[nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate

[Margo and Arrow]

My dogs have always interacted with people and other dogs.  The interactions 
are controlled to one degree or another and i have the say-so on how it 
goes, but, the interactions are there.  My dogs have had a lot of human and 
animal best friends and family members.  our cats didn't like my last dog 
and one liked the dog before that but both cats hang out with my present 
dog.  My dogs have always been delighted to see their human friends and to 
make more friends.  As long as they don't break rules, that's fine.

I am strict about allowing people to pet my dogs while they're in harness. I 
very seldom say yes to that, but, out of harness, my dogs play, interact, 
and so on.

Margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JULIE PHILLIPSON" <jbrew48 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate


>I feel sorry for any dog who is so strictly controlled.  I would suspect 
>that his dog is rather cold and rebellious and needs a whole lot of 
>correcting through no fault of its own.  I have never had a problem with 
>any of my dogs interacting with others as long as he is under good control 
>and shows good manors.  I very much believe that when you control a dog to 
>that degree you will have all kinds of behavioral problems, like a little 
>kid acting out.  It is like putting the dog in a pressure cooker situation 
>and eventually there will be an explosion weather it comes out in pour 
>behavior or manifests its self in illness from stress.
> Julie Phillipson
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Chasity Jackson" <chasityvanda at charter.net>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 6:08 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
>
>
>> Hey all,
>>
>> After having a discussion with a friend this afternoon, who is a first 
>> time guide dog owner, I wanted to ask this question, just for curiosity's 
>> sake.
>>
>> How many of you believe that if you let your dog bond with family and 
>> friends, that means that you aren't a good guide dog user and owner? This 
>> person told me that he does not let his family interact with his dog for 
>> more than a few seconds. Now I totally respect everyone's right to be 
>> different, and I respect his right to do that, but then he went so far as 
>> to say that I don't act like I know how to use a guide dog because I said 
>> that I see nothing wrong with family and friends playing with your dog 
>> when they're at your house. Now, I'm not talking about when the dog is in 
>> harness, or if you're out running errands, etc. Of course, I am a 
>> stickler for that, when your dog is working, he or she is working and 
>> should not be bothered. I am talking about if your buddy comes over on 
>> Sunday afternoon to watch football, and wants to sit on the floor and 
>> bond with your dog, or maybe throw a ball, etc. I personally don't see 
>> anything wrong with that after the bonding stages are over, and as
>> long as your dog isn't a brand new dog that is still trying to bond with 
>> you. Not that anyone's responses will change my mind, but I was just 
>> curious to see how many people agree with me and how many agree with him. 
>> Just a topic of discussion here on the list.
>>
>> Chasity
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>
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