[nagdu] differences between caring for pets and guides

Albert J Rizzi albert at myblindspot.org
Sat Feb 13 20:56:39 UTC 2010


Some very sound advice. And totally true. Any mood I am in or stresses I
experience are totally mirrored in doxy. I find that just knowing that helps
me to maintain an even temper so as to not confuse him even if and when I
myself am confused.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
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www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
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doing it."


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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Wayne Merritt
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 3:42 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] differences between caring for pets and guides

Many dogs will also pick up on your mood while in situations, so if
you are tense or worried in a crowd then they will be as well. If
you're calm, then they'll be calm; if you're anxious, then they'll be
anxious; if you're confident, then they'll be confident. Think of the
dog as a mirror that reflects back whatever you're feeling. I'm told
that my guide often looks at me to see how I'm handling a situation in
order to decide how she should act. This was brought home to me the
first time we walked down the main hall at The Seeign Eye, and my
trainer told me to just walk normally with the dog on leash and while
I was holding onto my trainer's arm. I think he was wanting to see how
my guide reacted to me and walking down the hall. Can't quite
remember. Anyway, I often think of his words regarding the mirror
concept. He said that my dog was picking up on my mood by looking at
me, and since I was calm and content, she was adopting the same
attitude, even though she might have been a little worried. At the
time, I just looked at this first leash walk down the main hall as no
big deal and probably wasn't even thinking about it. Unknowingly, I
was transferring my contentness to my dog. Later during training and
afterward, I've come to realize other things the trainers said, namely
that my guide and I are a good match since we both look to each other
and complement each other. She's content to lay under my desk at work
for hours, and I'm mostly calm and content when working her.

Wayne and Gucci

On 2/13/10, Joy Relton <jrelton at verizon.net> wrote:
> Mark,
>
> I agree with the others who have responded to many of your questions. The
> breed is not a determining factor with respect to which will be the best
> behaved or the most adaptable to crowds. Those sorts of things have a lot
to
> do with you. How do you do in carrying on with the discipline and the
> obedience exercises. How do you deal with crowds and how attentive are you
> to your dogs needs. Also, the temperament of the dog makes a difference.
> There is no one size fits all. Also, the partnership is something you have
> to be constant and consistent with, it's like any other relationship, it
> takes diligence and commitment. You might compare it to having a child. No
> matter how they behave you still can't lock them in the closet. Also, if
you
> don't respect your child and teach them respect they won't have any, for
> themselves or others.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Mark J. Cadigan
> Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 10:20 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] differences between caring for pets and guides
>
>
> Assuming I do all the daily training and maintenance properly what schools
> or breeds of dogs do you find to be the best behaved? Also, what kinds of
> dogs are best around crouds and noise?
>
> Thanks
> Mark
> PS. Let me know if this game of 20 questions is getting a bit much. I am
not
>
> certain ware else to find out all this esoteric information.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "fuehrer stacy l" <precious1205 at charter.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 9:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] differences between caring for pets and guides
>
>
>> Mark, the biggest differences in caring for a guide than a pet dog are
>> the
>> daily obedience exercises that are strongly recommended for a guide, as
>> well as keeping up the skills both of you have learned in training.  This
>> is done through repetition and a good working routine each and every day,
>> when possible.  Consistency in the dog's feeding and relieving schedule
is
>
>> huge as others have mentioned.  Keeping the guide's manners sharp both in
>> your home and while out in public is essential also.
>> Hope this helps, do keep us updated.
>> Stacy and London
>>
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>
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