[nagdu] First time poster

[Julie J.]

Laura,

Have you requested your professors to make such an announcement on the first 
day of classes?  They shouldn't be doing that unless you have specifically 
asked.  I'm with Tracy, in that I'd prefer to handle things myself as they 
come up.  I'm seriously uncomfortable when me and the dog are the center of 
attention.  I want to blend in as much as possible.  Different approaches 
work for different people though, so do what works for you, just be sure 
that you are deciding what that is and not someone else who thinks they know 
what is best for you.

Guide dogs will chose the most obvious path, even if it isn't exactly 90 
degrees and even if following that path doesn't take you in an absolute 
straight line.  If I come to a Y intersection at the park and I ask Monty to 
go left, he's not going to turn 90 degrees and go through the grass.  He'll 
take the 45 degree turn onto the obvious paved walkway.  The struggle is the 
stopping at these sorts of intersecting pathways.  There is no curb or 
obvious structure to let you know where you are, so it takes some knowledge 
of the area to be able to know which way to direct the dog.

As far as people petting or being a nuisance, the best bet is to strongly 
reinforce the dog's training in ignoring people when he/she is working. 
People like the positive reinforcement of their petting being appreciated by 
the dog.  If the dog looks at them and wags, it will encourage the petting. 
If the dog looks away and continues doing whatever it was previously doing, 
there is no payout for the petting and the person will generally quit.  that 
said there are some very persistent folks out there, however they are few 
and far between.  I'm not sure there is anything to be done about the 
nutters, but move out of their way as soon as is possible.

Your college professors are required to allow a guide dog into the 
classroom.  If they outright refuse you, there are lots of advocacy groups 
that can help.  If they allow your dog, but make your life unpleasant, that 
is a more difficult situation.  Still there are people that can help.  My 
approach is to go and do the things I'm interested in doing and to go to the 
places I'm interested in going.  I assume that there will be no problem. 
Almost all of the time that is the case.  On the extremely rare occasions 
that something comes up, I deal with it as seems appropriate as best as I 
can.

HTH and welcome to the list!
Julie