[nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

Fri Jan 4 13:01:05 UTC 2013

Thank you Daniel.
It sounds like you're in a tough situation.
Since GDDB is aware of this, and they pride themselves on good follow-up, I'd be telling them you need an instructor out to help you asap. If they can home train clients, they should be able to send someone out for say a week to help you. Tell them that you fear for the success of the team and you are getting no response.
Another option which you may not like is to contact Leader Dogs. I think that school produced your lemon dog, but you could tell them that you need their mobility services and ask if you could come up there for a week or if they could send someone to help you in your area.
I'd start with GDB who from my perspective is vested in this problem.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2013 6:25 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

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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