[nagdu] [NAGDU] Seeking information, new member interested in getting a dog guide

[Michael Hingson]

Hi Candy,

Welcome to the list.  I am the vice president of NAGDU and on behalf of the
board, welcome from all of us and all on the list.  I know you already have
received several emails, but since we all love to express ourselves here
goes.

Yes you are right in that the relationship is different.  My canes have
never given me kisses or independently wagged themselves or any part of
themselves.  I believe that if you are a good cane traveler then you are
well on your way to making a good guide dog traveler.  The biggest thing you
will have to do is to decide to put your trust in the dog.  I do not mean
that you give up control of your travel experience.  If, however, a guide
dog suddenly goes in a different direction than you expect, or swerves the
first reaction should be to follow the guide dog.  Most often the dog will
be guiding you around something or moving you in a way so that you can keep
going the way you wish.

Remember, using a guide dog is a team experience.  You are the team leader
in all that that entails.  You will be the coach, leader, cheer leader,
problem-solver, teacher (for the most part), and you will be the all around
navigator.  Your guide will be the pilot looking for you to provide specific
directions every step of the way.

Guide dogs take their job very seriously.  It is an extremely stressful job
witch most dogs handle well.  We can ease that stress by giving good
directions and working not to panic when things do not go as we expect or
when we give a wrong turn direction.  Stopping and in a calm voice working
out of an unexpected situation is always important.

Guide dogs can and do make mistakes.  They also do test us.  It is up to you
to set the boundaries and correct behavior.  So how is this different than
any parent/child relationship, or any employer/employee relationship?  It
isn't.

Working is an awesome responsibility, but it is an incredible experience and
one you will, I expect, come to enjoy.  I  have been using guide dogs for 50
years and 1 week today, (is that hard to believe or what?).  As others on
this list will tell you my guide dogs and I have been in, uh, interesting
situations.  I have lived in rural and urban environments.  I would not
trade using a guide dog for anything.

I hope this helps you.  Please feel free to contact me off list.  I just
moved from Novato to Victorville CA so I  know both Northern and Southern
California well.  My contact information is below.  Take care. 


Best,


Michael Hingson

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
"Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
To order Michael Hingson's new book, Running With Roselle, and check on
Michael Hingson's speaking availability for your next event please visit:
www.michaelhingson.com
 
To purchase your own portrait of Roselle painted by the world's foremost
animal artist, Ron Burns, please visit http://www.ronburns.com/roselle

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Candy Berg via
nagdu
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2014 11:14 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Seeking information, new member interested in getting a dog
guide

Hi All,

 

I  just joined this mailing list in hopes of getting some information
regarding dog guides and schools. I  am totally blind, been so all my life,
I've always wondered about switching from cane travel to dog guided travel
but with school, busy career, etc., I  never fully explored this option. I
want to do so now. We live in a  rural area, so my travel needs don't
involve heavy traffic situations, more open areas (rural roads and beaches)
which seem to me would lend themselves particularly well to dog guided
travel. I  love dogs and have always had them as pets; I  know a  dog guide
is a  completely different relationship and responsibility. The other reason
I'm investigating dog guides at this time is that my last pet dog died a few
months ago, so I  don't have the issue of introducing a  dog guide into a
household with a  pet already in residence. 

I would appreciate anyone's input on my situation, including thoughts about
schools; I'm especially interested in programs with some community training
element given the nature of where I  live and my travel needs. Any input
would be welcome, or suggestions where I  might research all this further. I
live in northern California. 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Best,

Candy 

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