[nagdu] walking guide dogs?

[Danielle Larsen]

Hi all
I absolutely allow Trinity the opportunity to walk on leash out of harness at times
It's good practice for basic leash manners
I do not let her eliminate without a specific request or command, but she enjoys it and I feel as if it is a time for her to relax a little
When the harness is on she is responsible for a lot. I like to let her know we doesn't need to be responsible out of harness and that she can have her time to "be a dog" 

This decision seems based on dogs a lot to me. My dog kind of needs it but many others would experience a lot of co fusion and conflict if asked to have such differing roles
I don't think there is a correct or incorrect practice - just what works for the dog :)

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2013, at 11:28 AM, "Chantel Cuddemi" <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> Motley, my poodle, never goes for walks out of harness.
> 
> I tried it once, and he was insistent on leash guiding me, which is
> something Pilot Dogs discouraged us to let the dogs do in class. 
> 
> Chantel and Motley.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of GARY STEEVES
> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 6:35 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: [nagdu] walking guide dogs?
> 
> 
> Hi all:
> 
> This lack of speed thread has produced this interesting question for me to
> ask. I'm curious how many of you walk your dog on leash daily? I know when I
> was talking to my school about working on heeling Bogart while just on leash
> they were wondering why would I need to do that.
> 
> I take Bogart out for a walk in the morning on leash. If I'm heading to work
> then it is just half a block where he knows how much time he has to get busy
> or harness is on and we're on our way. At night I take him for a walk again
> before going to bed. These aren't long walks, about 15 - 20 minutes weather
> dependent. I use my cane for walking him. This is where he is allowed to be
> a sniffy dog but when he is in harness I do not allow him to be sniffy. At
> lunch at work we go in harness a block from here to the residential street
> where I take off his harness and we walk a block one direction and then back
> with him on leash. Then back in harness and off to lunch. After work it's
> all in harness until the block of my place and then harness off so he can
> sniff and relieve himself.
> 
> No judgements about right or wrong but I'm curious if others take their
> guide dogs for walks without the harness.
> 
> Cheers
> Gary
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jawsgirl87%40gmail.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dnlarsen75%40gmail.com