[nagdu] Returned From The Seeing Eye

[Marsha Drenth]

Robert,

Congrats on your new companion. By no means just because you're a first time
dog user, doesn't mean that others who have used dogs for years don't have
some adjustment time, because we all do. Just take one day at a time. And
ask away here. 

As far as your question on using a cane and working your dog. Yes it is a
good idea to take your cane along. Your dog might get sick and might not be
able to work. Or you might get lost, and need to use that cane. I have used
a Ambi-tech cane, it's a folding one. But its pretty heavy. Recently I have
purchased one of the NFB's new folding canes, its very light weight, and its
folding. It runs about 40 dollars in the Independence market. 

Hope this helps,
Marsha



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Robert Martin
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 8:31 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Returned From The Seeing Eye

HI,

Late on Thursday afternoon I returned to Iowa from three and a half weeks at
The Seeing Eye In New Jersey.  I am now the partner of a sixty-pound Golden
Retriever named Nick who is a very mellow and exceptionally friendly dog who
also seems to be a very good worker.  If I learn to be as effective as he
is, we should have a wonderful partnership.  We have lots of learning and
getting acquainted before us but I think we're well matched and well
trained.  I was enormously impressed with the instructors and the staff at
the Seeing Eye.  Like everyone I was apprehensive but quickly realized that
I was in excellent hands and although I made this decision somewhat later
than do most people, I do not regret it for one minute.  I will probably be
calling on all of you for advice from time to time and I'm confident I will
continue to benefit from the experiences of all of you.  

For the moment I have one questions.  It's quite an adjustment to move from
the kind of information one receives from a cane to that which one receives
from a dog.  I was told   that there is sometimes a benefit from coupling
the work of the dog with the occasional use of a cane to figure out what
kind of obstacles  the dog is trying to cope with or to get a better sense
of orientation to an unfamiliar site.  Can any of you suggest what kind of
cane you may occasionally use in conjunction with your dog?  Does a good
collapsible cane work well for such situations where a cane might be
appropriate?  Any advice will be much appreciated.  

Thanks,

Bob 

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/marsha.drenth%40gmail
.com
 

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 6321 (20110724) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com
  

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 6323 (20110725) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com
 
 

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 6323 (20110725) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com