[nagdu] conventions and dogs

Fri Jun 17 16:20:34 UTC 2011

I don't do conventions very often, and, on the rare occasions I do attend, it's very near where I live. So, I can choose whether to bring Caroline or not. I've done both, depending on how long I plan to be there, what I plan to do, etc. However, I do find that she tends to get a bit stressed by all the dogs, canes, and people. So, in most cases, I find it easier to leave her home. However, if I just plan to go for a short time, she does well.

Shannon and Caroline
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On Jun 17, 2011, at 11:14 AM, Marsha Drenth wrote:

> 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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