by the wall.  Most of the homeless guys are OK, but some
are not stable and could strike out at him.  That worries me.

I have discussed this with more than one trainer.  It's a common problem
with dogs working in cities, but it's not acceptable to me.  
I had one dog who was very sensitive to where the harness handle was.  It
had to be in the center of her back, or she would start moving over.  Also,
I have a tendency to crowd the dog a bit.  So, I have to make sure I'm in
the right position, not moving up on my dog.  I have to make sure I am
keeping firm tension on the harness, and I'm holding the handle straight,
not a little rightish.  Keeping good tension is especially a problem with
Krokus, as he's a bit slow for me.  So I have to hupp him up to my speed,
and not unconsciously overwalk him even a little bit.
I also have to stop Krokus sniffing things on his left, which is an
incentive for him to be over there.
Then, if I'm doing all my part, and the dog is still hanging left, I take
the leash and give a bit of a tug right, and say "Get over", which is my
version of the over right command.  Krokus was never taught any command like
that, so I can make up my own.  
These things are not working perfectly, but we are getting closer to where I
want to be.
HTH.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 2:08 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Julie McGinnity
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Horrible Left Tendency

Hi all,

This is such a great discussion!

To answer your question, no, I don't want my dog on the right because
of anyone's comments or criticisms.  That would likely make me not
want my dog on the right.  Lol  Just kidding, sort of...

I have begun traveling more in Washington DC, and the sidewalks there
are much wider than what I'm used to in Baltimore.  When we are in DC,
Bill pulls me so far over to the left that I lose people.  It's not a
safety issue to lose my friends, but it is not convenient at all.
Also, he nearly refuses to find doors and such that are on the right
side, choosing instead to keep me on the left side.  He does this in
my office as well, and he does play games with people, expecting them
to get out of his way so he can remain on the left side.  It's rude
and not a behavior I would like to encourage.

I like what Julie said about social norms.  I don't always need my dog
to stick to the right side exactly, but hugging the left walls makes
me feel off.

I think I will try teaching over right.  I anticipate it taking a
little bit for it to stick, but Billy Bob is an intelligent dog and
will do it once he is sown the value in what I'm teaching him.  Thank
you.

Julie

On 8/28/19, Madison Martin via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi David,
> Can you please email me privately? I'm interested in applying to GDF and I
> have some questions for you. My email is:
> maddymartin at mymts.net
> Thanks
> Madison
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David via NAGDU
> Sent: August-28-19 11:03 AM
> To: Sarah Calhoun via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: David <david at bakerinet.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Horrible Left Tendency
>
> I know this has been talked to death, but I have a couple of new
> observations.
>
> I understood that left-guiding is based upon the need to face traffic when
> walking on roads where drivers drive on the right side of the road, so
that
> you are always facing traffic when walking on the road without a side
walk.
> GDF trains guides to walk on the left, but they also train the commands,
> OVER RIGHT and OVER LEFT. I find it easier to just let Claire Rose guide
me
> from the left of the path, except in NYC.
>
> In NYC, I get body slammed when walking on the left at least twice, often
> more, each block I walk. What I have found is that fast-paced New Yorkers
> are very self-absorbed. When they sense, but don't look at, someone coming
> toward them, they will move slightly to their left. They apparently think
> that the person coming toward them will also move a little to their left
as
> well. When you don't, a collision occurs.
>
> When traveling in different countries, I have found that each culture has
> its own rules regarding personal space. Who gives way to whom depends upon
> where you are. Speed, angle of approach, and placement on the walkway are
> all important aspects of this. Sometimes the rules change on subways and
> stairways, in airports, performance venues, and stores. Italy's rules are
> vastly different from Germany's. France's rules are different from
Spain's.
> I think a study would make a great Master's thesis, if it hasn't been done
> already.
>
> *David in Clearwater, FL*
> *david at bakerinet.com*
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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

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