[nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

Fri Jan 4 00:39:27 UTC 2013

That does sound tricky, Daniel. I wish you the very best of luck.

Is it possible for your field representative to take a look at your area? One of my instructors actually used google earth to view my area and offered suggestions for better, straighter crossings.

Shannon and Ace
Shannon Dyer
Alumni Council Member,
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc
®  and
America's VetDogs®,  The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc ®
Providing "Second Sight" ® since 1946
371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787
Office: 631-930-9000, Toll-free: 866-282-8047
solsticesinger at gmail.com
To make a donation that can change a life...contact the Guide Dog Foundation at
www.guidedog.org 
or America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps at
www.vetdogs.org
Visit us on facebook at: 
www.facebook.com/GuideDogFoundation or www.facebook.com/AmericasVetDogs

On Jan 3, 2013, at 6:24 PM, "Daniel" <daniel.sweeney1 at comcast.net> wrote:

> Hi Rebecca,
> When I applied to GDB back I  May, I said I would be available when they had
> an opening. They placed me in this class. After speaking to my field rep,
> she said that in hindsight it probably was not the optimal time, but the
> weather here had been so mild up to this point, and I have to agree to that.
> 
> I moved about a year ago, and lost Scout about 9 months ago. It is true, I
> have not worked the area as much as I should have, and when I did, it was at
> a very slow pace. The roads were all clear though, and easy to navigate. I
> had no idea that the new city services were so insufficient as to keeping
> the curb areas clear. The new area is very car oriented and not so
> pedestrian friendly. I do have to travel several blocks to get to a bus
> stop, and they all seem to be in shaded areas that do not receive sun, and
> therefore do not clear of the snow and ice very well at all. To top that,
> the curbs are rounded with ramps to the center, and the dog wants to find
> the curb edge, which may be further off the direction of the crosswalk -
> which confuses my positioning somewhat.
> 
> My footwork is all good, my guideword is all good. I was commended on this.
> I just have some issues with some of the most critical corners I need to
> work, so I need to have someone help me with them. When I try to explain to
> someone what the training consists of, I must not explain myself plainly
> enough because they do not understand, or they try to put me at the middle
> of the ramp, which messes me up more. I am just frustrated right now, and I
> do not want to pass my frustration on to Cass. She is so good, and I do not
> want to teach her my bad habits. I want to reinforce her good work, not my
> fiddling around at a curb with a cane.
> 
> I have a trekker which tells me which tells me my direction, next
> intersection, etc., but it does not say you are facing exactly 90 degrees at
> the intersection, and you are right at the curb. I would be the first person
> to buy that unit. The intersections are huge, and the lights are short, and
> when there is a such a combination of curb, no curb, tactile marker, flat
> surface, no marker - and ice cover to boot, it gets difficult.
> 
> Daniel and Cass
> 
> 
> Daniel Sweeney
> Lakewood, CO
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Pickrell, Rebecca
> M (TASC)
> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 11:19 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> 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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