[nagdu] boredom on routine routes

[John Doering]

Julie,
I would suggest first making sure his slowing down is not due to something 
physical.  Have your vet check him out.

HTH,
JD

----- 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: Saturday, May 28, 2011 8:12 AM
Subject: [nagdu] boredom on routine routes


> Hello all!
>
> Monty has developed a new habit of going incredibly slow on our route to 
> work.  It started several months ago, but I didn't think too much about 
> his being a bit slower in the morning.  Now my schedule has changed and 
> he's slow no matter what time of day I go to work.   His pace has 
> gradually decreased from his usual really fast, to fast, to typical 
> pedestrian, to slow.
>
> There is road construction  which means that my route to work has changed 
> a few times in the past few weeks.  The first time we go the new way he's 
> at his usual fast pace, but as soon as he figures out where we are going, 
> it's back to dragging his feet.
>
> My son had to run an errand downtown earlier this week, so he walked to 
> work with me one afternoon.  This is highly unusual.  I always walk to 
> work alone, but my son and I do frequently walk in the evenings for 
> leisure.  When my son was along, Monty was absolutely perfect with his 
> brisk pace.  I think he thought we were going someplace fun.
>
> The places I go on a weekly or less frequent basis, Monty is fine.  I 
> teach a class one evening a week, go to the middle school one day a week 
> and attend various meetings and run errands at various locations.  Monty 
> has his regular pace to all of these places. Some of them are close to 
> where I work, but he must have figured out where we are going because he 
> doesn't slow.
>
> I have a fairly quiet office job.  Monty has a rug under my desk, where he 
> generally sleeps.  He shows no signs of stress or fear while at work.
>
> I'm thinking he's bored with going to work with me.  This is unfortunate 
> because I haven't won the lottery and plan on continuing going to work for 
> the foreseeable future.   I don't see boredom as a reason to not work 
> Monty.
>
> I would welcome all ideas, suggestions or things you have done in a 
> similar situation.  I'm also happy to answer any questions or provide more 
> information.
>
> thanks!
> Julie
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