[NAGDU] Horrible Left Tendency

Tue Aug 27 15:57:19 UTC 2019

Julie,

I have had three dogs, and have had the issue you are describing with two
out of three. For me, it helps to keep in mind my alignment. If I am at all
pointed right, the left tendency increases. For a bit, I have to go back to
basics, try to align myself properly, keep in mind the way I am pulling
back on the harness, etc. This can improve things a bit. I've kept the
leash in my right hand, and give small tugs to the right when my dog is
moving left. This especially helps if you use the gentle leader, or
something that gives you more head control. With the gentle leader, the
tugs should be much less forceful than without it. When yourr dog does move
right, praise lots, and if your dog is motivated by treats, use those too.
Not sure if you guys play clicker games, but that might be an incentive.
Charge the clicker before you go out, then when you do, the dog pulls hard
left, you are able to redirect the pup and move right, praise like crazy,
even if it is just a little right. I've also tried redirection. When dog
pulls hard left, I ask dog to sit, and we work on a bit of obedience for a
few seconds. Once dog has been refocused and I am refocused and hopefully
paying attention to my posture and alignment, hopefully left tendency gets
better.

Finally, tI do not know how severe your left tendency is, and you have to
mind your safety and comfort level. Those things are important. My first
dog started slowing down, and then started leading me out into traffic when
I crossed streets and the paralllel was to my left. At that point, for my
own sanity, it was time to retire. On the other hand, if the pup pulls to
the left, yet he/she is still guiding and not running you into stuff, and
your concern is about image or about walking with people, I've learned in
all my time with dogs that sometimes, we have to let go of some things in
order to enjoy the overall big picture. If your dog's guide work is well,
and the left tendency is not putting you at risk of harm, and your pup is
7, how much do you really want to put effort into fixing it? Not minimizing
your struggle, but I think it's something valid to ask.

Thanks.

On Tue, Aug 27, 2019 at 8:33 AM Julie McGinnity via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> I receive my dogs from Guiding Eyes.  This is the only ongoing issue
> I've had in five years of working with him, and only recently has it
> gotten to the point of disruption and frustration.  I may go to the
> school again and ask for some help.  But I'd also like to hear what
> other handlers have done in situations like this one.  Thanks.
>
> Julie
>
>
> On 8/27/19, Amanda Cape via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > I am just curious as to where you received your dogs from Julie.
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Amanda
> >
> >> On Aug 27, 2019, at 10:59 AM, Julie McGinnity via NAGDU <
> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> This has probably been discussed before, so I apologize for repeated
> >> topics.  But how have you handled a ridiculously pronounced left
> >> tendency your dog continues to display?  My dog, Bill, is 7 years old,
> >> and he has gotten super stubborn lately about sticking to the left
> >> side of everything.  I mean that he will hug walls, keep me on the
> >> left sides of sidewalks to the point where I am hesitating to walk so
> >> close to the edge or to the buildings we're nearly brushing up
> >> against, and he pretty much refuses to redirect towards to the right.
> >>
> >> I know dogs are trained on the left.  I know they prefer the left.  I
> >> have mentioned this to my school, and they don't seem to think it's a
> >> big deal.  But it's creating problems for me as I try to walk with
> >> others.
> >>
> >> I have used his leash to show him where I want him to walk.  I've
> >> corrected for hitting walls and corners with his harness.  I've also
> >> just stopped when he actively shoots to the left as we walk.  When I
> >> let go of the harness, he literally walks to the left.  I have an
> >> offset handle, and it's possible I lean to the right, and he is
> >> reacting to oppose my motion, but I dislike being pulled to the left.
> >> It makes me feel uncomfortable.  He still takes me around obstacles to
> >> the right, so maybe there is hope.
> >>
> >> Any ideas?  I don't use food rewards much, but if it's the best
> >> solution for fixing this, I can break them out again.  Working with my
> >> first dog was a battle much of the time for this and other reasons.  I
> >> absolutely love working this dog.  He is responsive and well-behaved
> >> and teachable, but this challenge is only creating a dividing line
> >> between us.  Thank you in advance.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Julie A. McGinnity
> >> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
> >> Blind Performing Arts Division; First Vice President, National
> >> Federation of the Blind of Missouri
> >>
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>
>
> --
> Julie A. McGinnity
> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
> Blind Performing Arts Division; First Vice President, National
> Federation of the Blind of Missouri
>
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-- 
Best,

Nimer Jaber

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