(VICT) Re: Off-leash?
- From: Sheila Styron <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:43:30 -0500
Ann, I can certainly understand your concern about ever letting guide
animals off leash in an area that isn't safe, and I share these
concerns. However, there are some benefits. Whether in an enclosed or
unfenced area, the muscles need to be exercised off leash to achieve the
sorts of benefits speed, tight turns and stopping and starting can
provide. I also feel that the value of obedience and exercise off leash
without fences accustoms the animal to being in a situation when if you
have to call them, they will be more likely to come. My cat is an indoor
outdoor cat who comes when called fairly reliably for a cat. I have even
heard cats making those fighting meows and called him away from danger.
I am in no way telling anyone to drop their precious animal's leash
where there are no fences, but by allowing my dog to experience herself
in a relationship with me without a leash compelling her to stay with
me, I personally feel better prepared for that one time when I may need
to call her and she will come instead of bolt. BTW, GDB also reads a
similar letter during training, and I do believe this is a very
appropriate message to get across during class. I know I practiced
dangerous activities with my first two guides neither of whom had
dependable recalls. My last three do stick close, and when I unhook a
leash in an open space, I remain ever vigilant and practice frequent
recalls. I don't leave my current three dogs unsupervised to play in my
fenced yard, as they can get in to trouble out there as well. A pretty
good sized hole can be dug in less than sixty seconds and the nasty
things that can go into mouths....
Sheila Styron, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
816-363-3172
sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ann Edie
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 2:50 AM
To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: (VICT) Re: Off-leash?
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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