[NAGDU] questions about working with a guide dog

[richardfiorello716 at gmail.com]

	Hi Madison and list;
I realize you have had lots of replies but can't resist giving my two cents.
Pull may be a somewhat misleading word.  When you are walking down the side
walk you want the dog to lead and show you the way.  If the dog is to slow
for your pace you can end up leading the dog which isn't what you want.  If
the dog leads with to much vim and vigor for you there are things that will
slow it down such as the leader.
Its important that whoever comes to see you for a juno walk has a realistic
picture as to what speed you like to walk at and how much pull you are
comfortable with.  In my personal opinion its important to let the
instructor see the real you.  There is always the temptation to show how
fast you can walk and how much pull on the harness you can deal with.  The
problem is do you want to deal with those extremes on a day to day basis?
The other thorny question is this.  Sometimes one can have a dog with a nice
moderate pace in class.  Unfortunately after you are home a few months and
the dog gets comfortable,  in some cases the pace can increase
significantly.  Best of luck and don't be reluctant to ask lots of questions
and make sure that your school really understands your needs.
Richard
 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of madison.martin2000---
via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2022 1:58 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: madison.martin2000 at outlook.com
Subject: [NAGDU] questions about working with a guide dog

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


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