[nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
Alyssa
alyssahenson95 at gmail.com
Wed Apr 30 15:09:53 UTC 2014
I've dealt with the name factor a lot at college. People I didn't know would sometimes come up to me and say "Hi Sophie!" I should have changed my name to Sophie. Lol! Also, petting situations were frequent. I only allowed pets if I was sitting down waiting for something, such as a doctor appointment. Even then, most pets allowed were by kids. It was a great opportunity to explain to young children that I had a nice doggy with a special job. Sophie would lay quietly during these petting sessions to demonstrate what a good girl she could be. I had one little girl in a store so intrigued by Sophie's work, she said she wanted to train her dog to be a service dog. When people ask, I see it as an educational opportunity. Sophie wasn't bothered by name calling from others. She just went on her way. I too believe it depends on the dog's distraction level. Just my thoughts.
Alyssa
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 30, 2014, at 9:50 AM, Raven Tolliver <ravend729 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have learned that a name can be a very intimate thing to know about
> a person, or a dog for that matter. I do not only give a fake name for
> my dog, but in some situations, I also use an alias for myself. I have
> experienced far too much stalkerish behavior and obsessive
> questioning/attention-getting attempts to be so liberal with the
> giving out of my dog's name.
> I have trained my dog to ignore others making stupid noises at him.
> My petting policy will change from dog to dog. It will just depend on
> how much each dog is distracted by petting from strangers. The Golden
> Guy is not distracted by it, so I allow it from time to time.
> Julie, it may be possible that you don't get asked as often as others
> because you use a Dobie as your guide. Correct me if I'm wrong.
> I get asked most often by customers in grocery stores, and by people
> at the transit station or on the bus.
> Also, I'm totally with Vivianna on not wanting to interact with the
> public so much. I just want to go on about my business most days,
> rather than talk about my dog for half an hour. There is much more to
> me than just my dog.
> I understand that my dog is beautiful and irresistible, but at the
> same time, we are not a spectacle for everyone to gawk at, swoon over,
> and prattle on about. I am not an exhibit at some zoo or something, I
> am a human being. I would appreciate it if I was treated with the same
> dignity as others without a dog.
>
>
>> On 4/30/14, Larry D. Keeler <lkeeler at comcast.net> wrote:
>> The not using the dogs name comes from the fact that some folks will call
>> your dog while your working. I'me actually had this happen. People whom you
>>
>> don't know will often say hi or tell your dog to do things. The name thing
>> is so that people whom you don't want calling your dog will be slightly less
>>
>> distracting to the dog. Also, I've had lots of folks who remember Holly's
>> name but not mine. Sometimes I'm kind of annoyed by that. I, mostly don't
>> use a different name except the Nose. I'll do that when I am around folks
>> who I don't really want to hear her name. There is no right way to control
>> petting and other human distractions. I take them individually and deal with
>>
>> them accordingly. If folks are being purposely ignorant, then I am as well.
>>
>> If they are just curious and really don't know, then I deal with that as
>> well. Also, it depends on how many folks you meet in a day. Also, keep in
>> mind that dogs like people are all different. Some like people more than
>> others. I have a friend who went to a school, came home and after a couple
>> of years was having issues with his dog. The main issue was that his dog was
>>
>> dragging him out in the street. Turns out that he was letting women pet his
>>
>> dog in the harrness and when women were walking on the opposite side of the
>>
>> street, he wanted to go for a visit. The behavior was corrected but I for
>> one don't really want to take the chance of helping Holly develop bad or
>> unsafe behaviors.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kristen" <kskristen at gmail.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 9:19 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>
>>
>>> I agree with you completely; I'm having trouble understanding the changing
>>>
>>> the name thing. My family calls Corvette Cory for short, and he has
>>> already starting coming to that. You wouldn't want to confuse them more
>>> with a totally different name. And, as you said, the dog would still know
>>>
>>> someone is talking to it. You still can give the correct name, but
>>> politely ask them not to talk to your guide, which will educate them at the
>>>
>>> same time.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kristen
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Nicole Torcolini" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 19:31:55 -0700
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>> Honestly, I don't get the name game. If you talk to or about a dog, the
>>> dog
>>> is smart enough to know, regardless of if the name is used. Furthermore,
>>>
>>> as
>>> others have already pointed out, it only takes the dog so long to figure
>>> it
>>> out if you use another name.
>>> When people ask about the name of your dog, they are not trying to make
>>> trouble. If you think that the person is going to use the name, then you
>>> could say something like, "My dog is named ..' but please don't talk to
>>> him/her." Some people are going to talk to your dog regardless of what
>>> you
>>> say or if you give the name. I would rather give the name and have to
>>> explain to the person than not give the name; otherwise, people will
>>> never
>>> learn. I have told a lot of people that my dog is named Lexia, many of
>>> whom
>>> were complete strangers who I probably will never see again, so it does
>>> not
>>> really matter. Only a few of the people with whom I interact on a
>>> regular
>>> basis talk to Lexia, and they only do it when I say it is okay to talk to
>>> her or when she is not in harness.
>>> I usually let people pet Lexia in harness if they ask. Luckily, I have
>>> not
>>> had too many people try to pet her without asking. I usually do not let
>>> people pet her if we are standing up, especially if we are about to go
>>> somewhere any minute. When people pet Lexia, she is in a sit or
>>> preferably a
>>> down position, and she stays by me. I do not allow her to crawl toward
>>> the
>>> person who is petting her. If she does, then I gently pull her back. If
>>>
>>> the
>>> behavior continues, then the visiting session is over.
>>> I don't really like little kids petting Lexia, particularly the ones who
>>> get
>>> excited as soon as they see her. However, on occasion, I do hear the
>>> opposite where the child tells the parent that it is a working dog and
>>> not
>>> to bother it, which I find quite amusing.
>>> I used to have a sign to the harness handle. I don't remember what it
>>> said.
>>> It did not really help. The people who want to pet your dog are going to
>>>
>>> pet
>>> you dog regardless of if there is a sign, so the best that you can do is
>>> ask
>>> them not to pet your dog and do something, such as move away, if they
>>> don't
>>> listen. You can also try to train your dog to ignore people.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla Rogers
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 6:24 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>> Dear Rox'e,
>>>
>>> Thank you so much for sharing a whole different perspective on
>>> petting and setting up one's dog to respond to what you need and not
>>> what
>>> you don't, and it surely helps to have cooperative coworkers who
>>> understand
>>> and support what you are doing.
>>> Darla & Happy Huck
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The Pawpower
>>> Pack
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 10:19 AM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>> I have never given a false name for my dogs. I would think they'd just
>>> hear
>>> me cueing my dog using her real name and would know it anyway. Also, I'd
>>> probably forget and give different names to the same person. lol.
>>> Part of the work I do with my dogs is setting they up for this exact
>>> situation. If someone calls Laveau's name and she does not know them
>>> well,
>>> she will ignore it. If she knows them, she will let me know that someone
>>>
>>> we
>>> know is calling her and I can choose to have her take me to them or just
>>> go
>>> on our way.
>>> Soleil is learning the same skills, and my friends, coworkers and
>>> interpreters help me by setting up situations like are being described.
>>> Since I can't hear, I can't police Soleil's interaction with the public
>>> like
>>> a hearing person. I have to trust my dog to be able to work through
>>> distractions like that.
>>>
>>> Rox and the kitchen Bitches:
>>> Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
>>> Pawpower4me at gmail.com
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Apr 29, 2014, at 9:35 AM, "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Have not changed my pet policy. I'll tell folks I know her name and
>>> sometimes I'll take her harrness off so she can interact with others.
>>> However, I usually ignore folks whom I don't know. I don't make up names
>>> often although I have been known to.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Raven Tolliver"
>>> <ravend729 at gmail.com
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 10:23 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>>
>>> Oh yes! It annoys me to no end when people ask what my dog's name is.
>>> I just tell them his name is K, or the most comical one I've been
>>> using is Celestial Seasonings. Got the idea from a woman whose
>>> golden's name is Lipton. So cute. But I tell people Celestial
>>> Seasonings, and no one is inclined to even call him. Probably 'cause
>>> they know I'm bs-ing them. Most of my acquaintances and classmates
>>> here on campus don't even know the Golden Guy's name.
>>>
>>> On 4/29/14, minh ha <minh.ha927 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I was very strict about not letting anyone pet Viva when I first
>>> came home with her, but I've relaxed my stance since then. Obviously
>>> I don't let anyone touch her when we're working, but if we're just
>>> sitting somewhere and someone asks to pet her, I will generally let
>>> them. I do tell them that if she gets too excited, then the meet and
>>> greet is over. it's also a great way for me to teach her
>>> self-control and obedience since I'll make her lay down and stay.
>>>
>>> Minh
>>>
>>> On 4/29/14, The Pawpower Pack <pawpower4me at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> With Soleil, I have used petting as a practice time for self control.
>>> She
>>> loves people, and right at first, I knew that I was going to just
>>> have to restrict all petting, or use the petting as an exercise.
>>> Since I'm Deafblind, people tend to just pet because they are not
>>> getting my attention with me by asking unless I'm with a hearing
>>> person.
>>> So if I have time to allow petting, I first tell her down. I tell
>>> the person wanting to pet that she can only be pet in a down and
>>> that if she gets up, they are to stop, I thank them for helping me
>>> with her training, so they feel good. They pet her and then in mid
>>> pet I ask her to come away and touch my hand and click and treat.
>>> She is a lab, so would rather eat than lay and get petted. And her
>>> getting up ends the session. If people pet without asking she will
>>> turn to me.
>>> My coworkers and friends also help in this exercise as well.
>>> Because I'm Deafblind and a lot of my friends are deafblind, and I
>>> work with deafblind children, she has to learn to be touched
>>> without coming unhinged with joy. Deafblind people are a pretty
>>> tactile lot and if a deafblind child has never seen a guide dog,
>>> they can look at her-- with their
>>> hands--
>>> and learn. So far, Soleil's doing really well!
>>>
>>> Rox and the kitchen Bitches:
>>> Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
>>> Pawpower4me at gmail.com
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Apr 29, 2014, at 6:41 AM, "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Generally I just say, "No, but thank you for asking." I smile and
>>> make it seem like them asking was a wonderful thing. Then I move
>>> on. Standing there will encourage a discussion or debate or
>>> whatever, moving on indicates that you don't want to discuss your
>>> no petting rule and it also reinforces that you need to get stuff
>>> done and don't have time for petting.
>>>
>>> I do allow petting on occasion. If I do I let the person know
>>> it's up to Monty if he wants to be petted. I give Monty his
>>> release cue and let him approach if he wants. Usually he will
>>> give the person a perfunctory sniff and he's done. Every now and
>>> then he will back away from the person, which is kind of
>>> embarrassing, but they get it that he doesn't want to be petted.
>>> He's not very into meet and greet with people though, so this
>>> works.
>>>
>>> Last week I was in the grocery store and there was a Mom with
>>> about four kids. The kids wanted to pet Monty and asked their
>>> Mom. Usually parents just say the dog is working and leave it
>>> alone, but this Mom went on a complete tirade. I thought the kids
>>> were perfectly well behaved in asking their Mom first if they
>>> could approach me to ask if they could pet, but Mom really lit
>>> into them. Then she was on to another topic and how horrible the
>>> kids were and on and on and on. So about four isles later I
>>> asked one of the kids if he would like to pet the dog. It made
>>> the kids day. I can't remember the last time I've offered petting
>>> to a kid, but I really felt bad for them.
>>>
>>> When I talk to people about guide dogs or if I'm doing a
>>> presentation or something, I always stress that dogs are different
>>> and people are different, but asking is always okay. the answer
>>> might be no but politely asking and respecting the answer is good.
>>> It's interesting that I rarely have issues with kids. It's adults
>>> that have issues with self control.
>>>
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Darla Rogers
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 1:36 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>> Thank you Raven and Michael; I believe, and several others have
>>> also states this practice, just not to allow it while we are out
>>> working.
>>> I don't owe the general public anything; if they want to pet a
>>> dog, the shelters are crying for volunteers to socialize their
>>> dogs; on the other hand, if it raises money for my school. <tongue
>>> firmly in cheek> Very Gratefully, Darla & Handsome Huck
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>>> Hingson
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 12:40 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I do not permit anyone to pet Africa while she is in harness. If
>>> people
>>> want to pet her and I have the time I will remove her harness and
>>> then allow petting. If I do not have time I politely explain that
>>> while the harness is on she is working and cannot be petted and
>>> that I do not have time to remove it now. Especially when people
>>> go along with my wishes I thank them very much. If people still
>>> insist on petting Africa I will get more stern.
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>>
>>> Michael Hingson
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla
>>> Rogers
>>> Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 10:22 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> Users
>>> Subject: [nagdu] Changing my Petting Policy
>>>
>>> Hi everyone,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The Handsome Huck is a people magnet and peo9ple are
>>> magnets for him; there is some petting--last time going through a
>>> revolving door--and I used to let him sit and be petted, but I
>>> don't believe
>>> this
>>> is
>>> in the best interest of our working relationship?
>>>
>>> Any ideas? Strategies? Explanations?
>>>
>>> Darla & Mister Socialite
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Darla J. Rogers
>>>
>>> djrogers0628 at gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>> --
>>> Raven
>>>
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>
> --
> Raven
>
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