[nagdu] Lines in the sand?

[Garry and Joy Relton]

Rebecca et al,

The Seeing Eye stresses the importance of having emptying schedule which it
calls "parking). I have found that having a regular park time schedule
pretty much eliminated any problems. I schedule their feedings so that they
eat and drink first and then go out. This has worked well for me over the
years. There are still those instances where my guides have needed to park
off schedule. This happens and, as you say Rebecca, I got used to the way
they let me know. The type of problems I have little patience with my own
guides is when they have to empty off schedule once when you are out walking
and then try to do it every time you go by there. When that happens I make
sure to take the dog out an extra time just before we go out walking and try
to walk after the morning park so that she/he should be done with that
activity for a while. Having said all that, there are still times when the
dog gets upset, or is ill when their bodily functions just don't work as
they should, or as you need them to do. 

I am curious, do schools other than Seeing Eye emphasize the scheduled park
times as well. Also, just for my information, do they train you how to pick
it up?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS)
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 3:16 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lines in the sand?


Re barking and agression, Jeanine didn't you work a dog with some of these
issues? 
I ask because I'd be curious to know the thoughts of those of you who have
experienced this. At what point do you say "I can/want to keep working with
these dogs" or "I can't take it anymore". 
As for relieving, my second dog did this in harness and indoors. The problem
was twofoldd; the first part ws that her cues were completely different from
my first dog. My first dog would just stop or would take met o grass and
would really stand her ground. My second was different. Her "I have to
relieve" cues were very similar to her "I'm thirsty cues" and it took me
awhile to figure out which was which. She also really wanted to please me,
and when she got to the point where she'd take me to grass or to an exit
door, I had to really be on the ball because if I said "We're not going
outside now", she'd be like "Okay" guide a bit more and then relieve. So it
took us awhile to get ittogether and some of it was her getting used to me,
and some was me getting used to her. 
I think this may be one area where owner-trainers have an advantage because
they can teach the dog from the beginning how to convey that it's potty
time. 
Thoughts anybody?
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 2:43 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lines in the sand?

This is an excellent question!
Things I absolutely cannot tolerate are continuous barking, growling,
aggressively lunging, relieving inappropriately and total lack of grooming.

I think dogs are dogs and they are going to have an off day.  I don't have a

problem with a dog who lets out a woof on the rare occasion.   It
happens 
and I don't see it as a huge deal if it is only one or two and the handler
is doing their best to manage the situation.

Aggression, I'm talking about outright readiness to hurt someone is not
acceptable in a service dog.  I can't think of a situation when it would be 
okay.   I think any dog that exhibits aggression should be immediately 
removed from working as a guide dog.

Relieving inappropriately is another thing that absolutely drives me insane.

I understand that dogs get sick and that is not what I'm talking about. I'm
meaning dogs that consistently relieve indoors or worse males who mark their
territory while in harness.

Gross neglect of the dogs grooming is totally preventable and in complete
control of the handler.  There is no reason that a dog with fleas or other
creepy crawlies should be taken into public.

Oh and one more...I am not very impressed with handlers who let their dogs 
run amuck.   When you're eating at a really nice formal dinner and find
an 
escaped  dog begging or helping themselves to food from tables, well, it's 
just not cool.   I think the dog should always be on leash or otherwise 
confined when in a public place.

All JMHO of course
Julie




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