(VICT) Re: Serious issue with Gretch
- From: Sheila Styron <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 19:46:09 -0500
Yes, I have had a lot of experience with the softies that turn out to be
really good guides for me. I think I'm enough of a realist to admit when
it's time to give up, but I don't yet feel anywhere near that point with
Gretch.
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 DIANNE B.
PHELPS AND PRIMROSE
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 3:00 PM
To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: (VICT) Re: Serious issue with Gretch
Sheila,
I have only had one experience with a dog like you describe, but
somehow,
she was able to gain her confidence and became my best guide in so many
ways. Jalisa was kind of the shrinking violet type, and I had to have
help
shortly after we got her home because she did the melt-down thing, but
wew
managed to work her through it, just as you have tried to do with your
little one. I really can't make any other suggestions other than
obtaining
some assistance from Graduate Services to see what techniques they might
offer for the situation.
I do remember, however, that several of my dogs have had reactions to
windy
days in that things blowing around, bushes and trees blowing and the
like
seemed to make them a little more edgy than usual.
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through such a situation but
know,
of all people, if there is a way to make things work, you are certainly
the
knowledgeable one who will manage it. I think, at this point, however, a
little added assistance and evaluation is in order.
I wish I had more suggestions for you, but it seems to me that you are
already doing what you can to optimize the situation, and maybe, Gretch
just
really can't continue.
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and wishes that the
best
situation can be worked out for you and for your sweet little companion.
Dianne and Primrose
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sheila Styron" <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:26 PM
Subject: (VICT) Serious issue with Gretch
> Hello, all
> I have a program trained dog who is a real softie. Her name is Gretch,
> and she was three in April and became my partner a little before she
> was two. I request dogs who require much more encouragement than
> correction, because I had enough of that in my youth. While still in
> class, I remember one of my instructors saying that she would never
> have had the patience to work with a dog like Gretch. The reason why I
> do is because I like a dog whose leash you can drop and be sure they
> will stay put. I also like a dog who comes when called and who you can
> trust to be looking out for your best interests not the next
> adventure. Gretch is the third dog I have worked who fits this general
> description, and I have watched all these girls start out not at all
> sure if they could be or even wanted to be guides and blossom in to
> the most agreeable and dependable ones. I love all dogs, but this
> formula has worked out well in the past for me. Well, Gretch had some
> melt downs during the first 3/4 months of our partnership, but until
> today, she has been steadily improving in confidence, while of course
> still remaining a very good girl around the house, off leash, etc.
> Then today, she had a total melt down. It was hot, humid and windy,
> and I remember another melt down day when there was a lot of hot wind
> during our tentative early times together. Whether out of fear or
> resistance, Gretch absolutely did not want to guide me across busy
> streets with which we were totally familiar and where she hasn't
> balked or had any serious problems since the early days. Last year,
> when she was uncertain she wanted to be a guide dog, she developed a
> serious bowing to the left tendency that I got under control for the
> most part. Today, she planted her feet refusing to cross these
> streets, and then when I compelled her to cross after all else had
> failed with a mild to medium leash correction, she bowed strenuously
> out in to traffic, which I believe to be an effort to get away from
> the handler and the stress of the situation. Here I was out without a
> cane, carrying a 20 pound bag of potting soil with a dog who did not
> want to work. My happiest voice meant nothing to Gretch, and she
> wasn't at all interested in her clicker or her treats. So I corrected
> her forward with the leash at these corners, as nothing else was
> working. The medium to light correction got her moving out, but as I
> have already mentioned, she bowed in terror, but still managing to end
> up on the right corner. I didn't want to correct her, but I was
> desperate! I have already mentioned the heat and the wind, and here
> are two other things that scared her and probably can be factored in
> to the reasons for Gretch's meltdown. In July, the tip of her tail was
> nicked by a bathroom door that closed behind us on our way out, and I
> have noticed Gretch shying from doors we have passed through ever
> since. I am not a clumsy person and have been extremely careful and
> ultra aware around doors since the July incident, but she has still
> not become desensitized to them. Then, the clincher, almost two weeks
> ago, we were nearly backed in to by a delivery truck in our very own
> driveway the driver of which didn't see us coming up behind him. The
> truck was idling so quietly , that I didn't hear it myself until we
> were almost upon it. I vaguely remember Gretch being cautious, but I
> wasn't thinking about too much walking up my long driveway except what
> I was going to scarf down for lunch after working out. We came up
> behind the truck, and I let go of the harness to get the gate. This
> huge truck was so close I put my left hand on the back corner, and
> unbelievably, I felt it slowly start to back up. I yelled at the
> driver, and Gretch jumped out of the way. I was alongside and there
> was enough room between the truck and the wall that we were okay. The
> guy jumped out, admitting he hadn't seen us and inquiring if we were
> all right. I apologized for yelling and told him we were fine but that
> this experience had of course been pretty scary. As I opened the gate
> to let Gretch in, she was extremely skittish moving through, but
> because this happened in my driveway, I didn't think much more about
> it. In all the routes we've taken since, I can only now think of one
> street crossing where Gretch did something that was a little
> suspicious until today. Today was the first time we have traveled
> through this particular busy intersection since the truck incident in
> our driveway, and we had to go through this intersection four times,
> twice this morning and twice this evening. Last year when Gretch was a
> brand new baby guide dog, I tried all sorts of training and
> positioning techniques suggested by guide dog instructors as well as
> other experienced handlers to get Gretch to stop the bowing behavior
> which is a common tendency among some dogs lacking in confidence. What
> finally worked was to jolly her along and just make it all more fun.
> But today, she exhibited absolute terror in my opinion, and I feel
> that our situation is much more serious than it was then. I didn't get
> school follow up last year, because I felt I could handle it on my
> own, and fortunately, Gretch and I lucked out. I am going to request
> follow up this time around and quickly. I was really proud of myself
> today in one sense, because even though Poor Gretch did a terribly
> unsafe job getting me across busy streets, I didn't fall apart and
> managed to praise her sincerely nonetheless. Any of your thoughts on
> handling our situation with positive training techniques would be most
> welcome.
>
>
> Sheila Styron, President
> Guide Dog Users, Inc.
> 816-363-3172
> sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
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