[nagdu] My turn to go to school

[Nicole Torcolini]

I agree with everything that has been said.
On the subject of beds, not only may your dog not need a particular bed, you
also should wait and see what size dog you get. Another factor is that, if
you get one that has a lot of stuffing, your dog might decide to tear it up.
Luckily, when Lexia came home, she got used to her surroundings  quickly and
easily without stressing out and doing bad things, but new surroundings and
stress can cause dogs to behave in ways that they would not usually.
See what type of brush you get from the school, but I would recommend also
getting a flea comb and a furminator. The zoom groom just is not enough
sometimes, especially if you get a lab.
Finally, for me anyway, the other must is a crate. Some people just use the
tie downs, but I have never really liked this. Lexia never learned not to
tie herself up in it. There are several different types and sizes of crates,
so definitely wait until you get your dog to get the crate.
Have you had a pet dog before this?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 1:16 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] My turn to go to school

Hi,
I can't stress the walking before you go. You might think you walk enough
now, but the new type of walking is what gets you. You will be bending your
foot up at the curb, and then down again so many times it will work muscles
you didn't know you had. You will be doing a lot of footwork, pointing to
curbs, sides of pavement and the like. Just do the exercises that stretch
your calf and hamstring muscles. A woman in my class did sets of figure 8's
all the time. Unfortunately I was not prepared and came back with serious
Planter's problems. It hurt for weeks afterwards. So, please do not take
this lightly.
As for getting ready, just have food, bags, and plan on where you are going
to relieve your dog on a regular basis. It will be the first thing you do
when you get home, so be ready to make a bee line to that spot. The new baby
may or may not like a bed, so wait before you spend the money. You will
probably get a mat; this will do until you are home for a bit. They will
probably give you grooming tools too, so wait to spend money on those too.
Who knows about the house? Common sense says put the trash cans away or put
lids on them, put up the small stuff that might look like a toy, but after
that it depends on the dog. My first dog never bothered a thing from the day
he came home. I could leave anything on the floor, table, floor and he would
leave it alone. Now with Cass it is different story. She will leave
everything alone with the exception of something on the floor that looks
like a toy - like a plastic cover, foil pan and the most repeated thievery
of all is my socks. My socks disappear at every turn, when I get up in the
morning they are gone, but I usually find them in her bed. If not there they
are on her bed downstairs. What can I say; the girl has a thing for my
socks.
What I don't think you will ever have to worry about is the dog being
destructive. Maybe a bit mischievous at times, but I doubt that anything
will ever be demolished. It seems all of the getting in to is just a bit of
fun.
Hope my 2 cents helps a little.

Daniel and Cass
Lakewood, Colorado

Happiness is a warm guide dog!

  

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 3:22 PM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: [nagdu] My turn to go to school

Dear all,
After several years of planning and a few of waiting, in is finally my turn
to go to guide dog school. I will be going to GDF for the July class! I am
very excited and nervous. In planning for my dog, I am making a list of
things to get and do, so what are your top three suggestions for things to
do before getting my dog, and what is something you think is important to
get after coming home? 
I have already decided on Blue Buffalo for guy food, and will be trying to
puppy-proofing my apartment. I would welcome any resources on doing that as
well. 
Excited,
Jewel 

Typed with Fleksy
reply://herekittykat2@gmail.com



Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/daniel.sweeney1%40co
mcast.net


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecab
le.com