[nagdu] leaving your dog alone

Tue Jul 12 22:34:30 UTC 2011

Hi:

I've learned that Bogart is pretty good at staying alone. Last summer I'd had him for about 2 months when my girlfriend went away for 2 weeks. I had left him alone for short periods with no issues so he seemed fine for the about 5 hours I was out to see some bands.

The only time he had a problem was once when Susan and I went out to look at an apartment and thought it best to not introduce the dog issue before we even decided if we were interested. We got out side and could hear him howling from the back alley. I went back up and sort of got in his face and said enough. I got him to his bed and told him to stay. Of course, he didn't stay as I was leaving but he got that he wasn't forgotten. Saturdays we often take him out to the dog park or for long walks at least so he wasn't happy about being left behind. The other time was when I was in Germany and left him with Susan. For the one weekday I was away, she came home from work to take him out. I didn't think that was necessary and when she brought him back and then had to  leave again he did the howling thing again. She went back did the same thing as before and he was fine. In that case I think he would have been better just to have been left alone for longer rather than her coming home and he being disappointed with her leaving yet one more time. 

I've learned that it is important that I tell him as we are getting ready that he is gong to stay home or stay with susan if I have to go out without him. He seems to understand in some way what we are saying so is less upset.

Yesterday I went out for a bike ride and came home. We played a bit but then I had to head out to a jazz jam and it broke my little heart as he gave a little whine as he realized what was happening. Our little guys certainly have a direct route to our hearts don't they?

Anyway, I think it is important to be able to leave your dog at home alone for a good amount of time just so you have the option. I Also agree to start in stages. I left him alone while I went and got the mail, or went to the storage room, getting the laundry. Once I was sure that was fine then it was running to the store or out to get a bottle of wine. :) Once that was good it was going out for supper close by and then it ended up with me going out to see some bands last summer when Susan was away. 

He seems pretty good and we haven't heard him howling or had any negative reports from the neighbours so I think my way has worked for Bogart.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Wayne Merritt <wcmerritt at gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 11:29 am
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog Schools
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> At The Seeing Eye, they recommend slowly introducing the dog to being
> left alone, such as leaving for a few minutes, then for an hour, then
> for several hours, and so forth. They definitely don't recommend to
> walk out and leave them in a strange house the first time you leave
> the dog alone. As you say though, each dog/team is different. The
> first time I left my current guide at my parent's house, I had
> forgotten about this gradual leaving the dog home thing. I went to
> dinner with a friend and was gone for several hours. The next 
> day, I
> asked my folks how my doggy did, and was told that the dog had some
> anxiety about being left at home. They did say that when they 
> put her
> leash on her that she was better, but when I heard about her anxiety,
> I also made a mental note not to leave her alone for several 
> hours the
> first time she was in a new place. That was operator error on my part
> and not her fault. Funny, that last statement brings to mind a phrase
> I had heard some time ago from a service dog trainer which can be
> applied to our guides. It went something like, "If something happens
> an the dog misbehaves, more than likely it's your fault."
> 
> Wayne
> 
> On 7/12/11, PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC) 
> <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:
> > I don't know the duration schools say for leaving a dog 
> shortly after coming
> > home, but I left my dog for an evening to go to an Indigo 
> Girls concert. The
> > dog was fine.
> > I say this because you don't want to sell yourself short of 
> fun stuff to do,
> > and because our dogs will be fine. I was gone for a night.
> > Also, it was one of those things where me not going would have 
> been more
> > upsetting then staying home with my dog.
> > Also, if you do have to travel, your dog will adjust. That's 
> what they do.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-
> bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> > Of Julie McGinnity
> > Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 3:21 PM
> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog Schools
> >
> > Hi Brianna.
> >
> > I went for my first dog when I was still in high school, so I was
> > thinking about the same things you seem to be now.  I 
> went to
> > GEB(Guiding Eyes for the blind).  I had a great 
> experience.  I worked
> > well with the trainers, even though I was young and worried about
> > everything.  Even if you would like a shorter program, I 
> just would
> > like to remind you that all schools recommend that you don't travel
> > with your dog or leave your dog alone to take a trip for the 
> first few
> > months.  Also, a lot of your first Summer with that dog 
> will be full
> > of that dog.  You and your dog will be forming a bond, 
> which is quite
> > magical, but it does take time and energy.
> >
> > If you have any questions about Guide dogs, dog schools, or Guiding
> > Eyes, feel free to email me off list.
> >
> > Now I have to get my own little dog out from under a 
> bed!  :)
> >
> > On 7/11/11, Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Which school of those do you think you would like?
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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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
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Follow me on Twitter at:
> www.twitter.com/wcmerritt
> My websites:
> www.wayneism.com
> www.whitecaneday.org
> 
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