[nagdu] issue with guide dog eating snow that is fresh

[Danielle Burton]

I like the idea of doing obedience in the snow but I would also give a leash correction for eating it if she is doing it whshe's not supposed to. I do combination of both methods. I set up a situation where I can work on the behavior using possitive reinforcement but I will also at other times give a correction if we are out working and have places to go. I've found that this is a combination for us but may not be for others. I think there's nothing wrong with a leash correction but I also think you should take some time and also do some possitve reinforcement to help with the behavior. But it depends on the dog and the person as well. I think some dogs a leash correction is more effective and some possitive reinforcement is more effective. I have found with Wibla that she needs a combination of both methods. She catches on fast with possitive reinforcement and she starts to understand what I'm asking of her but then when has shown me that she has learned this and then does the undesirable behavior I most certainly give leash correction. I do also try a verbal correction first and then if that doesn't get her attention I give a leash correction. But like John I'm a first time handler of about 7 months so I do whamy school taught. But I have begun to change things up depchildrending on my dog's needs.  

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 4, 2015, at 12:28 AM, Nicole Torcolini via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> The only affect that fresh, clean snow will have is making the dog need to
> urinate  more if too much is consumed. If you allow your dog to eat snow,
> you need to make it where she will stop on command because you do not need
> her eating dirty snow that may have chemicals. Given that this was her first
> time and she did not know any better, I would say that you may have been a
> bit harsh. Most dogs absolutely love snow, and, if they grew up where there
> is some but not a lot, then they go absolutely crazy in it. If you can
> tolerate being out in the snow for a while, I would do things to get her
> used to it, such as doing obedience in the snow. You could do something
> where you let her eat it for a minute or so, then, with something more
> tempting than snow, such as a treat, you get her to stop. Praise and reward.
> Also, in terms of corrections, I am not sure what the school taught you, but
> you should really consider a few things before giving a correction:
> 1. Does the dog know better?
> 2. Is there a different way besides a correction to stop something or get
> the dog to do something else?
> 3. Is the situation dangerous?
> 
> HTH,
> Nicole
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of John Sanders via
> nagdu
> Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2015 8:41 PM
> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
> Subject: [nagdu] issue with guide dog eating snow that is fresh
> 
> Hi,
> I have a question:  when I was taking my guide dog outside today, she
> started eating the snow off of the ground.
> I gave her a leash correction.
> It wsa fresh snow.
> She is only a year.
> Should I not allow her to do that?
> Can that make her sick?
> I hope to hear from you soon.
> Sincerely,
> John an the always beutifull, always gorgeous Mollie
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