[nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate

[GARY STEEVES]

Hello Everyone:

This topic comes at a good time for me. I am applying for a guide dog as we speak. My girlfriend has expressed concerns about how things will work with the new guide dog. She is very much a dog person and doesn't want to be left out of the loop when it comes to enjoying a dog in the family.  

My understanding is that when the dog is not in harness it is a pet dog. As long as my girlfriend reinforces  what I am doing with regards to commands and rules everything should be fine (taking into consideration what people have said previously about the dogs personality itself). Is this correct? I want us to be enjoy having a dog in the family as much as I want me to benefit from it's special skills.

Thanks
Gary
 

----- Original Message -----
From: Tamara Smith-Kinney <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 8:57 am
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> Chastity,
> 
> Oh, I totally agree with you.  I think it is much, much 
> better for the dog
> to play and socialize in its off duty time.  And that a 
> happier, more
> mentally healthy dog witll make a better guide.  I was 
> pretty picky about
> how people played with Mitzi whenshe was young, and now I just expect
> general civility -- no teasing or undo rough housing.  But 
> I'm always
> thrilled when she's playing with people.  I have yet to see 
> that it affects
> her bond with me in the slightest.
> 
> Tami Smith-Kinney
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf
> Of Chasity Jackson
> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 3:08 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> 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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