Addressing Guidework Errors

Like people, dogs make mistakes. 
Like people, dogs learn from their mistakes. 

Guidework involves teamwork. Errors will happen, especially while a new team develops. This is not a reflection on you or your dog but rather an opportunity to become a better team. Sometimes an error will be the dog’s mistake, other times it will be the handler’s, and every so often the responsibility is shared. And of course, sometimes mishaps are no one’s fault and occur by accident. In order for a dog and person to learn and build confidence, they must have an opportunity to fix a mistake. Providing your dog an opportunity to respond correctly, allows you to reward for that correct response. Rewarded behaviors are more likely to be repeated. We call this process “reworking an error.” 

Dogs are social creatures that thrive on routine, patterns and clear expectations. They want to be involved with us and generally aim to please. Because guide dogs have been raised with loving, focused and purposeful direction, they are especially people-oriented and willing partners. In order to provide a guide dog with clear feedback, we need to let the dog know when his behaviors are desirable or undesirable. If the handler does not address an error, the dog will assume that the error is acceptable and is likely to repeat it. Further, if the handler does not allow the dog to re-work a situation successfully and earn praise and reward, the dog may lose confidence in its ability and become less effective as a guide.  

It is normal in any new team that errors happen. Errors are part of the learning process, and are opportunities to improve your communication and efficacy as a team. 

Common Guidework Errors
* Overstepping a curb, stair, or narrow doorway
* Contacting an object (to the side or overhead), another person, or a sidewalk edge
* Going off the desired travel line, such as in a street crossing 

For all types of errors, an immediate stop is crucial to clearly communicate to the dog that an error was made. Dogs live in the moment and therefore need to be told the moment an error is made. Time is of the essence. Your dog has been trained to understand that if you stop abruptly without saying, “halt”, something is wrong. 

Location, Object or Pedestrian Errors
Whether the dog needs to show you something or clear you of it, the technique remains the same.

Step 1 - Immediate Response
* Immediate handler reaction is critical. Stop!
* It is important to act quickly when your dog makes an error by immediately stopping, perhaps including a verbal reaction such as ‘no’. If needed, a leash correction is given in a backwards direction.
* Your demeanor and leash use should match the severity of the error. 

Step 2 – Re-Position the Dog
* If you made a full stop and your dog is just one step past the error, you may help her step back with a pressure/release action straight backwards in the harness. In order to maintain orientation, remain facing in your original line of travel (do not turn around). 
* If your dog is more than one step beyond the error, set the harness handle down, remain facing the original line of travel, and back up the few steps to the desired spot using the command "heel". 
 
Step 3 – Point out the Error
* You and your dog are now next to the location, object or pedestrian, and facing the original direction of travel. Have your dog sit. Bring your dog’s attention to the object with your hand (or foot, in the case of a sidewalk edge or flat curb) to place emphasis on the error. Touch the object with your hand or tap with your foot while using a quiet yet calm, confident tone to say “careful”.  
* Since oftentimes you will want your dog ultimately to show you what you are now pointing out, be careful to avoid any negativity. Do not scold, yell or act angry. Any sign of your displeasure should have occurred at the instant of the error. 
* Often a pedestrian is gone by the time you attempt to re-work. Even if you happen to have a cooperative pedestrian, it still may not be appropriate to point to or touch them during the re-work. Instead, clap the outside of your right leg while saying “careful”.

Step 4 - Re-work the Error
* Take 3 to 4 steps straight back and call your dog to “heel” position. 
* With your dog in the proper position, pick up the harness handle and command "forward". 
* Depending on the situation, your dog should either clear the obstacle or stop to show it to you if this is more appropriate (e.g. a door jamb, stair, overhead or any other unavoidable obstacle). Remember to praise and reward your dog for responding properly. Praise and food reward tell the dog that he has responded correctly and motivates him to do it again.
* Avoid the common tendency to ‘help’ your dog by crouching down, leaning away from the obstacle, or otherwise adjusting your position. This is counterproductive.

There are special considerations when re-working curbs.

Down Curb Re-Works

* The suddenness of your stop when your dog is passing over a down curb will alert him to the mistake and be a critical teaching opportunity. If the curb is at your heels, it is acceptable for you and your dog to move backwards a bit as you maintain your orientation. Be sure that your dog is at a full stop. Don’t simply restrain a dog that is straining against the harness.

 
Two Options for Re-working a Down Curb:  
* If you think you are accurately aligned for a street crossing, backing up a few steps may work just fine. However, it can be risky to back up and re-approach a down curb. Because the corner area is very open, it is easy to face a new approach incorrectly. Consequently, if the new approach is askew, you may now be set up for a poor street entry and crossing. Listen closely to traffic cues and utilize your O&M skills to assess your alignment as best you can. 
* If you are still uncomfortable with your line and/or orientation, re-approaching the entire corner may be warranted. If so, set the harness handle down and "heel" your dog in a right about-turn. Pick up the harness handle and work your dog back down the block a minimum of 15 paces. This distance will give you and your dog a chance to pick up a normal pace and line. After these 15 paces, "halt", set the handle down and "heel" your dog in a right about-turn. Assume your guidework stance, pick up the handle and work toward the down curb again. At the curb, assess the result, praise and reward your dog, and proceed with the street crossing. Depending on the circumstances of the error and your abilities as a team, you may prefer one option over the other. You will have the opportunity to cover this with your instructor. 
 
Up Curb Re-Works
* It is not safe to re-work an up curb because you would be backing into the street. If the error happens, simply stand in place for a moment to emphasize the correct position. When approaching your next up-curb, be very aware of your dog’s actions. An extra-abrupt stop is called for if your dog begins to run that curb too. 
* Offering a food reward at the up curb checks will strengthen your dog’s desire to stop there.
* Do not re-work an entire crossing if your dog runs an up curb. It won’t make sense to the dog.

This concludes the section on Location, Object and Pedestrian Clearance errors.

Street Crossing Errors
The curb approach, position at the down curb and street entry all influence your street crossing. If you suspect that your down curb approach resulted in unsatisfactory alignment, you should consider re-working the approach itself. As just discussed in “Down Curb Re-Works”, you have the option to do an about-turn and work your dog back down the block as you pick up normal pace and line. "Halt", turn around, and work toward the original down curb. At the curb assess the result, praise your dog, and proceed with the street crossing. 

Pace, line and traffic checks affect the crossing as well. The most common error during a street crossing involves line deviation. 

Step 1- Immediate response
* If your dog goes off line, stop and hold your position momentarily. 
* The break in momentum tells your dog he is wrong, and will enable him to re-direct more easily.
Step 2 - Regain your line of travel
* After stopping your dog, give the "curb" command. 
* Wait for your dog to move in the anticipated correct direction before moving. If you felt your dog veer to the right, expect your dog to move to the left to pick up the original line to the up curb. If you felt your dog veer to the left, allow your dog room to move in front of your body, to the right and towards the up curb.
* Once you reach the up curb, praise your dog despite how you may feel about the crossing. To avoid reluctance to approach an up curb, keep the up curb a positive place for your dog. 

NOTE: Because the Instructor can give you clear information, you may be instructed to give a gesture or even use your leash in the street. When working independently, however, it is risky to use your leash during street crossings. Using your leash in the street may result in your dog focusing more on you rather than traffic. 

Step 3 - Rework the Crossing
* Decide whether or not to re-work the crossing. Any crossing that had a significant error in it should be redone. Re-working is an opportunity to improve your dog’s responses and is worth the time and effort.  
* To re-work a crossing, you need to get back to your original curb approach (the curb you departed from to cross the street). In order to do so, you will need to cross back over the street you just crossed. After completing the poor crossing, work "forward" down the block at least 15 to 20 paces and “halt” your dog and “heel” in a right about turn. This will help you and your dog re-orient to your correct line of travel. (This is one of same techniques you use when reworking a down curb approach.) 
* To re-approach the crossing, pick up your handle and command "forward" to the down curb.
* Praise at the down curb, read traffic, and cross back over the street to the original side.  
* After rewarding at the up curb, give the "forward" command and continue those 15 -20 paces down the block. "Halt" after the 15-20 paces, "heel" your dog in a right about turn, pick up your handle and command "forward".  
* At this point you are NOW re-approaching your original curb approach, which will line you up for re-working the actual crossing that was incorrect. Be attentive to your line during the down curb approach. Praise at the down curb.
* As you command "forward" to re-cross, be very attentive to your dog’s movements. It is possible your dog may try to repeat the same error and you want to be prepared to stop quickly if he does. It is important though, not to expect your dog to repeat the error, just be attentive in case he does.
* When your dog stops at the up curb properly, praise enthusiastically and give a food reward. Then move into a 'halt' position on the sidewalk to give your dog an abundance of physical and verbal praise. As stated earlier, both praise and food reward tells the dog that he has done the right thing and motivates him to repeat that desired response.

Taking the time to re-work errors and praising and rewarding for a good response is well worth the investment. Your dog will become a more accurate, efficient worker because he or she has received consistent feedback from you and has had the opportunity to fix mistakes. 

4/3/2006	8	                                                                              Addressing Guidework Errors
Copyright 2007 / All Rights Reserved / Guide Dogs for the Blind