(VICT) Re: Off-leash?
- From: "Ann Edie" <annedie@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:49:46 -0400
Hi, Sandy,
Sandy, I'm completely with you on the issue of off-leash play for guide
dogs--train for off-leash obedience for the few accidental situations when
it will be absolutely essential, but don't turn the dog loose for play or
exercise except in known, safe, enclosed places.
Back in the dark ages when I went to TSE for my first guide dog, as part of
our training they read us a letter from Peter Putnam to the school. In the
letter, Mr. Putnam describes how his guide dog, a black German shepherd, was
struck by a car and killed in her prime, because he let her go out to
relieve off leash. He was visiting his parents' home in a rural area where
the road had little traffic at any time, and this was late at night when
there were virtually no cars on the road at all. He also said that his dog
always stayed close to him even when off leash. But for some reason, on
that particular night, the dog suddenly darted across the road, and just at
that same moment a car came driving down the road. The driver could not see
the black dog in the dark of night, and so there was no way to prevent the
tragic loss of his dog. Mr. Putnam was devastated by the death of his dog,
and on top of that he bore the burden of guilt for his neglegence and for
squandering the large investment of time, effort, and money which had gone
into the dog's breeding, raising, and training.
This letter was included in the instruction given to all Seeing Eye classes
in order to impress upon us the need to keep our dogs under control and on
leash at all times and to remind us that even an instant of lapse of
protocol can result in irreparable harm. I don't know if TSE still includes
this letter among its required instructional materials, but I know that I,
for one, still recall Mr. Putnam's letter whenever I am tempted to take
chances with the safety of my guides, even though they are not Seeing Eye
dogs.
Even with maximum attention to safety, proper training, and protocol, we
cannot prevent all accidents and tragedies. But letting my valuable and
beloved guides run in unfenced areas off leash is a risk I have not been
willing to take simply to give the dog a chance to exercise or play with
other dogs. I find many opportunities to allow the dog to play and relax in
safe, enclosed places, and I think guide work provides plenty of physical
exercise for the dog.
I agree with others who have said that pet owners sometimes have different
ideas about what a dog needs and what is natural for dogs. But that doesn't
mean that I need to cave in to their opinions. I will try to give my guides
all the exercise, opportunity for social interaction, stress relief,
companionship, and whatever else the animal needs, to maintain its emotional
as well as physical and mental health and well being. But I will not take
unnecessary risks with the guide's safety, any more than I would take
needless risks with my own safety.
I do see the great value in doing obedience work off leash, first in
enclosed spaces, and only gradually in places with more exposure and more
distractions, and then perhaps using a light long line as an additional
safety measure as well as a training tool. I practice recalls in many
locations, not just during formal obedience exercises, but also just from
time to time when I don't even need the animal to do anything for me. I
just call him/her, and when he/she comes to me, I click and treat and make a
big, happy fuss, then release the guide. In this way, I hope to build a
very strong reinforcement history for that rare moment when the animal gets
loose accidentally or I drop my leash.
As a matter of fact, with Panda I have been putting in place another small
insurance policy, that is, I have been reinforcing her for picking up her
leash when I drop it and handing it back to me. I'm hoping that if I ever
do drop her leash inadvertently when we're out and about, that she will be
so accustomed to picking the leash up and handing it to me that she will
pause long enough to do this even in very distracting circumstances, and
that this pause will give me time to regain control of her, with her help,
no less!
Best to all.
Ann
----- Original Message -----
From: <Infinitepaws@xxxxxxx>
To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2007 6:34 PM
Subject: (VICT) Re: Off-leash?
> Ok, I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest! The reason I asked was due
> to
> a client commenting that she thought it sad and unfair that I did not let
> Alex
> off leash in a public place. I have also heard of guide dog users who
> routinely do this.This is a park that isnt fenced and is surrounded by
> fairly busy
> streets, There is a pond and dogs are allowed off leash to play and to
> swim
> in the pond. For those who know Denver , it is Wash Park. I explained
> that
> Alex is too valuable to me as a guide and as my dog, to risk it. Yes, she
> has a
> awesome recall and yes she can even be recalled off of really interesting
> stuff. But, as I pointed out, it only takes one mistake and one second
> for her
> to get hurt or killed. I dont know the dogs that are there and it isnt
> fenced.
> I pointed this out to her and highly advised her to not do it. In
> addition,
> all I would need now is a dogfight after last week, to really wreck
> things..
> sigh..
>
> There are a lot of folks who wonder why I work on off-leash obedience , if
> I
> dont intend to have her off leash.. Because, there will always be that one
> time when you need it..when she slips out of a gate, when she is attacked
> and I
> drop her leash, when I drop her leash if i trip and fall. I do work in
> different folks fenced yards and with her dragging a longline alot.. and
> I hope to
> god I never need it.
>
> Sandy Foushee
> Infinite Paws-Abilities Training and Service Dogs
> Teamed with Alexandra Guide/Service Dog
> Colorado Service/Assistance Dog Club - Trainer.-
>
>
> ************************************** See what's new at
> http://www.aol.com
>
>
>
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