[nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom

Fri Jan 4 23:35:39 UTC 2013

 HI  glad to hear that all worked out for you!

On Jan 4, 2013, at 3:26 PM, Tami Jarvis wrote:

> Daniel,
> 
> Good job! Glad you're getting it wrangled. And that you're sharing your adventures in doing so with the rest of us. I've learned a lot myself from the discussion, even though I'm doing a small town version with much less snow and with a dog I already know and trust. So I'm going through some of the same thought processes and figuring out new logistics and thus giving myself the willies, but... You're doing it moreso on a larger scale! Go, guy! /lol/
> 
> We'll be getting new snow over the old snow, I guess, so I will get to practice not falling on my tender, er, whatever successfully. That's my big deal, only... I'm remembering from back when I was newer to cane travel and a higher partial than I am now, so that the sudden optical illusion of the snowy ground really, really threw me off in every way. I would do sleepshade work, but by then I already had messed with my own head... Sigh. Now I'm still doing it but getting over it by having snow to walk on again without giving myself optical illusions...
> 
> So, you're doing better than me! And overcoming those bad experiences with your new girl, Cass. I am so happy to hear about your ongoing successes!
> 
> Tami
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 01/04/2013 09:52 AM, Daniel wrote:
>> Hi Rebecca,
>> I will be having my field trainer out the first week of February. Until then
>> I think I will be fine with limited working.
>> Yesterday I had a friend over who walked with me for a couple of hours which
>> helped immensely. It just takes a bit of confidence building.
>> I have several outings planned for next week, which I hope will spawn some
>> new opportunities for me to make some new connections.
>> Combined with these, I feel I can wait until February 1st for my trainer.
>> 
>> I really don't feel I need a refresher o and m course, as my cane work is
>> good. I just need to work my area a whole lot more with someone. Since I had
>> my regular 4 routes down pat during the summer, I just had no idea they
>> would be so difficult in winter.
>> 
>> The bright side is no really bad weather in the immediate future. In fact,
>> we have some 40's in store for a few days.
>> 
>> My outlook is getting a bit brighter.
>> 
>> Thanks for all of your input. As far as Leader Dog, IMHO, they can take a
>> flying <blank>.
>> 
>> 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: Friday, January 04, 2013 6:01 AM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] new dog, new surroundings, boredom
>> 
>> 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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> 
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