[nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

Thu Jan 3 15:22:33 UTC 2013

Or maybe I was in the habit of going boldly where I'd never gone before, and 
not worrying about it.  But it's true I hadn't had a lemon dog at that time.
But, even now, when I'm a bit more timid, I find that the worrying I do 
about going somewhere new is really out of proportion to the situation, and 
I would do better to skip the worry, pick up the harness, and go.  Which is 
what I remind myself of, when it comes up.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

> Right but didn't Dan have a bad experience with a dog? I bring it up 
> because given that experience maybe he'd have done better to get a dog 
> when he wouldn't have to adjust to a new dog, as well as snow? I think he 
> also says he has recently moved so his area is not familiar to him?
> You have good stuff to say, and it probably applies if you have a typical 
> situation, your dog experiences were within the norm, and you were 
> familiar with your area.
> Sounds like Dan is outside the scope of the typical situation which is 
> fine, I'm just wondering how he got to where he is now, and why.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 8:36 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom
>
> Rebecca, I don't agree with you about needing practice in snow.  I had 5
> dogs from GDB San Rafael, the first 2 while I was living in Minnesota.  I
> did not find the lack of practice working in snow to be a problem.  In 
> fact,
> I was delighted with the work of my dogs in snow.  It was a whole lot 
> easier
> dealing with deep snow with a dog than it was with a cane. I used to call 
> my
> first dog and myself "the six-footed snow leaper" because of the ease with
> which we got around and climbed the big mounds at the street corners.
> My GDB dogs were mostly raised in states where they'd seen snow.  The one
> who wasn't had been taken to see some by her raisers.
> I think people make a big deal out of having a dog that's worked in snow 
> in
> training, but in my experience it's just not that important.  As someone
> pointed out to me, last time this came up on the list, the dog I got from
> TSE in September had probably never worked in snow.  Didn't make any
> difference in his winter work. It didn't make any difference with my GDB
> dogs, either, that I ever saw.
> The purpose of training is to give one the range of skills needed to deal
> with whatever comes up, not to give one every possible experience.
> Tracy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 1:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom
>
>
>>        Do you have some kind of GPS that would tell you the names of
>> buildings you were passing? this could help you stay oriented.
>> You may want to carry a folding cane that you can pull out when need be.
>> I wouldn't stay in and not work Cass.
>> If I can be so bold, why did you get a dog right as winter as beginning?
>> If you aren't comfortable in snow, and you know this, and you know you
>> need to get out and about, why did you get a dog from a school where you
>> can't practice snow conditions?
>> I'm not asking to pick on you, I'm truly curious. Also, this is something
>> most of us need to think about when we think of when to get a new dog, 
>> and
>> which school to get that dog from.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 1:04 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: [nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom
>>
>> Hi guys,
>>
>>
>>
>> Just a quick note/question.
>>
>>
>>
>> We cam back from GDB on 12/16/12. So far everything has gone very well.
>> The
>> weather conditions have not been optimal, but bearable.
>>
>>
>>
>> Since I am fairly new to my area, and not real comfortable with working 
>> in
>> the snow and ice conditions when it comes to identifying my curb 
>> locations
>> when they are covered up, I have a couple of questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> First, do you think I should just wait for a person to work with me as
>> guide
>> in order to work Cass perfectly to the curb locations? Or, do you think I
>> should heal her with my cane, and muddle through and locate what I 
>> believe
>> to be the curb location?
>>
>> I am having difficulties with my positioning due to the ice build up. If 
>> I
>> am confused, I know I will transfer my confusion on her.
>>
>>
>>
>> If I do not work her, and we just stay in and do play and exercise and
>> obedience drills, then I worry about her boredom and building up too much
>> pent up energy. A dilemma for sure.
>>
>>
>>
>> What do others do in inclement weather? Especially with a new dog?
>>
>>
>>
>> I have good o and m skills as a rule, so I don't know why this season is
>> such a challenge for me. Maybe it is because I finally have such a good
>> dog,
>> I want to train her correctly, and learn the routes, and I am stressing
>> because of my disorientation.
>>
>>
>>
>> The problem is the bus stop is several blocks away, and these are the
>> corners I am having issues with. I am having a hard time finding anyone
>> available to travel with me for a day or two due to the holiday
>> interruption. Hopefully I will have someone in a few days, so I am just
>> trying to make it through a few more days.
>>
>>
>>
>> Should I just keep playing, or keep the rules fairly strict? I can do the
>> retractable leash in the back for about 15-20 minutes a time at least
>> twice
>> a day, and tug and games a couple of times a day, a couple sets of
>> exercise
>> drills, but she seems so anxious, which makes me the same.
>>
>>
>>
>> Just nervous and preoccupied here, and looking for suggestions. Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>> Daniel and Cass
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Daniel Sweeney
>>
>> Lakewood, CO
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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