[nagdu] Give the Dog a Break!

[Tracy Carcione]

I would certainly let the dog rest if he's not feeling well, but otherwise
I figure he gets plenty of breaks.  There are days I do a lot, and days I
don't.  Unless I've been working him hard for a few days, he doesn't seem
to appreciate a break.  He likes to be out there, doing his stuff. And
he's not as sharp, if he hasn't worked much for a couple days.  The only
time he really needs a little time off is when he's been working almost
morning to night, as he probably will when I go away this weekend.  But
that works out, as I'll want a bit of rest afterwards, too.
I have never bought into this bit of "keeping up one's cane skills."  It's
not rocket science.  I'm a bit rusty when I first pick up the cane, but
I'm all right after about 10 seconds, maybe less.  By the time I've walked
the 50 feet from my driveway to the first street, I feel up to snuff. 
Though I much prefer my dog.  He's faster, smoother, and he goes around
those darned bushes that stick out into the sidewalk, among many other
things.
Tracy

> Good morning.
>
>
>
> I was having a discussion with a fellow guide dog user this morning at the
> bank.  We somehow talked about whether you should give your guide a break
> from work every now and then.
>
>
>
> The person's opinion was no as she stated she uses her guide all the
> time.even when the dog isn't feeling all that well.  She said that she
> just
> won't work it as much.
>
>
>
> My opinion is that we should give our dogs a break pretty regularly.  By
> this I don't mean leave your dog four days a week or anything, but I do
> feel
> as though the dog does need a break from work.  Their work is more than a
> little stressful, even for the most experienced team.  In those instances
> where the dog is ill, then I really believe you should give it a break.
>
>
>
> Beyond the reasons that a dog should learn to be alone at some point as
> well
> as de-stress, leaving the dog at home here and there will allow us to keep
> our cane skills up to par.  I think people become overly dependent upon
> their guide.even though this is easy, through experience.  But that dog is
> just like us and needs a break.
>
>
>
> What are your thoughts?
>
>
>
> William Burley
>
> William.burley3 at gmail.com
>
>
>
> Facebook and Twitter:  wburley3
>
> Skype:  William.burley69
>
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