[nagdu] Thinking of getting a guide dog

[Shannon Wells]

Matt, welcome to the list. I'm Shannon Wells, and I got my first guide dog in 1998. I've been without a dog for 6 years now, but I'm applying for another as we speak.

Having a dog lead you is in some ways like another person. They are trained to know where curbs and steps are. As for knowing whether the step goes up or down, you can check with your foot, but if it is an area you know well, you'll know whether that particular flight goes up or down. The one disadvantage, if you would call it that, to having a dog lead you around is you might not always be aware of what is around you. In my case, I found I liked it better that way. I always have the option of finding out my surroundings, but when I'm headed a particular place, I don't usually care what all is there. I just want to get from point a to point b without finding everything in between.

I never had other dogs or other pets in the house except my guide dog, so you'll have to rely on others on this list to answer that question. But, I have had a lot of friends with pets and guide dogs in the same house with no difficulties.

Good luck,

Shannon Nicole Wells, author
http://www.wildheartbook.com
http://oldtimechristian.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/authorshannon
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1826550903

On Aug 17, 2012, at 10:30 PM, Matt Gilman <lvsr01 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
> 
> I am new to this list and I have been considering getting a guide dog for some time now.  I know I have questions but I really don't know what they are.  I have a feeling once i start getting some  replies
> I might start figuring these questions out.
> 
> I am not sure how guide dogs really work in the sense of feeling edges. For example with my cane I can feel the curb coming up and know where the edge is but with a dog how does this work?  Also the same goes for steps.How will I know if they go up or down with a dog?  With a cane I can feel them and know instantly.  this is just one example of my thinking.
> 
> I am totally a dog person and have been for a very long time.  My wife is also a vet tech.  If this doesn't say that we are dog people I don't know what does.  I heard that you shouldn't have a guide dog while  you have other dogs in the house?  I currently have 2 dogs as pets.  Is this and issue?
> 
> Thanks for all the help.
> 
> Matt.
> 
> Matt gilman
> www.blindbiketrials.com
> Matt at blindbiketrials.com
> 443-650-8441
> 
> Matt Gilman
> Www.blindbiketrials.com
> 443-650-8441
> Sent from my talking iPhone. Siri probably wrote this email.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/oldtimechristian%40gmail.com