[nagdu] Trust and traffic

[Nicole Torcolini]

There are audible pedestrian  crossing signals (APCS) at the three
intersections that I use most. The other one is a four way stop, so I wait
for the all quiet. At the ones with the signals, Lexia sometimes wants to go
as soon as our signal rings, but I don't let her go without the okay from
me.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tami Jarvis
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 8:51 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Trust and traffic

Hey, all!

My city-trained dog and I have been doing more work in our small town,
adjusting to the more relaxed and, well, empty environment. All the peace
and quiet and lack of constant whizzing traffic and crowds is totally
stressing me out. /lol/

Without all that auditory feedback I'm used to, I have no clue what is going
on, what is what, or what traffic is doing besides being fairly random.
Heaven forbid the wind blows, because then I am really uncertain!

I've always tried to stick closely to the rule that I am the one to decide
when to cross the street, using my hearing, but counting on Mitzi for
traffic checks. She has never totally agreed with this approach, so she
always lets me know when she thinks it's time to cross. I did convince her
to wait until I tell her "forward" to actually go, which took some doing.
/lol/ I have noticed that she is as close to always right as makes no never
mind. Even when I decide to wait because I'm not sure, when things sort
themselves out I will realize we could have gone safely with time to spare
when she cued me.

I suddenly remembered that over the past few years, the guide dog programs
have been providing more and more dogs to folks who also have hearing loss.
Doesn't that require different means of judging traffic and deciding with
the dog when to cross the street?

I would love to hear how others handle the decision to step into the street
with their guides!

Tami

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