[nagdu] NAGDU: Well meaning people

[Lisa Irving]

Hi Julie,

Today, I had two instances where well meaning people kept correcting me and 
telling me that my dog was moving in the wrong direction. The first 
individual was a deputy at the court house. Despite my gentle insistance 
that I didn't need accompaniment to where I was going, his superior  told 
him to go with me. I figured I'd be polite and also sort of blow him off. My 
dog was taking me along the side of the hall; absolutely correct. He took me 
to a bench; not a big deal as I've recently taught him to find bus benches. 
It went on and on until we reached the office. All along I said in a chipper 
voice that my dog was correct in his judgments. Spoken words fell on deaf 
ears. The second situation was with a friend who has spent a decent amount 
of time around guide dogs. I knew he meant well. I explained the same thing 
to him-- my guide dog was correct in his judgments. I also cut my new dog 
guide some slack too. I really don't want to go to most every pole and most 
every bench. However, I know he's trying to please me. And, I also want him 
to know what a very good dog he is.

Lisa and Bernie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 5:22 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Do you ever get angry with your dogs 
andhowtocontroleit?


> You know just yesterday I was leaving a coffee shop with friends and Monty 
> refused to go forward.  He does this sometimes and it aggravates me to no 
> end.  Usually it is because there is something that he feels requires 
> caution about half a block ahead.   All I need to do is take the leash in 
> my right hand, gesture forward with it and give him a bit of 
> encouragement. The entire event from stopping to going again occurs in 
> about a second and a half.   Yesterday though, someone passing says, "oh, 
> he's in training." That really aggravates me.  It's like he's supposed to 
> be perfect every. single. second.  And honestly I don't consider stopping 
> a mistake, it's just being overly cautious
>
> I walked to the end of the block with my friends.  Monty stopped at the 
> curb.  I told him to turn left so we could line up with where we needed to 
> cross.  One of the friends says, "he didn't turn."  Like that was a 
> mistake. He isn't supposed to turn.  He does sometimes if it's a very 
> familiar route, but I don't expect it.  Still it aggravates me that we are 
> constantly judged and found lacking.
>
> Both very small things and not worth my energy.  I know, but I do think 
> that sometimes it's good to vent.  It keeps me sane and it helps others 
> know they are perfectly normal for getting irritated too. *smile*
>
> Julie
>
>
>
>
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