[nagdu] Relieving in and out of harness WAS Re: My guy dog: introduction

Thu Aug 21 02:35:31 UTC 2014

I remove Lexia's harness when relieving  her. I agree that nothing
*inhibits* a dog from doing business, but a dog will learn that certain
behaviors are not supposed to be exhibited when in harness. Even though I do
tell Lexia, "Do your business", removing the harness and then letting her
step onto grass/bark is a nonverbal queue for her to do her business, so it
also has to do with communication for us. The one time that I remember Lexia
pooping in harness was about a month after I got her. I do not remember if
she tried to warn me or not as I had not learned all of her body language
yet. I don't think that she even pulled over. It was one of those, I have to
go ... Now ... Like it or not, so I am going to go. Luckily, it was outside.
It was my fault, not hers. We were still a new team, so I had not figured
out a good schedule yet.

Lexia still chases her tail some, but not as much as when she was young.
And, yes, she used to do the whole catch-it-and-keep-going thing. She will
also chew on her tail if you hold it for her where she can reach it.

As for the pooping in harness, I would do what people have told you to do.
As he is still very new, take him out often, like six or seven or maybe even
eight times a day and then have a party about it when he does his business.
Stimulation does make dogs need to do their business, so, if he has not done
his business before heading out for the day, be prepared to stop along the
way. Finally, how is his stool? If his stool is irregular--soft, hard, small
amounts very often--it could be indicative of some other problem such as
needing a different food. Then again, things might just be topsy turby
because it's a new environment with new smells and new people ... I will
say, though, that fifteen months is really young. Try to be really patient
with him for a few months as he matures a little.

Nicole

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daryl Marie via
nagdu
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 7:36 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Relieving in and out of harness WAS Re: My guy dog:
introduction

I wonder if part of the logic of removing the harness is that the dog is not
in public places without the harness.  In harness, for example, the dog is
not to get super sniffy, but most dogs do a bit of sniffing before
relieving, so maybe this sends mixed messages to the dog?

it took me about six months to be able to fully grasp Jenny's "I have to
goooooo!" signals. She has only ever done her business once in harness, on a
public sidewalk, when I was just not paying attention to the signals. it has
been the only time she has ever done such a thing.

When I first brought Jenny home, she actually relieved downstairs in the
basement. I was horrified, the trainer was puzzled, and we started putting
up a screen over the top of the basement stairs.

We have a couple of theories here:
1) The cats litter box is downstairs, so perhaps Jenny thinks relieving is
acceptable?
2) The previous owners of our house had rabbits, a dog, etc., and we know
they kept the dog in one room of the house. The dog peed on the floor so
much that that room only has a subfloor. We aren't sure if the dog relieved
in the basement, but those people were real slobs, so nothing surprises us.

In any event... Clare, congratulations on your new dog... he sounds sooooooo
young! 15 months? WOW!

All the best!

Daryl
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Weiner via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: clarebearwest at gmail.com, 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association
of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 07:25:11 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: [nagdu] My guy dog: introduction

First of all, my heartiest congratulations to you on your being matched with
the Quincy Boy.
What a cute sounding dog.
He still I'm sure has a lot of puppy in him but I am sure he'll settle down.
Now as far as relieving in harness.
One big problem is that the schools don't teach the dogs to pull over or to
do anything to indicate the need to relieve.
What I think your main goal should be is not to think he will just stop
needing to go while walking,   but to try to learn his signs and give him
extra times while walking and reward him a lot for going to the bathroom
when you want him too and not just stopping in the middle and plop plop fizz
fizz--smile.
Some dogs speed up, some slow down, some start sniffing more, some pull over
to the side, during a walk try to stop at several good places and get him to
relieve and act like the lottery was just won if he does what he needs to do
then.

I have never agreed with the position that the harness is a natural urine
and defecation inhibitor...dogs walk and their system is stimulated and
things happen.

Good luck.

Here's what I'm thinking, figure out when during the walk this happens, try
him several times around that time and get him hopefully to have the paws,
or is it pause that refreshes.

Dan the man, Parker the dog

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Clare Westlund
via nagdu
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 8:52 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] My guy dog: introduction

Sent from my iPhone hi everyone! I return home this past day. I spent the
last 3 1/2 weeks in Columbus Ohio at pilot dogs. I received a 75 pound male
golden retriever named Quincy! And I are doing wonderfully. He's good work
has been stellar except for the fact that he is unsure trashbags and he
loves to pick up leaves. To play with his bone and spin in circles and
chases tail! He is only 15 months old! He has a tendency to poop in harness.
I am trying to figure out why that is. Perhaps it is stress? I am not sure.
He only pooped in once while in training with me on the walk.
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