[nagdu] Christmas concerns was Still food and chewing problems

Tue Nov 27 01:10:51 UTC 2012

Mary,

You mentioned being concerned about the Christmas tree ornaments getting 
broken.  I like the suggestion of putting the tree in a playpen.  If you 
have a smaller tree it might also work to put it up on an end table or 
some sort of stand.   Or perhaps arranging the furniture so that the 
tree isn't in a  place the dog will walk through.  Larry's idea of 
putting the ornaments up higher on the tree is also good.  Make sure the 
tree is fairly sturdy and won't tip over with a casual bump.

The only problems I've had with dogs and trees have involved them 
walking close to the tree and the artificial branches sticking to their 
fur, which makes the whole tree spin around.  Of course that's only a 
problem with an artificial tree.  I put any ornaments that contain food 
bits up high on the tree.  I don't use tinsel anymore.  It's a huge 
mess, but also it gets static and will move as it is attracted to other 
charged objects that it gets close to.  So when the dog walks by the 
tinsel will drift toward the animal.  I had a cat who thought this was a 
great game.

Would it be possible to put up the tree with only sturdy ornaments and 
display the glass ones in a different way?

Just some thoughts.  I hope you find a solution that works for you.  I 
ended up putting up the small tree this year.  The big one requires a 
degree in rocket science to connect correctly. *smile*

Julie

On 11/26/2012 5:18 AM, mary wurtzel wrote:
> Dear Marsha,
> I haven't put up the tree yet.  I was seeking advice, first.
> When our cat, Tom, was a young boy, (he died at age twenty-two) but at 
> that time he knocked over our tree more than once.  I replaced a 
> special glass ornament withwice, and then couldn't find it again.  I 
> have purchased special ornaments for our three children each year from 
> the time they were born.
> Freddie, our oldest son, who is a  chef,  some oldsters such as me,  
> may remember him  from national conventions, is turning 35, and I 
> thought of discctinuing the tradition.  People are saying that I 
> should continue it, lol!! More than you all wanted (know  on a dog 
> guide list!!!!! Sorry!!!
> Mary
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
> Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Date sent: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:14:46 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Still food and chewing problems
>
>> mary,
>
>> I am sorry to hear that your having some troubles with Felix. 
> Every single dog has there little quirks.  and your correct no should 
> feel bad for those things that are dogs do not do well.
>
>> Have you thought about doing some behavioral conditioning with 
> the tree? Like for example, take the pup near the tree.  If he goes 
> for an ornament, correct him, say No.  Make a big deal out of it, be 
> very displeased.  If he does not go for an ornament, praise, praise, 
> praise him.  It might take him a few times to get this down.
>
>> If it makes you feel any better, I have been home a little over a 
> month with my pup from GDF.  And we are still having relieving 
> issues.  And most recently, she my pup has put on her pokey pants when 
> working in familiar routes.
>
>> I don't know how long you have been home.  But all of our dogs 
> have there quirks.  Some quirks we can leave with, others we can not.  
> If you made to feel bad again by someone on the list, please email me 
> off list, please.
>
>> thank you,
>
>> Marsha drenth
>> Sent with my IPhone
>> http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com
>
>> On Nov 25, 2012, at 11:02 PM, mary wurtzel <marywurtzel at att.net> 
> wrote:
>
>>> Hello,
>>> My dog does this diving thing sometimes walking in and out of 
> restaurans.  I am trying so hard to correct him.  I use the 
> buckle-high when I know we could have a problem.  Sometimes food can 
> appear in more unlikely places, though.
>>> I also have a question about Christmas.  I have felt guilty 
> because of the people on the list who say their dogs never try to get 
> thingsing to chew when loose at home.  My dog is still under my 
> watch.  I am concerned about him getting hold of low-hanging ornaments 
> on the tree.  It's like having toddlers again.  I used to babyproof as 
> much as possible so I didn't need to be beaying, "no" all of the time.
>>> Perhaps people could think about making generalizations which 
> may make the newbies like me,  feel we are not doing a good  job with 
> our dogs.
>>> This food issue, and chewing are our big challenges.  Felix is 
> doing a marvelous job of guiding me.  He is so careful with my balance 
> challenge, slowing down for cracks or unlevel places, being so careful 
> that I don't bump in a narrow spot.  I am so grateful for him and so 
> proud of him.  I will never be able to pay back the  Guide Dog 
> Foundation for this great independence.  Mary
>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net
>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> Date sent: Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:09:53 -0500
>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Exercising at the air port
>
>>>> Ah yes I had to dream up a title for this one.
>>>> When we came home, walking threw the air port, my dog would dive
>>> for
>>>> food, so off we go, dive pull back,
>>>> Walk more dive pull back.
>>>> I tell you, he is good at his art, a lady was behind me saying,
>>>> "oh chips, Oh crackers, Oh hotdog.
>>>> I was so pleased when we got our cases and left the air port.
>>>> I couldn't get to the gentle leader at that time.
>>>> I didn't think I would need it so I had it in my suit case.
>>>> yes my dog sure had me exercising that day.
>>>> I so tried hard to keep control of him.
>>>> That is when I wish I had a way to know what he was looking at
>>> before I
>>>> had to take a dive to keep him from doing it loll.
>
>>>> -- 
>>>> --Dar
>>>> skype: dmgina23
>>>> FB: dmgina
>>>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>>>> every saint has a past
>>>> every sinner has a future
>
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>
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