[nagdu] conventions and dogs

Fri Jun 17 16:37:09 UTC 2011

I took my German Shepherd guide last year to Dallas, partly because I
know she loves a challenge when moving in new places, but also because
I knew that hotel from the 2006 and 2008 conventions and was fairly
sure I could get us where we needed to go. My guide did fine, though
she did get nervous and need to go outside more often in the
beginning. After a couple of days though she settled down and actually
did quite well. Since not much happens in the first two days, at least
compared to the rest of the week, I made concessions and we spent more
time in the room than I have when I've gone to convention without a
dog. I plan on taking her this year too, but I am wondering how we'll
do since I don't know the hotel. What I love about my guide is she
loves to make decisions, whether it be traveling in a new area,
guiding me around and through crowds, and so forth, so I'm not too
concerned about Orlando. If I had to leave her at home for some
reason, then I would be able to do that as well. After all, I've been
to more conventions with a cane than I have with a dog guide. I think
that it helped us last year to room with another guide dog user, since
often when we were in the room and unwinding, both dogs were playing
and wrestling. This was a good stress release for them.

Wayne

On 6/17/11, Shannon Dyer <solsticesinger at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
> Are you a fan of women's music? If so, join me each Thursday from noon until
> three for the Eclectic Collection: a Celebration of Women In Music. Point
> your media player to:
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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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