[nabs-l] Over Night College Visit

Sun Nov 10 21:01:30 UTC 2013

I'm going to respond to this, but I believe this yet again is a case of 
someone with no training with a guide spouting off. If you have 
suggestions, it helps, but lots of random conclusions don't help.

 >1. the dog  is very excited around new people. Keep in mind you are 
meeting all new very important people.
And she will continue to meet good people. It isn't uncommon for dogs to 
get excited around new people, and this won't go away for a while. It's 
something Lizzy as the handler has to deal with. most people don't mind, 
and usually you can just get your guide to sit and life is good.

 >2. Her behavior is unpredictable. I believe a dog would be a 
distraction in such a situation when visiting a class.
how so? While she might be sniffy and excited, the guide will settle 
easily in a class. It's also a really good idea to get her used to doing it!

 >3. The dog is sniffy in new environments and it interferes with her work.
Dogs are always sniffy, no matter what. It's something you get used to 
and deal with.

 >4. You might offend people with the dog's untrained behavior.
If someone gets offended because I have a dog, they can always feel free 
to leave. I personally could not care less, and neither should anyone 
else. If your dog is calm, well behaved and obediant, there is no 
problem what so ever. Lizzy will continue to meet new important people 
all the time, and stashing her guide at home and letting someone else 
handle the responsibility of taking care of the guide is probably not 
the best way to go. These important presidents she will be meeting will 
not need to come in contact with the dog, and thus they won't get any of 
that pesky dangerous fur on their clothing! Also, most dogs are trained 
to lie down while the handler eats, so the dog won't be up in someone's 
business sniffing at their food, either. It will also not be all that 
hard to find a patch of grass and a trashcan. I've been to at least 
three different colleges and they're pretty easy to locate. There will 
be someone running the orientation or even a group leader, who lizzy 
could ask for help finding a spot. Similarly, she could just ask her 
parents when they drop her off, if they do or if there is a chance.

On 11/10/2013 3:53 PM, Ashley Bramlett wrote:
> Lizzy,
>
> I agree with Joshua. I'm a cane user btw.
> You seem unsure of handling your new dog in a new environment.
> I would leave your dog at home and let your family care for him or her.
> It’s a brief time so it should not mess up
> any working time you have.
>
> I think it will be less stressful and easier for you to navigate the 
> campus with just your cane. You can have more tactile contact with 
> surfaces then. You'd also have to plan to take your dog out to relieve 
> him or herself and you don't know where that is.
>
> I would also be concerned about what  you said regarding the dog's 
> behavior. Remember you want to present a good professional appearance. 
> Points are that:
> 1. the dog  is very excited around new people. Keep in mind you are 
> meeting all new very important people.
> 2. Her behavior is unpredictable. I believe a dog would be a 
> distraction in such a situation when visiting a class.
> 3. The dog is sniffy in new environments and it interferes with her work.
> 4. You might offend people with the dog's untrained behavior.
>
> I have to say that I've seen new guide dogs act like you describe and 
> it bothers me. I want to enjoy myself especially if I'm at a 
> restaurant. But when I have dogs sniffing or licking me, its 
> offensive. I do not! want to have dog saliva  on me when food is 
> around. I do not want it on me if I cannot wash my hands. I do not 
> want dogs rubbing against me because it can get dog hair on my slacks 
> when I'm out and the dog hair shows.
> Now, do I like dogs? Yes, yes. I like dogs to play with in the yard or 
> at a house when I'm dressed down. But when I'm dressed in slacks and a 
> nice blouse, the last thing I want if a sniffy dog at my side or a dog 
> licking me.
>
> There are plenty other times to work with and train your dog without 
> going to the campus with her at this time.
> I think you two need to work together more and you have a chance to 
> train and correct her so she exhibits more of a guide dog behavior.
> So, I'd keep the dog home. You can always revisit
> campus with your dog if you decide to go there.
>
> Speaking from experience, I find it offensive when guide dogs lick me. 
> Now, if they are off harness its fine; they are just a dog then and 
> not working. But when in the harness, I expect them not to bother me.
>
> Finally, if you choose to take your pooch, tell the campus. You should 
> be in a room with someone who isn't alergic to dogs.
>
> Ashley
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: lizzy
> Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 10:44 AM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nabs-l] Over Night College Visit
>
> Hi All,
> I usually just read the outstanding advice given on this list,
> but now I am in need of some help.  I am currently a senior in
> high school going not for my first college visit, but to my first
> over night visit and it is at my number one choice school.  To
> all of the guide dog users, I've had my lab for about three and a
> half months now but I'm still undecided about if it would be fair
> and easier to take her with me on this trip.  My reasons are that
> I don't know the campus and so she would probably be doing a lot
> of following (which I know everyone has their own opinions
> about).  I've taught her things using the cane but it has usually
> been pretty simple (a specific doorway, bus stop etc) so I'm not
> sure if it'll work for this or not (since I'll be all over
> campus).  Also, her behavior is slightly unpredictable (typically
> she is very excited around new people and she is very sniffy in
> new places which interferes with her work and doesn't make her
> look like a trained dog).  I will be sitting in on a class, doing
> an interview, meeting with the department chair and rooming with
> a current student and I'm afraid she might offend someone who
> doesn't like dogs or vice versa someone may see me give a
> correction and be upset by it.  I haven't requested any
> accommodations because I don't really think I'll need any since
> I'll be there for less than twenty-four hours.  But is there
> anything I'm forgetting? Should I tell them ahead of time about
> the dog (if I decide to take her)? Any tips you all could give
> would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Lizzy
>
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-- 
Take care,
Ty
http://tds-solutions.net
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave.