[nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

Thu Jan 3 19:35:30 UTC 2013

Tracy,

So what you're saying is that it is not the dogs that need practice in 
snow, but us humans? /lol/

That's what I'm finding. Mitzi is being quick about figuring out that 
ice and snow are problematic for her clumsy, geeky sidekick. The geeky 
sidekick has a hard time kicking herself out the door to learn to work 
with her clever guide on the matter! Teehee.

My real concern with her inexperience in snow/ice is that she hasn't had 
a lot of opportunity to see cars (here, that means big *ss pickups) 
skate through intersections where we might be waiting to cross... She's 
brilliant with traffic, but this new risk is one she may not have 
grasped yet. So especially when the wind is blowing and mucking up my 
orientation and ability to be sure I've detected and located vehicles 
that may or may not reliably stop, depending on ice, I'm not confident 
in myself at all for making crossing decisions...

What I'm currently working on with her in our short jaunts in our safe 
little quiet neighborhood is making sure I can do my part without 
transferring my lack of confidence in myself to her in an unhealthy way. 
I love her super sensitivity, but I do have to be aware of it when I'm 
having strong emotion and stuff.

Ah, well. What is life without these little adventures to break up the 
boring sense of safety and security? /lol/

Tami

On 01/03/2013 05:36 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
> 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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