[NAGDU] Softer Dogs?

[Jordan Gallacher]

I have retained mostly the same policy I had with my first dog, Brewer,
which I received from TSE.  That is if the dog needs to be corrected, it
will get corrected.  September was about as soft of a dog as a dog could
get, and while she rarely needed any sort of correction, she still would get
one if needed.  I personally don't care much for the all positive
reinforcement that some of the schools have gone to because I personally
find that it takes longer to get the dog to do whatever it is you are trying
to get her to do.  Thus, I did not use that method at all when doing things
with September.  Belto was trained, and he works well back closer to how
things used to be done.  This dog is too darn smart for his own good,
especially with how he can do any route in reverse just about perfectly the
first time.  The thing with him is that I do have to stay more strict with
him than I even did with Brewer because Belto can be much more curious about
things.
Jordan

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Orozco via
NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 11:35 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Joe Orozco
Subject: [NAGDU] Softer Dogs?

Hello,

The recent thread on obedience got me thinking about the way it feels as
though guide dog schools have grown softer in their approach to correction.

I received Gator from The Seeing Eye in 2004. I trained under Pete Jackson,
a no nonsense instructor who worked very hard at understanding where the
canine was coming from but not cutting any slack where a hard correction was
warranted. High collars, while not eagerly encouraged, were a standard
recommendation.

I went back to TSE in 2015 and received Matthew. The training atmosphere was
noticeably more relaxed where corrections were concerned. If high collars
were mentioned at all, it was probably because I asked about it. It felt as
though there was a greater lean toward clickers and treats.

So, my question: For those of you who have handled dogs for a while, have
you noticed a similar trend, and if so, how have you adjusted your own
handling practices? I sometimes feel mean for running a tight ship with
Matthew, but I feel in some ways as though my first guide dog instruction
set the mood for my discipline philosophy moving forward. I was never one to
be unnecessarily aggressive. It looks publically awkward, and I think such
tactics have diminishing returns.
Yet, I am quick to leash correct for what may otherwise be considered small
infractions. How much of your own philosophy do you retain after bringing
your guide dog home?

Thanks for any ponderings on the subject.

Best,

Joe

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