[NAGDU] Confusing thoughts

[carcione at access.net]

Hi Asia.
The Gentle Leader can help with distraction.  Just putting it on Igloo helps him calm down and focus.  It doesn't work for every dog, but it's worth a try.  My boy Ben wouldn't move with the GL on, and Krokus ignored it completely, but it's very effective with Igloo.
I also agree with Al; it wouldn't hurt to call your school and see what they say.
Tracy
 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Al Elia via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 9:01 AM
To: Asia Quinones-Evans <aevans.nfb at gmail.com>
Cc: Al Elia <al.elia at aol.com>; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; National Association Of Blind Students Mailing List <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Confusing thoughts

Hello Asia – I'm sorry to hear you are having difficulties.

Presuming you did not self-train your dog, have you spoken with the training program that trained your dog to ask if they have any advice on how you might address your dog's distraction in these situations? I know when I was a few years into use of my second dog, and I was having difficulty with distraction and re-engaging his attention, his training program was able to provide me with very helpful  advice. In my case, I was trying to communicate the way I had communicated with my first dog, and that ddid not work for my second dog. His trainers were able to diagnose that, provide me with guidance on what motivated my second dog, and suggest ways I could interrupt the distraction and re-focus him on the task I needed him to perform.

It may be true that your dog simply cannot handle the distraction of barking dogs, and that leaving him home and using a cane is the best option, as others have suggested. However, your dog may simply need you to communicate differently in certain situations. You may have to pause your activities to focus on your dog to offer reassurance/praise/whatever motivates them. That may require some patience and delay in your goign about your business, perhaps for several minutes. It may not be convenient for you or others. If others object, calmly tell them that the barking dogs are worrying your guide, and that you need a few minutes to reassure your dog and get them back on track.

I hope this advice is helpful. Good luck.

Yours,

/Æ

Al Elia



On 20 Nov 2023, at 16:02, Asia Quinones-Evans wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> I want to start off by telling everyone that I am the only service dog 
> handler on my college campus this semester. There is a new Dean in the 
> Physical Education department (HPER) that I have most of my courses in.
> When they set up events now he advocates strongly for the Animal 
> Protection League to be their. There was an event I was required to 
> attend for class in October and the dogs were their. The dogs did not 
> come close to my guide dog but he was very nervous because he could 
> not see the dogs barking and he did not want them to attack him. Yes, 
> you read that correct the dogs were barking at an event from the  APL. 
> This lasted over 45 minutes. I had to keep ahold of the leash to keep 
> him focused and calm while walking around this event. My college will 
> have another event hosted by this department towards the end of my 
> semester for the students to enjoy some relaxing time before finals. 
> There will be the APL there. I am not sure how to feel about this 
> because they are getting approval from the college but its putting my 
> safety in  jeopardy distracting my service dog. I am pretty sure if 
> there were any other service dog handlers on campus they would feel 
> the same. I was wondering if you are in college currently, have been 
> in college previously, and have had this type of a situation, how did 
> you deal with it? The event I was required to attend in October could 
> have been avoided if it was not a grade for my class. This upcoming 
> event will be in the main building that I spend most of my time in. So I can not avoid it that day. Thanks for any feedback.
>
> I do want to state that besides now other dogs distracting and being 
> aggressive towards my guide dog I love rescue places. My first pet 
> that I had to put down in August was a rescue. He was 14 years old. I 
> will always rescue a pet no matter if I have the money to buy from a breeder.
>
> Yours truely,
>
> Asia Quinones-Evans
>
> Phone: 440-670-6509
> Email: aevans.nfb at gmail.com
>
>
> Live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back

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