[nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?

[Marion Gwizdala]

Julie,
    By many people's definition, I am probably not a "good handler" either! 
I don't mind if my dog gets on the furniture - it's leather and isn't 
affected by dog hair, nails, and fluids clean up easily. I don't always 
remove Sarge's harness when I relieve him! I also play tug with him and even 
let him win sometimes! One of his favorite toys is a tennis ball, a big 
no-no if you ask a trainer! I encourage Sarge to bark when he feels like it! 
If someone asks if he bites, I might say "yess", "Maybe", or "I don't know 
yet"! If I find that any of these practices affect his work, I would change 
them, but they don't! He is a great working dog! I let him be a dog when he 
is at home, while insisting on a disciplined work ethic! I have no problem 
admitting these things because I have no fear GDF will take him away from 
me. After all, I own him and they have no say in the matter any more! 
Lifewise, if I have a problem with some aspect of his work, I have no 
concern contacting them and asking for help. I am absolutely certain that 
they will not interfere in my life and know they realize they have no right 
to do so! these are the privileges and assurances of ownership!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 12:37 PM
Subject: [nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?


>I think everyone here knows that sometimes I think too much! *smile*  this 
>mornings ponderings are about just exactly what makes up a *good* guide dog 
>handler or dog owner in general.
>
> I don't know that I have any really great answers.  I know for certain 
> that we all have our own ideas of what is *good* and what isn't.
>
> Sometimes my dogs drink out of the toilet.  Sometimes they eat poop in the 
> yard.  I let Monty run off leash.  this year I used cedar bug repellant 
> instead of a more toxic flea treatment from the vet. I only clean ears 
> maybe twice a year.  I give them baths whenever I feel like it, not on a 
> regular schedule.  I never use a tie down.  rarely do I use a crate 
> anymore.  I play rough tug games with the dogs.  I let them wrestle and 
> chew on each other to their hearts content.  Belle enjoys eating 
> grasshoppers and I let her. I don't brush my dogs every day.  There's 
> probably more but I'll stop.
>
> It feels really cathartic to get all of that off my mind.  I used to get 
> way more caught up in doing everything the *right* way.  I used to give 
> the dogs baths every week.   I didn't used to let Monty run off leash.  I 
> used to brush them every day.  I gave it up and decided to do what works 
> for me.  I think we are all a lot happier with the new arrangement.
>
> I no longer buy into what everyone else thinks is good or right or 
> whatever.  I think we all have to decide individually what works for us, 
> our particular dog and the situation we are in.  I'm sure that in another 
> 5 years I will have an entirely different set of rules.
>
> I still don't know what is good or right.  I only know what works for me.
>
> Julie
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