[nagdu] extremely basic guide dog questions...

[PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)]

I want to say that as great as dogs are, they aren't "cane but better". 
They need to work whereas a cane doesn't care if you use it. 
A cane makes no demands on your time or your emotions. If you break a cane, you won't care the way you will if/when your dog gets hurt or sick. 

Some people don't like dogs. This may or may not matter to you, but it is something to be aware of It's fine to say "Love me, love my dog" if it's just you.  Add spouses or kids to the mix and that gets a little harder. 
Retiring a dog and dealing with the death of a dog are their own levels of tears and pain.
Dogs require that you work as a functioning team. If you have the personality to do this, and you have a dog that thrives with you as a partner, it's beautiful.  If you don't, it is miserable.  It is unlike any partnership you will have, because the dog is with you so much of the time.  It can be intense because you will depend on the dog for your safety.  I've found that being a parent is in many ways easier then using a dog, because I can let other people enjoy my kid without worrying about the impact to my safety.  I found this impossible with my dogs. 
Also, a dog will never get to the point where it can make itselfa sandwich or where you can reason with it.  Sounds silly to write, but is useful when making longterm plans. 

I say all this not to discourage you, just to provide a different perspective should you want it. 
I say all this so that you and others know that a dog isn't "cane but better". It is a very different mobility device.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 10:49 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] extremely basic guide dog questions...

Chris,

I don't think my answers will be much different from everyone Else's 
but, here you go.  BTW I have trained my own guides, meaning they didn't 
come from a program.

A.  When the dog stops sniffing and circling, I lightly touch the dog's 
back.  I can tell what's going on by the curve of the dog's back.  I 
place my foot near the back end of the dog as a sort of landmark.  When 
the dog is done, he moves out of the way and I use a plastic bag to pick 
up the poo.

B. I have a pretty good idea of when my dog is going to need to go.   I 
try to ask in advance if there is an outdoor trash can around.  If I'm 
not sure where a trash can is, I've taken a turn down the next alley to 
find a dumpster.  I live in a very small town where walking down random 
alleys is not dangerous.   It is also possible to teach the dog to 
locate a trash can for you.

C.  My current dog will pull over into the grass if he needs to go.

cane vs. dog
A dog can keep a straight line through snow, mud, open areas like a 
field or parking lot.  A dog can target specific objects and take you 
right to them, like a door, stairs, elevator, counter, Coke machine 
etc.  A dog can plan a route well in advance of encountering the actual 
obstacles.  A dog will stop or take you around overhead obstacles.  A 
dog can be patterned to a route even when it might be difficult for you 
to provide directional cues during the route.   Most dogs will remember 
places you've been and point them out or suggest them in the future.

HTH
Julie

On 7/23/2011 3:22 PM, Chris Harrington wrote:
> Hi!!!
> My name is Chris Harrington, and I've been examining various messages on
> this list for a couple of weeks now, and find getting a guide dog extremely
> interesting. I have several basic questions for people who currently own
> them, and appolagize if my questions are basic. The one I've been wondering
> about, is um, waste management so to speak... When your dog takes a crap, A:
> how do you find it to clean it up? B. Ware do you store such materials until
> you can dispose of them? C. if your dog needs to go, how does he let you
> know? Also, what all does a dog do that a cane can't?
> Thanks to anyone who can successfully answer my questions!!
> Have a great day, and thank you!!!!!
> Chris Harrington
>
>
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