[nagdu] Mistakes?

[Larry D. Keeler]

I sure get that!  Folks don't really understand that dogs are intelligent 
tools.  They show us things they think we need to know and at least for me, 
I usually pay attention so that if I come back that way again, I can keep 
what Holly showed in mind. Also, it seems that people just don't get that 
our dogs job is primarily to keep us from bumping into stuff!  Not to tell 
us where to go or when the light changes or for that matter to protect us! 
But, to not have us bump, fall or stepin or on stuff! I always hear folks 
saying that I'm leading Holly or that holly isn't doing her job because I 
end up at a door near where I want to go! Well, some of that isn't her job! 
I sometimes do look like I'm sort of leading her! Giving her directions, 
listening for trafic patterns and looking for the right door to open. But, I 
sure don't bump into much or go flying down the stairs! We even stop for 
slick ice or sometimes for leaves on the sidwalk!  And, in the winter more 
snow drifts than I can count! But, that's her job and she does that well! 
And in cramped situations, it is harder to not bump into stuff and the dogs 
become much more hesitant which they should!
----- 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: Sunday, April 07, 2013 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Mistakes?


> Sure, there were two things.  First I was seated at the head table, which 
> was near a wall and there were flag poles or planters in the space as 
> well. So when I tried to move out of that space Monty refused because it 
> was too narrow.  The people scooted their chairs in and then proceeded to 
> tell me I could get through.  I could, but Monty and I still could not fit 
> through together.  So he refused again.  Everyone thought he was being 
> dense, but I knew from his body language that he was indicating to walk 
> single file.   We got that sorted out.
>
> Then I walked between another set of tables and another wall, but with 
> more space this time.  However there was no way to go around these tables 
> since the far end went all the way to a third wall.  I'm not explaining 
> the layout well.  Anyway it was a dead end.  Monty stopped to show me an 
> exit door instead of moving all the way into the dead end.  After all it 
> would be the obvious choice and I had not specifically asked him to find 
> anything.  He often shows me things he thinks I might want to know or 
> suggests ways he thinks look like possible routes.   Again everyone 
> thought he was making a mistake because I had told him forward.  It was 
> really irritating.
>
> At the time I didn't know where I was going was a dead end, but after 
> Monty suggested the door, I strongly suspected.  Later I asked my husband 
> who happened to be at this dinner with me, about the particulars of the 
> layout of the room.  I feel like if I had more time I could have explained 
> why Monty did what he did in these situations so they would have 
> understood, but there just wasn't time.
>
> Julie
>
>
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