[blparent] Guide Dog and Toddler

Wed Nov 26 14:39:08 UTC 2014

My youngest was so precocious, we found this item called a hand holder, it 
is a wrist strap for both child and parent with a springy coily cord between 
the two, like the coily phone cord, about 2 feet long.  It allows free 
movement of the toddler, but keeps him close by.  You can always reel him in 
when you want him next to you. (smiles)

Judy

-----Original Message----- 
From: Dianna via blparent
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 5:39 AM
To: 'Jennifer Woods' ; 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Guide Dog and Toddler

I can assure you he will be fine and will get used to it.  You will find I
think that it will be easier for him to walk versus ride.  I was so happy to
not use a stroller anymore.  Just hold his hand and if that does not work
they do make the leashes for children.  I personally do not care for them
because I feel my child is a human not a dog just my opinion.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jennifer
Woods via blparent
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 9:28 PM
To: Judy Jones
Cc: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Guide Dog and Toddler

Hi Judy,

Thank you so much!!  I really appreciate your taking the time to answer my
questions and share your tips and experiences with me. I had been told by
the school that many people have guide dogs and toddlers but I wasn't sure
how it would work.

How long did you work with just you and your dog before introducing your
son?

My dog will have the opposite issue depending on which school I go with my
dog will be coming from New York to California.

How many dogs have you had now? Which school is your dog from?

Did they come out and do follow up if you had issues with the dog?

I am so used to using the stroller with my son that I'm not sure how well he
will do when we don't have it with us.

We're going to try going without it tomorrow and see how it goes.

Jenn

On Nov 25, 2014, at 6:57 PM, Judy Jones <jtj1 at cableone.net> wrote:

Hi, Jennifer, and welcome to the list.

Our now-28-year-old was 2 when I got my second guide dog, and our second
daughter was five when I got my third dog.  I believe we started preparing
the younger one for the new dog to come by giving it a name.  Newdog.  We
would talk about Newdog as he/she naturally came up in conversation.

Our two-year-old had been around my former guide dog, so she understood
about dogs to the best of her ability.

My husband was wonderful about baby sitting our daughter when I first came
home with my dog Fila.  This allowed me time to acquaint Fila with our
neighborhood, the shopping area we would walk to, and the home environment
in general.  Fila was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, so also had to get used to
two feet of snow on the ground.  She did very well, but a lot of
strangenesses for her.

I've had four dogs now, and no matter how confident they get at the training
school, and no matter how on top of things they are then, you get them home,
and for a couple of days, they can be space cases.  You have to remember
that they are plunked into the middle of a totally foreign environment. new
food, new water, totally strange surroundings, smells, sounds, people, a lot
for a young pup to take in and still be expected to perform.  The newness
wears off quickly enough, but you must help the dog adapt, and ask for some
baby sitting help with your son at first until you can acclimate the dog and
gradually work the toddler into the mix.

As your dog gets used to your pace, they are very willing to slow down for a
toddler.  If you let the school know you have a toddler, they will keep in
mind the kind of dog that can deal with a lot of flexibility.

The dog can sense when you can stride right out when you are by yourselves,
and when they need to poke along with a toddler.  That's a good time when
you can praise the dog for meeting your slowed-down needs when walking, plus
teaching the little one is good to give a dog positive reinforcement.  You
have to be careful though that puppy doesn't use the time to develop
sniffing habbits.

I would say the most important thing is confidently handling your dog first,
then adding Toddler to the mix.  The dog is acting as guide for the two of
you, and if you have control of Puppy, that will leave your energies for
Toddler.

Judy

-----Original Message----- From: Jennifer Maybury via blparent
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:13 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] Guide Dog and Toddler

Hi everyone,

I am new to the group. My name is Jennifer I'm a single mom of a very active
2 1/2 year old little boy.

I'm in the process of getting a guide dog I'm wondering if those of you who
have a guide dog and a toddler can please give me some tips and tricks on
how you adjusted to having a guide dog and what you did to help your child
adjust to the dog?

What do you do as far as when you walk with your Guide Dog and your toddler
when it comes to pace? Jennifer When I walk with my son using my cane I
always have him wear a backpack that straps around his chest and has a strap
I hold onto. He also holds my hand when we're near a street or parking lot.
Sometimes he's better than other times. Smile i plan to continue that with
the Guide Dog but am not sure how the dog will do with 2 different paces?

I have also been using an umbrella stroller at times but it's hard to push
with my cane and  I can pull it backwards and go in a straight path. I'm
trying to not use the umbrella stroller and have him walk as much as
possible because riding the bus I don't have enough hands to hold the folded
up stroller, my son and use my cane. The bus drivers are not always very
good about letting me fold up the stroller after I get my son seated they
want it folded up first and I don't want to leave him by himself.

Thank you in advance.

Jenn

Sent from my iPhone

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