[nagdu] Questions About Guide Dogs

[GARY STEEVES]

Hi Larry:

Yes, I have bogart trained to do the push buttons, bus stops, benches, garbages. The funny thing is I never trained him how to identify bus stops with no shelter. If there is a shelter, he will go to the bench inside. If not, then he will go to the bus stop pole. I think when I first got him I didn't trust him and moved us to the left 20 feet. The bus rolled up, stopped (thank god) but was actually where bogart had been. So then I decided to trust him about this. He's a poodle so just so smart though. :) My favourite thing I've noticed he knows how to do is find where to cross at T intersections. Say I'm walking along a road on the sidewalk and I know there is a road off to the left I need for us to get on I  tell Bogart "Bogart, Left, find the curb." I just tried this once to see what would happen. At a point, he turned left onto the grass beside the sidewalk and stopped at the curb. I listened for traffic and when it was safe, told him forward, find the curb. I was so surprised when we ended up at the corner of the T intersection right at the curb cut. Very cool!

Gary


----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 6:47 pm
Subject: [nagdu] Questions About Guide Dogs
To: doggie <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> My neighborhood is very walkable as well.  My mobility is 
> pretty good.  I like working with my Holly for a few 
> reasons.  We can move really fast and not have to worry 
> about bumping into anything.  For instance, I have to 
> transfer busses often.  I try to run to catch the next bus 
> and bump, bump, bump!!  I would have to have a head like a 
> musk ox to survive all of those posts I bump into.  And a 
> 30 foot cane to hit them in time to stop!  I haven't hit 1 
> post with Holly!  Also, Holly is just a great 
> companion!  I forgot, she also will go around those cars 
> who insist on sticking out in stopped traffic and finding those 
> curb cuts quickly.  And she also finds the push button 
> lights and now, the sheltered bus stops!  I'm trying to 
> think of a way she can find the bus stops that are not 
> sheltered.  
> Intelligence is always claimed but rarely proven!
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