[nagdu] the life of a guide dog
Julie J.
julielj at neb.rr.com
Mon Apr 22 12:16:47 UTC 2013
Yes, I totally agree with Ann.
Yesterday my teen age son mentioned to me that Monty doesn't like going into
the laundry room. He thought this was odd. It is a bit odd, but I'm pretty
sure I know why.
when Monty was a puppy I accidentally shut him in the laundry room. then I
couldn't find him and proceeded to go through the whole house calling him.
The whole time Monty could hear me and was getting more and more frantic
because he couldn't come to me. He has an amazing recall, prompt and fast.
He came to me that way. I don't take any credit, but when I called and
called and he didn't come, well it was very worrying to me. I was sure
something awful had happened to him. I'm sure that worry came through in my
voice, which of course stressed him even more.
He will enter the laundry room with a person, but I don't think he has ever
gone in there alone since. These days I generally leave the door open
anyway. The days of him chewing up random items are well behind us. I also
learned to be more attentive about not shutting him up accidentally. Still
the laundry room is not one of his favorite places.
I am guessing that Cass is making some sort of negative association with the
park. It could be something like what Ann mentioned. It could be something
like some other dog accosting her at the park when she was a puppy. My
first guide was afraid of big dogs for this reason. She was attacked by a
large neighbor dog when she was very young. she grew up to be a big dog
herself, but I don't think she ever realized it. Her big dog fears weren't
profound. Probably to the average person they wouldn't even be noticed, but
if you knew her it was obvious that she didn't want to be around big dogs.
she would exhibit many of the behaviors you are seeing in Cass.
I hope you can find a beautiful place to walk that you can both learn to
love and enjoy.
Julie
-----Original Message-----
From: Ann Edie
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 10:53 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the life of a guide dog
Hi, Daniel,
I'm trying to get inside your dog's mind and figure out why she reacts the
way she does when you enter the park for a walk. I wonder how she responds
to other places where there might be other dogs or squirrels or pigeons or
ducks or other distractions? I know that some dogs who have been taught
through correction that they are not supposed to become distracted by these
other animals, and who have learned that the best way to avoid correction
for getting distracted is to try to avoid getting too close to the other
animals or to keep yourself very tightly under control when in the vicinity
of other animals, do respond by generally shutting down when put in the
stressful situation. If you think this might be the reason for your dog's
behavior, this might help you begin to address the situation.
I'm not sure how you might go about making the park experience less
stressful for your dog (if this is indeed what is going on), but perhaps you
could reward her in some way that she finds meaningful--perhaps with praise,
happy talk, petting, play, or treats, for brisk and cheerful walking through
the park. I would keep it short for the first few trips, perhaps only going
a short loop or going in for 5 minutes and then turning back and leaving.
These short successful trips might help to build her confidence.
Of course, it could be something else altogether in the park which is
causing the depressed response, like people playing ball or children on a
playground or bicycles. I once had a pet dog which was afraid of balloons
(presumably because they made a sudden loud noise when popped.) She
eventually extrapolated from balloons being scary to soap bubbles and then
to bubble gum bubbles and finally to anyone who was chewing gum, even
without bubbles being apparent. One day when a guest came to my home, we
wondered why our always friendly pet had not come to the door to greet the
guest, but hung back cringing under a table. Then I realized that the guest
was chewing gum, and once we explained to him that it was this that was
scaring Chiko, the gum was disposed of and Chiko came cheerfully out of her
hiding place to greet the guest with a wagging tail.
I don't like thinking of my mobility partner as being manipulative or
stubborn. I think these are personifications which project human traits and
psychology onto animals. I think it is more useful to look at the dog's
behavior as a possible unintended result of the dog's training or past
experience. Anyway, just thought I would toss the idea out to see how it
sounds to you.
Best of luck,
Ann
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:46 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the life of a guide dog
Thanks,
This is a good response. It seems a bit more like how my days are going
lately. My days are not packed full lately, but they do include of going to
the bank on one day, grocery another day, botanic garden visits on occasion
lately, occasional meetings, and I have just started a tutoring job which is
a weekly recurring appointment. I had hoped to enjoy my park as a daily
walk, which is a 3 mile walk. The problem is that she does not like to walk
around the park. Can you believe a dog that does not like to walk around the
park?
I have a wonderful park with a small pond, nice wide paved walkways that
wind all through and around the park, tree lined and only about 4 blocks
from my house. When we get to the park, Cass will slow to a trot that will
almost make me trip over her, her head sags and she will barely respond. I
have tried to make it a destination and stop halfway through, take the
harness off and put the lead on and play with a toy - and no good.
When we get home she is fine and wants to play. I know it is ridiculous but
she makes me feel guilty when we are not out working, which I just can't do
all day long, nor can I just play all day long. Which is why I started
asking this question to begin with. We work at least 5 hours a week at
least. When we are at home, we play at least another 2 hours a day. The rest
of the time she is next to me while I am on the computer, or listening to a
book, or listening to the TV. I live alone, and I have no yard so I do not
have a yard to let her run around in free for any length of time. I just
worry that she is bored, or that she is just manipulating me. I am not sure.
So I look to the group for information and advice because what better place
to look?
Daniel and Cass
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of d m gina
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:41 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the life of a guide dog
Hi there,
My dog dreams toys and more toys,
he wants to play after we are working.
Working can be going to the store, or y or anything I wish to do for the
day.
Just takeing a walk he also likes caving.
he is under my desk, near me while I am on the computer.
We play in our yard, When we have a pleasant day.
Maybe go to a coffee shop if you have one near by.
If you like that kind of thing.
Just to get out.
The dogs want to be with you, having you give them the extra love and care.
I'm very much involved with my church doing things from there, I hope some
of this helps.
Original message:
> Hi everybody,
> First off, I forgot to sign off on a message earlier, so sorry about that.
> Secondly, I have a question for everyone. I have noticed the focus of
> conversation has been on the schools, programs, staff cuts, etc..
> What I am curious about is how everyone lives with their dogs. What I
> mean is if you work, does your dog travel (walk) with you to your job?
> What
does
> the dog do for the rest of the day? What does the rest of the day look
like,
> how do you play?
> If you do not work, what do you and your dog do all of the day?
> What does a usual day look like?
> I have listened to the book, "Confession of a guide dog" narrated by
> Eric Sandvoldt that was mentioned recently on the list. I believe he
> was a graduate from GDB. That dog apparently travelled all over the
> place, which
I
> don't think is indicative of most of us.
> Some of us are older and do not get out as much, and our dogs don't
> get as much travel as others. In this case, how do you keep your dog
> exercised
and
> healthy, especially if you live in an apartment or live in a place
> without
a
> fenced in area for your dog to play in.
> What do your dogs do all day, and if they were to write a book, what
> would they say about their lives?
> Does this make any sense?
> The reason I ask this is because I am just now recovering from an
> illness that has kept me in bed for the last week. My girl has been
> unable to get out and work for a week. We have gone out to relieve and
> on a long lead,
but
> no work. I was curious to know how others handle down time, and what
happens
> when you slow down, and just don't feel like getting out.
> You can write off list if you don't think this is pertinent to the list.
> Thanks for any input. Curious minds need to know.
> Daniel and Cass - in freezing Denver (even in April - who would have
> thunk
> it)
> _______________________________________________
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--
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future
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