[nagdu] an interesting conversation I just had

Wed Nov 20 22:45:19 UTC 2013

Dear Aleeha,
	I think your companion, except when the leash dropped, should have
asked whether or not and what kind of help you needed.  I am amazed at how
many "experts" out there among us telling us how and when or not to correct
our dogs, etc.  Let the same dog vomit somewhere because they ate something
they shouldn't, you'd be verbally chastised as well.
	I know you felt forced to take that person's arm to get to class on
time, and one wants to make friends on campus, but sometimes outré damned if
you do and damned if you don't.
	As for the o&m instructor--I'm sorry I forgot your name---I have had
my experiences with  mine, too, but this individual now knows he isn't an
expert and not to even try that kind of stuff with me unless he asks to
touch me first.
	I won't be responsible if a professional ever grabs my arm for any
reason again; that happened to me on the job; I should--and would
today--file a grievance, and I'm not sure there isn't a process by which you
can complain about this instructor.
	Anyway, both of you keep us updated and ask for all the support you
need.
Darla & hardworking Huck

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Star Gazer
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 4:27 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] an interesting conversation I just had

Your instructor has a boss. I'd give that boss a call. Yanking you and
intimidating you is not cool. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kristen
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 5:22 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] an interesting conversation I just had

I had a similar experience today with my dog on an O&M lesson.

The instructor attempted to direct me on how to properly command Corvette,
even though she then admitted that she has no experence working with guide
dogs. She kept turning us around, making Corvette very confused and unable
to move forward. She wouldn't let him use the bathroom when he was anxious
(that is always how I know when he has to go). I couldn't do anything right
for her today.

She later yanked my arm and his leash to make us go the way she wanted. I
moved my hand, so that I was holding on to her, but she
said: "You're not even doing sighted guide correctly; does your mother let
you get away with this when you hold on to her?" (She said that I needed to
have my fingers on one side of her arm and my thumb on the other - like a
pop can - whereas I put my whole hand around someone's arm.) When Corvette
was extremely confused because of her, I asked her if she could guide me
back to the car, but she refused. Later, she told me that I need to take the
time to practice with Corvette because he is losing skills, which is untrue.

I think you did the right thing with the person walking with you. 
People who know nothing about guide dogs have no say. We have been through
training and know what to do in these instances.

--
Kristen

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Aleeha Dudley <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 15:03:22 -0500
Subject: [nagdu] an interesting conversation I just had

Hello all,
  My main point of this message is to see what you all thought of a
situation that just came up.
  I was walking with someone, on my way from my genetics class to
statistics. The minute we walked out the door of the biological sciences
building, I knew Dallas was not at all focused. He was pulling left, nearly
ran me into a pole, and being very sniffy. I gave a verbal correction, a
"hup-up" and we made it to the mid-block crossing I had to use, which wasn't
very far from  the building, We got across the street OK. Dallas veered a
bit, but the "straight"
command had him positioned beautifully for the up curb.
  After going up the curb, Dallas seemed very distracted, so I stopped, gave
a sharp correction, and tried to move on. The individual walking with me
said "Hey, don't do that! I'm right here!" I promptly and rather sharply
said: "If you weren't here, he's got to focus. 
I
could've just gotten hit by a car because he was not focused at all."
I got a grudging "OK" and we moved on.
  Not ten feet later, Dallas pulled off like he had to park. He didn't have
a regular stool this morning, so I let him go. 
Unfortunately, I
dropped the leash accidentally and my walking companion grabbed it and would
not give it back. All Dallas did was sniff, eat leaves, and chew on nuts,
so, when I heard he had a nut in his mouth, I took the leash, grabbed the
nut out of Dallas's mouth, and threw it away. Dallas never did park, so I
tried to move on. My companion asked me if I had fed Dallas this morning,
then went on to suggest that Dallas had intestinal issues because he was
trying to eat grass and leaves. 
I
told him that Dallas was just being stubborn and that he needed to
understand that I would not take this garbage from him. This person
said: "Well, right where you're correcting him is right on his jugular, and
you don't want to mess that up." I attempted to explain the strength of the
neck muscles, but this person just wouldn't stop.
Meanwhile, Dallas wouldn't go anywhere, so I chose to take the person's arm
and walk with Dallas at heel because I didn't have much time and it was
evident that all Dallas wanted to do was eat. I tried to explain to this
person that Dallas is a hard-headed dog and needs a good "tail-kicking."
This person said "well, don't hurt him!" I cannot believe the ignorance of
this individual. But was I right in what I did? Shis person left me with a
nasty comment of "well take care of him." Like I don't love and deeply care
for my dog. Oh, what a mess!
Aleeha and the insolent Dallas

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