[nagdu] extremely basic guide dog questions...

Julie McGinnity kaybaycar at gmail.com
Mon Jul 25 00:11:11 UTC 2011


Hi Chris.

These are actually great questions.  One of the biggest things I
worried about was relieving my dog.  I am a little squeemish and did
not look forward to learning this task, but I did, and I do it every
day now with very few problems.

Like everyone else has said, every dog is different.  It is pretty
easy to tell that my dog is about to relieve because she spins in
circles.  Some people find this amusing, but it is really quite
useful.  When she stops, I just touch my hand lightly to her back to
see if I need to pick up.  If indeed, I do, then I stick a bag over my
hand and pick it up once the dog has moved out of the way.  Beware,
some dogs like to run away from the mess they make, so stand your
ground.

Cane verses dog:

There are many reasons why I prefer a dog to a cane.  I do not walk in
a straight line.  This is bad, and a dog corrects this behavior.  I
also find that working in traffic with a dog makes me feel much safer.
 If a car comes out fo nowhere in front of me, she will stop.  I've
had cars come so close to me that if I had been using a cane, it would
have broken because of the closeness of the car.  Most of the time, I
enjoy the ice breaking abilities of a dog.  I'm an extravert, and the
dog is always a way to start a conversation with someone.  You can
teach your dog to do so many things specific to your needs.  I've
taught Brie to find me elivators, a seat, and even my purse.  Yes,
this one is particularly fun.

Hope this helps!  Good luck!

On 7/24/11, Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net> wrote:
> If you are going to gdb I know they now have them because a friend of mine
> got hers there.
>
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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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