[NAGDU] Confusing thoughts

Tue Nov 21 16:48:35 UTC 2023

Hi Al,

Thank you for these thoughts. Since Vicky is my seventh dog I have realized that they are motivated differently but I wasn't thinking in terms of communicating. I had to retire my last dog after a year or so because he just didn't like the Florida weather or the golf carts. It is hard for me not to think that this one is going to stop working just because she would rather greet that dog straining toward her than walk with a grumpy woman who is just trying to get her to "leave it". I'm about to take my first solo walk with her down that path where we had difficulties a few days ago. I intend to keep that montra in my mind. Just remember to communicate with her in a way that is going to want her to do what I need her to do. In other words, lots of praises, make it fun, and when we get through a hug and a treat. Wish me luck.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Al Elia via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 6:01 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

_______________________________________________
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/joy.relton%40icloud.com