[nagdu] Where your dog sleeps at night, etc.

[Dan Weiner]

Hi, Jennifer.

Not necessarily is my answer.
You are told at guide dog school while there to keep your dog on tie-down at
night.
It is recommended for you to do that at home for a certain amount of time,
but you can gradually start giving your dog freedom as he or she earns the
privilege.
My dogs, fortunately, have never really misbehaved at night and I let them
choose where they want to be, I mean they're trustworthy just settling down
wherever. My dog now will eventually come in to my room as I leave my door
open and settle down with me.
I think it's good for a dog to be able to move around.  Pretty much a guide
dog is a pet at home with certain rules.
Saying the dog roams at might makes it sound like the dog's constantly
wandering around, prowling and getting in to trouble--smile.

I've actually found that the dog's getting in to more mischief during the
day if he's bored or something--smile.
For example, a lot of dogs will get in to garbage or pick up and chew
things, so you might want to say, keep doors of rooms with a lot of tempting
stuff closed or put the temptations up somewhere high.

When I first got a dog I was nervous about what I should be doing with the
dog every moment of every day and whenever the dog moved around--smile.
After about six months I realized that, to quote Marion, "don't sweat the
small stuff".
A dog will fit in to your routine and you'll gradually incorporate it in to
your life, or the dog will incorporate itself--smile.

Now, having said that I know there are guide dog owners who choose to be
more restrictive with their dogs at night and I'm not trying to disrespect
them, just telling you what I do.

A guide dog isn't a robot, you learn to work with them and understand them.
I say that because in one message you mentioned cat litter and asked "can't
you just tell the dog to leave it".
I'm not criticizing you, just pointing out something a lot of people don't
understand, it's not like a button you can press and the dog acts.  You'll
learn at school training methods and ways of teaching your dog to do things
or not do things, it won't be automatic--smile.

We look forward to hearing from you and of your success with your training
when it happens.

Dan W. and Carter