[nagdu] Lines in the sand?

[Garry and Joy Relton]

Hi Julie,

I agree with much of what you said except. I dislike strongly when guests at
my house let their dogs off of leash and do not take responsibility for any
of the following: climbing on my furniture when I have asked them
specifically not to allow their dogs on it, grabbing food off of plates or
the table, emptying in my yard with the expectation that "your husband or
son can see it and pick it up". Having said all of that, I don't mind if
dogs are off leash in my home, especially since I have a back yard that is
fenced in and the dogs like to play. Also, any dog will grab food if they
think that they can get away with it, but doing nothing to prevent or curb
it makes no sense to me. AS far as aggressive behavior, it needs to be more
than a growl or a moment of aggressive behavior which is quickly and firmly
stopped. I've never had a dog with the slightest aggressiveness in him or
her but I know of some dogs whose nature is to growl a little to assert
their importance. In my home, when they encounter one another I don't get
too upset about that if it's just a singular warning growl and it is
responded to appropriately by the owner. The lunging, biting and being
outwardly aggressive and out of control will probably earn you an invitation
to leave immediately with your dog, if visiting in my home.
I do not have patience for the aggressive and grabbing food behavior from
pets or my own dog guide. The act itself is not usually as serious as not
doing anything about it.

Ok, I'm climbing down from my soap box now.. I'll take a deep breath and
shut up.

Joy 
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 2:43 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lines in the sand?


This is an excellent question!
Things I absolutely cannot tolerate are continuous barking, growling, 
aggressively lunging, relieving inappropriately and total lack of grooming.

I think dogs are dogs and they are going to have an off day.  I don't have a

problem with a dog who lets out a woof on the rare occasion.   It happens 
and I don't see it as a huge deal if it is only one or two and the handler 
is doing their best to manage the situation.

Aggression, I'm talking about outright readiness to hurt someone is not 
acceptable in a service dog.  I can't think of a situation when it would be 
okay.   I think any dog that exhibits aggression should be immediately 
removed from working as a guide dog.

Relieving inappropriately is another thing that absolutely drives me insane.

I understand that dogs get sick and that is not what I'm talking about.  I'm

meaning dogs that consistently relieve indoors or worse males who mark their

territory while in harness.

Gross neglect of the dogs grooming is totally preventable and in complete 
control of the handler.  There is no reason that a dog with fleas or other 
creepy crawlies should be taken into public.

Oh and one more...I am not very impressed with handlers who let their dogs 
run amuck.   When you're eating at a really nice formal dinner and find an 
escaped  dog begging or helping themselves to food from tables, well, it's 
just not cool.   I think the dog should always be on leash or otherwise 
confined when in a public place.

All JMHO of course
Julie




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