[nagdu] Steps

[Albert J Rizzi]

Marion,

Sounds like what you are describing is step refusal. I think intelegent
disobedience may be another term while I understand and appreciate, do not
agree with you and your position on the GDF not teaching this to its guides
or its handlers. I and my guide were totally trained in this style of step
refusal or intelligent disobedience as you call it. it is something that to
the best of my knowledge and Jenine Stanly can correct us both on this one,
that all dogs and handlers should be aware of when graduating from the gdf.
My guide will not move forward without my first checking what is before me,
whether a step, stair or curb. This is true in every instance where there is
a down grade or step down or up that I might expect to take. He is trained
to not move forward until my foot is firmly planted and I give a verbal
command and a wave of my hand saying forward. maybe you should take this up
with the s school and Gallagher since if I recall he was the one who worked
with you and sarge.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."


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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 6:38 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Steps

James,
    Many training programs do not teach "intelligent disobedience" on steps,

including the program from which I got my dog. I have trained him on this. 
When we are ata down or up step, I give the command "Forward!". If it is a 
up or down durb, my dog proceeds. If it is more than one step up or down, he

refuses until I pair the "Up" or Down" command with the "Forward" command. 
For instance and especially at a flight of down stairs , I tap the step with

my foot and praise him. Then I say, "Forward". If he proceeds, I drop the 
handle and correct him. The next time, I give the same command while pulling

the leash to the right to create a body block, offering lots of praise as he

does this. I repeat this until he body blocks for me on his own. Then I give

the command "Forward - Down!", praising him exuberantly when he does! HTH!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Brown" <jbrown321 at comcast.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 11:11 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Steps


>    Hello All,
>
> My name is James Brown, and I have been a guide dog user for six months 
> now.  Locating down steps in unfamiliar places still creates  a little 
> anxiety for me.
>
> Jordan, who has a fast stride, currently stops for steps as he was trained

> by Fidelco, but stopping could mean plenty of other things as well.  I 
> thought about training him to tap my leg with his nose to let me know we 
> are about to go down steps.  Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
> JB
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