[Oagdu] Mambo, the poky little puppy.

[Andrew Leach]

Hello Deanna!

 

That is a difficult situation because you don’t know if Mambo isn’t comfortable moving at a faster pace or if his pace was mismatched for your walking speed.  In the old days trainers taught us that you wanted a new dog that moved slightly faster than your desired pace because as they matured into adults that their pace would slow down naturally and then it would be perfect.  Are you seeing Chuck or someone else?  You have to do what is in your best interest and for me, if I wasn’t moving any faster then I would using my cane that represents a fundamental problem that must be addressed.  Best of luck and please let us know how everything works out.

 

Andy and Brie

 

From: OAGDU [mailto:oagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deanna Lewis via OAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 9:21 AM
To: GDHAW at groups.io
Cc: Deanna Lewis; gdb_midwest at groups.io; Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users List
Subject: [Oagdu] Mambo, the poky little puppy.

 

Hi all,

I have always had a bit of an issue with Mambo’s pace… He walks pretty slow, and I’m not even a very fast walker. I’ve tried numerous things to try to get him to increase his speed, but nothing really helps long-term. I’ve tried: “hopp up”, leash cues/gestures, praise and cheerleading, high value rewards, clicking when he reaches a desired pace, and much more. It seems like the clicker works best, but it’s difficult because he hardly ever walks at a fast enough pace for me to click, and then he’ll slow back down a few seconds later. I do notice that if we are walking with someone and they are in front of us, Mambo will usually speed up a bit to match that person’s pace. But, lately, he won’t even do that… he just continues to poke along. It’s so frustrating, and really drives me crazy! 

Overall, he’s been a wonderful guide dog and I am very pleased with him. It’s just that he constantly  slows me down, and I could walk faster with my cane! Even my retired guide didn’t walk this slow when he retired, LOL. 

I have been in contact with the school and they have given me advice, but not much has helped. They will have a trainer in my area in May, so hopefully they will be able to observe this. Of course, at my follow-up last year,  his pace was a bit slow, but manageable. 

Can you all offer any suggestions on things I should try to get him to pick up his pace? Thanks in advance!

Deanna and Mambo

 

 
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