[nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate

Tue Sep 15 18:52:38 UTC 2009

Hi Gary and Julie,

Gary, a lot of what Julie said is the way that I experienced it. My dog was
a major part of my life before I met my husband so we came as a package. He
still laughs when he tells how Zenith would come up and stick himself
between us if we sat on the couch. Julie is right, especially at first, you
should be the primary person to care for groom, feed, walk and so on the
dog. That of course doesn't mean that your girl friend should not  have any
part to play in the dog's life. The tape, letter and instruction from the
Seeing Eye is very much on target with respect to how to interact with the
dog. That is, be calm and take it easy. It's funny that Julie found the her
first one harder. My third dog was the hardest, partly because he wasn't as
lovey  dovey as the others, and partly because my retired dog was still at
home and I hadn't had the full grieving. In large part, though it was just
getting to know that dog as an individual. It's hard not to have
expectations for a dog. When you pick up that harness for the first time,
it's just a hello and you haven't really gotten acquainted. It's just like
meeting someone for the first time. You like them, or you think you do, but
some people take longer to get to know. The hardest thing for me was
remembering that it wasn't the previous dog in that harness so he/she
wouldn't do what the other dog did and wouldn't know what I expected until I
taught him/her. Also, each dog will teach you something new. Often, about
yourself. Enjoy the time and talk through any concerns with your girl friend
and with the school if needed. You'll work it out. 
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of JULIE PHILLIPSON
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:12 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate

Gary you will learn more once you get your dog, but generally it is a good 
idea to maintain the routine that you will establish in training for a while

after going home with your dog.  Your dog will most likely test you and 
depending on the dog it might be a lot or not so much, but the main thing is

to be consistent.  Probably for the first few weeks or longer you should be 
the main care taker of your dog until you have a good bond between you.  A 
lot depends on the dogs personality and behavior.  I have had one very hard 
dog, my first. He was a challenge to gain control over him and he tested me 
a lot to see what he could get away with.  It really took months to form a 
mutual respect, but when it happened it was like something just set the 
switch on!  Then I have had two softer dogs that took less time for us to 
bond.    The dog I have now took just a few weeks, in fact it seemed like it

happened almost as soon as we got back home.  Your first dog is most likely 
going to be the most difficult because you are learning everything from 
scratch, where subsequent dogs you kind of have the upper hand because you 
know more about what to expect and what you need to do to gain the dogs 
respect.
Julie Phillipson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "GARY STEEVES" <rainshadowmusic at shaw.ca>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate

> 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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