[NAGDU] Seeing Eye training techniques

[carcione at access.net]

Hi Elizabeth. 
I trained with Igloo at TSE in January 2022.  I don't think there have been significant changes since then, so I'll answer.  
TSE teaches the use of the clicker with food rewards for those who want to do it.  They showed us how to use the clicker to teach the dog to find something, like my seat in the dining room.  At TSE, rewards are used to teach the behavior, and, when the dog has it, rewards are phased out.  No need to walk around with a bag of treats, unless you're teaching or reinforcing something new.
My instructor encouraged me to use a cane to check our location while we were doing country work--working in a place without a sidewalk.  However, I found the cane a bit awkward and preferred the old method of stopping occasionally and checking for the curb with my foot, and she was fine with that, too.
We did use Follow, I think, walking around a supermarket.  It's not emphasized, and I'm not sure it's formally trained, but the dogs can do it.  My last dog got rather addicted to Follow as he got older and was always looking around for someone else to do the hard work, so I see how it can be a problem and I'm being cautious about it, but Igloo doesn't show that inclination, and my first dog from TSE was very independent and would always go the way he thought best, no matter who was ahead of him.

I had 5 good dogs from GDB before switching to TSE, where I've gotten 3 dogs.  I've been very happy with the switch.
If you have more questions, I can try to answer.  carcione at access.net.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Elizabeth Rene via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 7:51 AM
To: NAGDU Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Elizabeth Rene <rene0373 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Seeing Eye training techniques

Whoops, trying again because this went out too soon.
Dear recent TSE grads,
I know that someone doesn't"Graduate" from TSE, but I have some questions for those who have recently trained there.
I have applied for my ninth guide dog, and have been surprised by some changes in the training approach at my last school.
Does TSE teach handlers to use food rewards for bonding or guide work?
Does it teach one to use a white cane while guiding?
Does it teach the follow command or something like it, or has that command been discarded as unsafe? 
I'd love to hear from you, as your answers may help me to decide which school to attend.
Thank you very much.
Elizabeth

Elizabeth M René 
Attorney at Law 
WSBA #10710
KCBA #21824 
rene0373 at gmail.com

> On Jun 5, 2024, at 4:36 AM, Elizabeth Rene <rene0373 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi. I have some questions for those recently trained at TSE.
> Elizabeth M René
> Attorney at Law
> WSBA #10710
> KCBA #21824
> rene0373 at gmail.com

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