[nagdu] boredom on routine routes

[Julie J]

This has been going on for some time, gradually getting slower and slower. 
I did wonder if the construction equipment made him nervous or something. 
But we've had to go well around where they are working and it makes no 
difference.  As soon as he figures out where we are going, he slows.   I've 
changed the particular route we take every few days.  He's good at first, 
but he catches on very quickly that it's the same old thing in a new 
wrapper! *smile*

Julie


From: "John Doering" <doering at ameritech.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] boredom on routine routes


> You are probably correct there.
> Did anything happen recently on that route that may have made him 
> cautious?
>
> 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 10:57 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] boredom on routine routes
>
>
>> He's due for a vet visit anyway and I'll mention it.  However he only 
>> does this on the way to work.  I can take him on a 4 mile walk through 
>> the hike and bike trails and he's at his usual fast pace the whole way. 
>> I think if it were something physical it would be consistent everywhere 
>> we go.
>>
>> Julie
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "John Doering" <doering at ameritech.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 10:38 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] boredom on routine routes
>>
>>
>>> 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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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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