[nagdu] petting dogs in harness

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Hi all,
I changed the subject line for this thread.  I don't think people petting a 
guide dog in harness is a fast and hard rule.  the schools recommend that 
you don't allow it - especially with a new dog.  People and dogs differ. 
Some dogs are too people orientated and get too distracted if they get 
petted by others.  If you have a dog like this, then you probably shouldn't 
allow the dog to be petted by other folks.  Some people never let another 
person to interact with their dog - in or out of harness.  Others allow it 
when the dog isn't walking with them.

Landon does pet assisted therapy in which I take the harness off. 
Personally, I let people pet Landon ONLY IF we are standing still and 
chatting.  He has the ability to go right back into work mode as soon as I 
pick up the handle.  He likes people but will ignore the "drive by" petting 
that occassionaly happens while we are out and about.  This is me and him so 
I personally don't think it should be a blanket rule.  People should always 
ask permission before they pet a working dog - well ANY dog for that matter.

What I do is to correct my dogs if they get distracted by the "drive bys" 
and treat it just like any other distraction that I have no control over.  I 
do find that not as many people do it as much as years ago.  At least around 
here people seem to have some idea as to what a service dog is and that they 
aren't to be bothered while working.

It boils down to you knowing your dog and your particular areas and 
circumstances to determine what you personally want to do in regards to 
allowing interaction with your dog.

Lyn and Landon
"Asking who's the man and who's the woman in an LGBT relationship is like 
asking which chopstick is the fork" - Unknown
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chantel Cuddemi" <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Hello


> Hi,
>
> If your dog is in harness, and they're laying or sitting down, no one is
> allowed to pet the dog unless you give permission.
>
> As a rule, I don't allow anyone to pet Motley while he's in harness when
> he's sitting down or lying down.
>
> Hth,
>
> Chantel and Motley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of lrsj89 at aol.com
> Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 7:24 PM
> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
> Subject: [nagdu] Hello
>
> Can you let some one pet your Guide dog if he or shee is setting or laying
> down?
>
> Sent from my iPod
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