[NAGDU] questions about working with a guide dog

[Star Gazer]

They all pull though some do it more then others. 
The pull won't or shouldn't feel like Fido on his leash. If it does, that's a problem, one the school should take seriously. 



-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Calhoun via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2022 3:18 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sarah Calhoun <sc-tico at att.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] questions about working with a guide dog

Hi Madison,

The explanation below is an excellent description of how important the pull of the guide dog and how the communication works.

I would like to mention, while walking with your guide dog, your left arm is in a relaxed position at your side and not straight out in front of you. I was taught, while walking, you should be able to hold a newspaper under your arm.  

Also, your grip on the handle is a relaxed hold and not a closed tight fist.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Sarah and Lakota
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Wilson via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2022 1:50 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Scott Wilson <s.wilson661 at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] questions about working with a guide dog

Hi Madison. To answer your question, yes all guide dogs PULL. But don’t worry, you will go through something called a Juno walk which will assess how much PULL and how fast you walk. This information will be used to match you with the perfect dog for your likes and dislikes. Pulling into the harness is important for a guide dog. This makes for a good pathway for communication to travel through your arm and through the harness. You will be able to feel cues that your dog is giving with body language and your dog will feel cues from you with body language as well. Once your dog pulls in the harness and tugs you along a little bit, it will become natural movement for you. It will take a little bit of time to get used to it but it is an amazing feeling. It’s not like a dog that pulls on a leash, it is a controlled pool. You will be able to feel all of the movements your dog is making including their head turning left, right and even downward. Wishing you much luck and tails up!

> On Jan 13, 2022, at 1:59 PM, madison.martin2000--- via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> Please forgive me for asking what are most likely obvious and posibly 
> stupid/weird questions, but do all guide dogs pull when working; and 
> if so do they do it all the time or only when they need to get the 
> handler away from danger? If all trained guides pull all of the time 
> when in harness is it posible to train them not to pull? I ask because 
> I don't have a lot of upper body strength and I hate being pulled by a 
> dog. Look forward to any thoughts that anyone can provide me! Thanks 
> Madison
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/s.wilson661%40iclou
> d.com

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sc-tico%40att.net


_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/pickrellrebecca%40gmail.com