[NAGDU] Seeing Eye training techniques

[Jenine Stanley]

I’ll echo what Tracy said here. I trained at Tse in March/April of 2022 and food was only used to teach finding things or problem solving. 

I also tried using the cane during country walks but like Tracy, I went back to the old way. Actually my instructor showed me a different way that works incredibly well for us. When you stop to check the curb, give the dog a command to turn left, or right if you’re working that side. Then move as if to check for a curb. This method has given me the best country working dog I've ever had. 

Regarding follow, I think it was explained and we used it maybe once or twice but it was something we were warned about over-using. 

What surprised me about going from a school where you only used the dog’s name in the recall command to Seeing eye was just how the dog’s name is used. I’m sure someone mentioned this to me at the beginning of class but it only hit home later. Use the dog’s name if you want to get its attention for a positive action. I’m sure someone else can word this better but do not use the name as a reprimand, or use the name followed by pfui or other correction. 

Talk about old habits to break. 


> On Jun 5, 2024, at 8:30 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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