[nagdu] conventions and dogs

[Marion Gwizdala]

Dear All,
    One thing I do at every convention is give my dog a day off; generally, 
on Wednesday of convention. I let them accompany me, but do not work them. I 
don't even put them in harness. I feel this down time in the middle of the 
convention helps them manage stress.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] conventions and dogs


>I probably haven't read all of the messages on this topic, but I will say 
>that every conventio to which I've traveled since getting a dog, I have 
>taken the dog. I go to my room when possible to give it down time, if the 
>elevator lobby is too squishy, we step aside and wait even though it isn't 
>always convenient, sometimes I've gone a little early so that I can learn 
>the hotel a little better. I like this best. It is also helpful if you go 
>with someone who is sighted who can help you target certain places right 
>off so that you pattern to them faster, but it isn't a must. I don't keep 
>late nights with my dogs much. They are tired at the end, but they recover 
>quickly, and mostly they have responded very favorably to the extra work, 
>seeming to feel really important. Lots of praise is importance; also, some 
>of our stress sometimes comes from our own when we are lost or the like, so 
>somtimes even when we are, I think we have to say, "Good girl/boy", and 
>ruffle their ears and pet just a
> little.
> Cindy Lou
>
>
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