[nagdu] Navigating Ice

Sun Jan 5 13:54:52 UTC 2014

    Hi, sorry, I forgot to add the info... Andy
      SlipResistant.net
      1904 Redwood Avenue
      Wyomissing, PA 19610


Telephone: 1-610-670-2549

Fax: 610-670-7372

Email: customerservice at slipresistant.net


-----Original Message----- 
From: Aleeha Dudley
Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 7:56 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Navigating Ice

Hi,
     I find ice to be a bit intimidating, especially in the street. I
slip and slide a lot, but find that if I just go with the flow and let
what will happen happen, I don't fall nearly as hard or as often. I
wear a good set of boots and Dallas won't wear his because he
literally will stop working in the middle of the sidewalk. He has
learned, after a couple of close calls, to slow down when he sees ice
or feels me slip.
Hope this helps,
Aleeha

On 1/4/14, Tami Jarvis <tami at poodlemutt.com> wrote:
> Jessica,
>
> This is our second year of dealing with ice, too. I have the same sort
> of nervousness, which also causes me to make things worse for both of
> us. I got some nice walking boots with good tread this year, which has
> helped cut down on the slipping and sliding. I still find it hard to
> keep to a balanced walk, though, and in a lot of places, like parking
> lots, I'm freaked out about whatever else may be slipping and sliding
> around... And I feel blind in a winter hat because of what it does to my
> echolocation and stuff. Ridiculous! /lol/
>
> Mitzi doesn't like to slow down, either, but I have noticed that she
> takes an interesting approach to ice and to the wind that likes to blow
> her around in these parts. She still wants to move faster than I do, but
> she also does a sort of zigzag dance that actually helps me stay
> balanced and cuts down on slipping for me. If I can get a grip on myself
> and go with her, walking is much easier. I'm working on it.
>
> The tension in the harness handle can also help me balance, and the one
> time I started to take an *ss over teakettle slip, she pulled me
> upright. Whew! But she's only 54 pounds, and most of that is leg, so I
> don't like the idea of putting that sort of physical strain on her.
>
> Part of our yard turns into an ice sheet this time of year, so that
> gives me a place to practice walking on that kind of surface without the
> dog so I can find my own balance. I keep my weight more forward than
> under normal conditions, which helps. If I remember to adjust that
> posture to how I walk with the guide dog, I seem to be more stable and
> can build confidence slowly.
>
> To make up for being such a nervous nellie, I give Mitzi lots of extra
> praise and reward, too. It's not her fault I'm a dolt. /lol/
>
> Don't know if that helps, but that's what I've learned so far. When I
> can't avoid the ice and wind, of course. That's still my favorite method
> of dealing with it. /grin/
>
> Tami
>
> On 01/04/2014 03:38 PM, Jessica Diaz PC wrote:
>> Hello Everyone,
>>
>> The subject says it all. This winter is my second living here. It is the
>> first time I have seen or walked on ice. It is scary. More than that, can
>> someone provide things I can do to help Saunders? He won't slow no matter
>> what I try and constantly bounces on his feet which I am sure mean
>> they're
>> cold. He won't ware his boots for anything so is there something I can
>> use
>> to make his feet feel better? I know slow is the key and I try but I
>> think
>> my nervousness doesn't help the situation. It sounds stupid but it is a
>> foreign thing to me. Thanks so much for all the help.
>>
>> Jessica Diaz
>>
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>
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