[nagdu] new guide dog user with questions

[Jenny Keller]

Dear Mona,

I can't answer all of your questions, because I have had unsuccessful experiences with dogs from another school.  

what I do know, is that a dog, any dog, will test you when they get home from training.  It's kind of like a child, who knows they have to be good when you first meet them.  But oh my goodness do they begin to test your limits when they think they have the opportunity.

I have been told that by many successful guide dog users.  also, the guide that I worked for three years pooped in a grocery store after having the opportunity to relieve himself just before we came in.  I simply bent down and said the word "no" in a low firm tone, and a woman gave me the riot act about how I didn't take him out when I should've and that I didn't have any business having a dog.  

She then reported me to my school both by phone call and by email.  the school called me and I told them what had happened and that was all that happened.

I didn't tell you that part to scare you.  But sometimes people don't understand why you correct your dog, and how it relates to our safety.  You probably won't be reported to your school in your lifetime with any of your dogs in the future, or the one you have now, but, if you do, don't be surprised.  there are a lot of stupid people out there that have to have their noses in your business.  Most times, they have no idea what they're talking about, and should've minded their business in the first place.

Everyone is frightened about ruining their dog in the beginning.  I think the best thing I can say, and I think many on this list would agree with me, is that your nerves, or relaxed feelings, goes from you down the leash to your dog.  

It doesn't mean not to ask questions, or to just let him do what he wants, but he knows when you're nervous, and he knows when you're confident.  

we're all here for you.  

Jenny
On Aug 13, 2012, at 7:59 AM, Ramona Davidson wrote:

> Hello, I’m new to the list and new to being a guide dog user. I have
> some questions that may seem stupid, but remember, I’m new at this.
> 
> First off let me start by introducing myself.
> I’m Mona, I have a 4 year old son, and a yellow lab named Ismael who I
> received on July 4th from the seeing eye. We have only been a team for
> about 6 weeks.
> 
> Here are my questions, sorry this will be kind of long.
> 
> Is it normal in the beginning, to want to check for the curb when
> walking down a side walk, to make sure the dog did not veer in to a
> driveway, parking lot, or out in the street? I often find myself
> stopping, asking him to turn toward the street, and tapping my foot
> out to find the curb, when I do find it I tell him good boy and ask
> him to go back in the direction we were going. Will this type of
> behavior ruin him?? I’m fairly sure after I grow to trust him I won’t
> continue this behavior but for now I need it for my since of mind. Am
> I just confusing him? Should I quit doing this?
> 
> How do you all deal with negative responses regarding corrections from
> outsiders? I was at pet smart with a friend recently, and had to
> correct Ismael for bad behavior. He was distracted with other dogs,
> treats, people, and toys. He was running me in to objects left and
> right, lunging this way and that and sniffing everyone and everything.
> I had given him a few verbal corrections and that didn’t work so I
> went to a one handed leash correction. My friend who was with me
> flipped out and started saying that if only I could have saw his face
> when I did that and how I was over reacting and that I was mean. I
> told her I wasn’t going to argue about it in the store but when we got
> in to the car I would be glad to explain a few things to her. Her mood
> was less than pleasurable from then on out. As soon as we got in to
> the car I explained to her that his behavior was unacceptable, she
> tried making excuses, it was crazy in there and you can’t really
> expect him to not act like a dog she said. I told her, well that would
> be true but we were in this very same situation not more than two
> weeks ago during training and he made it in and out of the store
> without one single verbal or leash correction.  And there were as many
> distractions if not more. He knows how to act and he’s testing me.
> Obviously she didn’t care to hear it. I also explained to her that he
> cannot decipher between when it’s safe to have distractions and when
> it’s not and even though it wasn’t like I was crossing a street, he
> was running me in to shelves people and other animals, and had I let
> him get away with it next time it could be during a more dangerous
> moment like crossing a street. She said she understood but she hasn’t
> been the same towards me since, I also told her that if she couldn’t
> handle me correcting him that I would have to back off from her for a
> while because I couldn’t have anyone interrupting me and what I have
> been taught. Did I handle this situation right? Was I over the top? I
> pushed her away, and I’m sad about that but maybe it’s for the best? I
> even showed her the video we got from the school but honestly, it
> leaves much to be desired.\
> 
> I also have a 4 year old son, I’m working hard at not letting them
> bond right off because we are so new, but he’s already attached to
> him, sometimes when he’s sitting beside me he just stares off at my
> son like he’d rather be with him, I don’t know what to do. It doesn’t
> affect our partnership or his work unless my son is walking with us.
> But when I’m walking just him and I without my son his guide work is
> flawless. I’m still trying to figure out if when we are walking my son
> makes him nervous, or if he’d rather take commands from my son. This
> stuff is so confusing. And it’s not that he just doesn’t want to work
> for me when my son is with us, he does, but I can tell a noticeable
> difference in his guide work.
> 
> I’m sorry this has already been so long; I have so many questions and
> hate to bombard everyone with them in rapid fire succession
> 
> Thanks in advance, Mona.
> 
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