[nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?

Fri Dec 10 22:34:39 UTC 2010

This is so funny.  I don't think Julie J could have said it better.  I
have been thinking about this a lot lately because I get criticized
for being to strict with my dog.  "Can't she have any treats?"

"No.  Not unless I have proven first that they won't hurt her stomach."

Of course, she has the run of the fernature, so I'm not a completely
mean mommy, but I do get it a lot from different people, especially
sighted dog owners, who don't think she is a "real" dog.  What does
that even mean?

One of my favorite dog trainers at GEB told me that the food doesn't
matter, none of the details really matter, as long as you love your
dog.  When you love yoru dog, the other stuff just happens.  You will
take care of your dog the way you need to, no matter what they tell
you to do.

And, no toilet water for Brie!  Only because I think it's nasty.  Lol!

On 12/10/10, Marion Gwizdala <blind411 at verizon.net> wrote:
> Doug,
>     One of my favorite phrases to say to my 100-pound Shepherd when one of
> those little yappers start going at it is, "I that dog could kill you! You
> could choke on it!" (grin)
>
> Marion
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Doug Parisian" <eggmann at mts.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 6:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?
>
>
>> Oh Marion, you mean I'm not a bad boy after all?  When I owned a house,
>> all of my dogs were allowed to be a dog at home, and yes indeed, all of
>> them played in the yard at will, and I trained all of them to come off
>> leash when called.  And hey, you wanna take your dogs harness off for
>> relieving when it's minus 30 Canadian, not including wind chill--be my
>> guest.  I ain't doing it!!
>>
>> And another thing, I in fact trained all my dogs to bark when they wanted
>> in, and my present lady abuses all my friends when they walk into my
>> apartment--they love it (love me, love my dog!)  I've never had a problem
>> with inappropriate barking, even when those little yappers kick up their
>> racket when we walk buy.  I once had a friend who called them sandwich
>> dogs--just enough meat for a sandwich.
>>
>> Doug: I'm Gold finger's brother--cold finger.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 4:07 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?
>>
>>
>>> 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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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16