[nagdu] Ooops! Re: First Time Guide Dog User

Tue Jul 19 18:15:17 UTC 2011

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knows why guides are placed on your left side? I 
assumed because most people are right handed and placing the guide on your 
left allowed your domonant hand to be free. I was just taking a whild guess, 
but what about the people who are left handed? I am sure it is a bit 
difficult for them. Also is it pretty common for guides not to like sitting 
under tables or lying next to chairs? I have also heard there are toys that 
are better for guides than others. Does anyone knowif this is the case and 
why? I also thought it was neat that some people have poodles for guides. I 
must say I never pictured a poodle making a good guide. Thanks
Gloria
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tami Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 10:45 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Ooops! Re: First Time Guide Dog User


> Gary,
>
> Sorry for the name change there! Can't type worth beans today, but I'm
> not sure how I missed that in proofreading.  Apparently, I can't proof
> read worth beans, either. /smile/
>
> Oh, I'd meant to mention that Mitzi is not a big fan of sitting or lying
> down under tables, either. She started managing to do it without all the
> fuss from me when she was nearly 4, and now she's pretty good at it when
> she needs to be. Honestly, though, if I can I arrange to sit in a spot
> where she can sit or stand without being int he way or disruptive. And,
> of course, where she can watch what's going on. /smile/ She can lie
> quietly under a table or beside my chair when the occasion requires it,
> though, which I was beginning to think would *never* happen. So there is
> hope for your poodle boy. I should warn you, it takes awhile to remember
> thow to just eat and talk and enjoy a nice quiet dinner at a
> restaurant. /lol/
>
> Tami
>
> Tami
>
> On Mon, 2011-07-18 at 18:40 -0700, Tami Kinney wrote:
>> Gay,
>>
>> Yeah, I have really come to value that "screw you" attitude in Mitzi
>> because when we have an argument, she so often turns out to be right
>> even when I win. And it shows in really great things in her work that I
>> appreciate to no end. But I could still cheerfully strangle her I do
>> like the give and take in our partnership because it gives us so much
>> flexibility. And that crazy smart mind of hers is working all the time.
>> We haven't been downtown or doing and really city-type sidewalk and
>> traffic work forever, but she was pitch perfect. Incredible. I was so
>> proud of her I could hardly stand it. She worked a fuller day like that
>> and having to be totally perfect for the first time in way too long, and
>> DD said he could see her working to remember everything, which she did.
>> She was pretty zonked out when we got home, but still jumped up to go
>> out to dinner once we'd given Daisy a potty break. Love that
>> poodle. /grin/  /
>>
>> She's really picky about insisting that I u se the right command for the
>> occasion, so when I forget commands or use the wrong one, she's just
>> totally uncooperative. /lol/ Except for left and right, which I don't
>> seem to have a 50 percent chance of getting right for some reason. Maybe
>> because I'm a lefty? Anyway, she knows which one I mean, either way, so
>> we're good there. /lol/
>>
>> Tami
>>
>> On Mon, 2011-07-18 at 12:29 -0700, GARY STEEVES wrote:
>> > Hi Gloria:
>> >
>> > I am only a year out from getting my first dog. My best advice is try 
>> > not to get too worked up and nervous. It will go  well. There will be 
>> > some trying times  but not really that many. I think the key is to stay 
>> > patient. My dog, a poodle, was really one who tested me and people 
>> > thought I was extremely patient. I'm sure a few times I felt like 
>> > throttling Bogart but, of course, I never did. My dogs two things at 
>> > school was not wanting to sit or lie at the dinner table. It would be 
>> > one chew, bogart sit down, chew chew, bogart down, chew chew, sit 
>> > bogart. The other weird thing he did was while on leash in the school, 
>> > often refuse to walk down the stairs. He would stand on the landing and 
>> > not move. Although I know now he isn't fond of stairs (will always find 
>> > the esculator or elevator in the subway rather than the steep stairs) 
>> > this was just his way of saying screw you, I'm the boss. In reflection 
>> > it was all pretty funny. He still has a bit of a stubborn streak but is 
>> > really special, guides well and is a good addition to our family.
>> >
>> > Have fun and it will all go wonderfully.
>> >
>> > Gary
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: Gloria G <gloria.graves at gmail.com>
>> > Date: Monday, July 18, 2011 8:20 am
>> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] First Time Guide Dog User
>> > To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> >
>> > > Hi Tommy,
>> > > Wow, thanks for the weather up date. It is very hot where I am,
>> > > but the idea of coming to rain is not to exciting, but the
>> > > excitement of getting a guide and opening a new chapter in my
>> > > life may be greater than the not so exciting weather forecast. I
>> > > am nervous because I am sure there is a lot of info to take in
>> > > and I am worried that I might forget some of the commands. I
>> > > know it is just first time jittters and things will work
>> > > themselves out, but that is where I am at this point. Thanks
>> > > again for the tips.
>> > > Gloria
>> > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tami Kinney"
>> > > <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> > > Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2011 7:11 PM
>> > > Subject: Re: [nagdu] First Time Guide Dog User
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > >Gloria,
>> > > >
>> > > >Welcome to the list and to the wide world of guide dog users. I
>> > > always>love hearing from people off for their first dog; it's
>> > > just so exciting
>> > > >and I can never wait to hear of their ongoing adventures.
>> > > >
>> > > >If you're coming in a couple of weeks, Iw ould advise you to
>> > > bring your
>> > > >raincoat. And boots, good wet weather socks, a few sweaters, perhaps
>> > > >even long johns. If you're looking for a break from summer's
>> > > heat, you
>> > > >will be coming to the right place! Or maybe by then we'll be having
>> > > >summer or sojmething here?
>> > > >
>> > > >My name is Tami (Tammy, in case you're using JAWS), annd I live in
>> > > >Portland, Oregon, not far from GDB's Oregon campus. I am
>> > > working my
>> > > >first guide, a 5-year-old owner-trained poodle named Mitzi.
>> > > We're out in
>> > > >the burbs these days and don't get into downtown much to do
>> > > city slicker
>> > > >work, but you'll be training in some great areas where Mitzi
>> > > and I also
>> > > >did some of our more advanced city and other training.
>> > > Portland's a
>> > > >great town, except for the part where it's the place where the
>> > > sun don't
>> > > >shine. /lol/
>> > > >
>> > > >Best wishes for you and your soon to be guide dog!
>> > > >
>> > > >Tami
>> > > >
>> > > >On Sun, 2011-07-17 at 16:14 -0500, Gloria G wrote:
>> > > >>Hi,
>> > > >>My name is Gloria and I live in Iowa. I will be a first time
>> > > guide dog user once I began training at the Guide Dogs for the
>> > > Blind school in Organ in a couple of weeks. I am both excited
>> > > and nervous about this new relationship with a guide dog. I was
>> > > told by a friend of mine about this list serve and became very
>> > > interested. I am hoping someone could give me suggestions on how
>> > > to best prepare for a guide and things I should be aware of that
>> > > I might not have thought of. I am grateful for any help that can
>> > > be given.
>> > > >>Gloria
>> > > >>_______________________________________________
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>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >_______________________________________________
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>> > >
>> > >
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