I'm frustrated - Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!

[Thomas, Chari, & Lady Belle]

No, that's not Belle growling, it's me.  My last blog post asked for help deciding where to go next.  Your responses were very helpful.  Thank you!!!

Meanwhile, classes are filling up.  So as I indicated earlier, I obtained permission to place Belle in an Agility class.  One spot was available so I took it.  After your responses I had decided to pull her out, for now!  But before I had a chance to withdraw her, I got this email.

"Our senior agility trainer agrees that we can't use scent markers during class. It would be too distracting for the other dogs. Chelse also teaches scent tracking classes, and feels that the food lures and the other dogs' scents will be enough for Belle to have a good, safe time in agility class.

If you would still like to sign up let me know ASAP, as we have other people interested in joining the class."

In plain words they aren't willing to modify their teaching methods for a blind dog.  I have a trainer that has never trained a blind dog giving an opinion that Belle would be safe in an Agility class with no scent markers other than the dogs that had preceeded her and a treat trail.

I've done my research and supplied them with links on how other Agility trainers are using trail scent markets and there appears to be no issue with confusing other dogs.  Moving on ... now that I've finished my rant.

I am reluctant to enroll her in obediance 1 or 2 as you can't use hand signals with a blind dog and you shouldn't use the word "down" as in "lay down" because it is already imbedded in an absolutely essential command for a blind dog, "step down".  She knows that command and I don't want to confuse her.

So am I likely to find that the majority of dog trainers take the attitude "My way or the highway."

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

RE: Word Commands

As for the language and word commands, my classmates all used German.  I think you could use any word you want for a command as long as that is the Word/Command is used consistently. 

Agility

You know my thoughts about Belle and agility but if you think, and you know your dog, she would like then Thomas, many members have made their own agility course.  Many have them in their backyards. Watch some Youtube videos and see if you think you might be able to make a fun playground for her in your yard.

[Lisa and Tucker]

Maybe you could do private obedience? Maybe then a trainer would be more willing to listen to you and get to know your dog and her needs? And maybe substitute another word for laying down like Joann said like "lay".

I am thinking you might have more leeway with a trainer doing obedience training privately, but I don't really have that much knowledge :(

[Thomas, Chari, & Lady Belle]

Joanne,

I get the use "whatever word you want" thing.  Belle already knows how to lay down.  I use the command "lay" and tap the floor.  She has also learned "Step Up" and "Step down" and knew "Sit" when she came three weeks ago.  She responds to "come" when there are no distractions but we need to work on off-leash "come" with distractions.

I also need to teach her the commands to calm down when she meets strangers (dogs and people).  She is more than capable of leaping two feet off the ground vertically when she is excited.  At that height she is close to eye level with me.  ;-o 

My concern is the willingness of trainers to adapt their teaching methods to a blind dog.  I'm not sure I want to pay for private lessons if I need to train the trainer how to train my dog.  I might as well train her myself which has gone very well the first three weeks.  We have accomplished a lot but we have a way to go.  I was hoping a class would provide for some socialization and a setting where she becomes used to obeying commands when there are distractions.  Meanwhile, I'm learning from a quality instructor.  I've owned 5 dogs and never took one to an obediance class.  Somehow we muddled through things together.

I get more concerned if we move past obediance to scent training or agility as in those areas I don't have any experience.  But it is very important to me that she be safe, which isn't going to happen unless the instructor is willing to adapt methods to her disability.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thomas, dont give up.

A few years ago, my beautiful doodle Starlit and I needed some special training,  We were not the ordinary and needed a lot of fine tuning. I was willing but trainers were not, or they had ideas that were too streamlined for the ordinary dog, which she was not.

I interviewed many trainers. I interviewed them as if I were hiring them for a job 

You will, find the right trainer.  I did.  There is a lot that goes into finding the right trainer.  Anyone can claim to be one.  Find one with a lot of initials after their name.  Find one that has taken dogs to trials and titled.  

My thoughts are that you reach out to Adina ( site administrator her on Doodle Kisses) for some ideas for your special situation.

In the beginning, no one would take my sick dog, or their ideas were just off the wall.  

We ended up in a program that was beyond my wildest dreams. She was so well trained.  The best trained ( untrainable dog) I ever had.  

So, you will find one.  Just hold on for a bit. Be patient. Do more research,  Do some research on what a trainer really is, what are titles, etc.   Anyone can get an internet degree  :)    

Look for those who have trained dogs who have placed-titles.  Let me try to look but I am on my phone right now on this tiny screen.

We have an article around here somewhere on what to look for.  There is a place for you and Belle with a good trainer and you will find that special place

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is the method we used. It is a sport/training. It is not for everyone, but I found many qualified trainers and behaviorist in this field.   We were with with police dogs, search and rescue, and scent dogs in training.  Believe me, we were never going to accomplish what these dogs and trainers were capable of as she was sickly, but when you soar with Eagles, sometimes you soar too.

We were mainstreamed rigfh along with them. So, on the field we were with maybe 5-7 trainers and their police dogs at one time, which were also being mainstreamed.

It worked for us.  It is only one suggestion.

Do you have Schutzhund  in your area? Look for one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schutzhund

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I did a search for Schutzhund Clubs in your state.   Again, do a better one because I am on my phone but here is one result  

 http://gsdsite.com/category-21-52/wisconsin/german-shepherd-schutzh...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Are you close to this Club?  http://ogbierstadt.blogspot.com/

Anyway, call these folks and network off of them.  See what direction some of these clubs can take you. 

Interview like her life depends on this training. You will find your niche 

[Thomas, Chari, & Lady Belle]

Joanne,

Thanks for all the helpful resources.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I hear your frustration.  Probably obedience would be more appropriate for her (and for you to learn about teaching a blind dog).  I enrolled my ALD in agility classes for a few months and it was quite difficult.  He could have made it in the class, but I failed "dog agility".  It was too much for me.  So take it slowly and it will be a good experience for both of you.  I can see where scent markers would be a distraction.  You will have to do as much adjusting as Belle does to a new type of learning.  Another possibility would be to set up some private classes.  Group lessons are just too distracting for you, her, and the other participants. 

[Stella]

Oh, if only you were in Canada!! I know the perfect person! My friend is a vet tech, who has a blind dog of her own. She trains and competes with her sighted dog for agility, rally, scent detection and tracking. Her blind dog does rally, scent detection and tracking. She also teaches puppy classes, manners classes, focus classes (based on Control Unleashed), and Rally classes. This is the kind of person you need to find!! I would seriously try to find a trainer who has / had a blind dog of their own, who isn't so stuffy that they will insist on traditional 'obedience commands', and who successfully competes in some kind of dog sport. Keep searching, the right trainer is out there somewhere!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Skype?  :)

[Stella]

Huh, I could asks her if she would be interested??