[nagdu] conventions and dogs

[Marsha Drenth]

Julie good subject to bring up.  

I do not take Emma to conventions for much of the same reasons. As much as I
depend on Emma to help in the guiding and balance departments, the stress is
huge for emma. Emma is a shepard, and when we are traveling she NEVER is off
duty. This year I will be flying to Texas for a few days, then on to Orlando
and then back to Texas before I return to PA. this is a long long time. For
10 days I would have a pup that is whound  tighter than a top. Not fun for
me or her. 

When I am at conventions I see how stressed out the dogs get, and I just
don't wish that for Emma. 

Emma is staying with friends who love shepards and who have volunteered to
watch her. She will get lots of love, lots of play time, that she deserves
since she works so hard for me at other times. 

And like Julie, I will probably change my mind before convention. LOL

Marsha


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 10:49 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] conventions and dogs

Hello all!

I was thinking with only a few short weeks to convention time that it would 
be good to discuss whether or not to take your guide along.   also if you 
have taken your guide to conventions in the past please share any hints that

you have found helpful.

I took Belle to Dallas in 2006.  In 2008 I was between dogs.  Last year I 
opted to leave Monty at home.  This year I am going to the ACB convention in

Reno and I will be leaving Monty here.

I have several reasons for choosing to leave Monty.  Here are a few.
When we travel he is always in work mode regardless of actually being in 
harness or not.  I don't see this as a problem for trips of a few days, but 
I worry about the accumulated stress of no down time over longer stretches. 
He will not chew on bones or play with toys for more than a minute or two. 
When given the opportunity to run in a enclosed area, he chooses to stay by 
me or watch what is going on around us. He is slowly getting better with 
this, but it is most definitely a work in progress.  He is a very serious 
guide.

When I'm on vacation or at a convention, I want to do what I want to do when

I want to do it.  Maybe this is selfish, but I'm being honest.  If I want to

go to a concert, go tubing down a river, sleep in late, have drinks with 
friends at 2 in the morning or whatever I don't want to have to worry about 
running the dog ragged or finding someone to dog sit.  I want to have a good

time knowing that my dog is also having a good time.  I enjoy my vacation 
and I know Monty enjoys his time at the dog sitters home.  He gets to romp 
with other dogs, dig in the sandbox, splash in the wading pool and other 
doggie things he doesn't get to do that often.

My last reason has to do with being an owner trainer in a small town. 
Because of where I live there are some things that Monty has never 
encountered or been trained to navigate.  He has never even seen an 
escalator let alone knows how to work one.   He has never experienced crowds

of more than 200-300 people.  the town I live in only has 7,000 people. 
Sure I could take him to a larger city and teach him these skills, but I 
have decided that is not the best option for us.  It would be like taking 
someone who has lived in a small rural community or on a farm and plunking 
them down in the middle of New York City.  there is going to be some culture

shock.  Monty is my small town dog.  I don't think he would be at his best 
in a big city environment.

As always, these are just my thoughts and opinions.  It's what works for me 
today.  Tomorrow I may change my mind. *smile*

Julie


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