[nagdu] Thanks and request for input about dog guide with other family members

[Raven Tolliver]

At Guiding eyes, they put it perfectly: your dog must understand that
you are the primary provider of all good things. They recommend that
for the 1st 2-4 weeks, you limit your dog's interactions with others.
And when something like playing with or petting from others is
involved, you are always present and decide whether it occurs or not.
This way, your dog associates you with everything good and looks to
you as provider and leader.
As Buddy said, your family members will not be allowed to interact
with the dog while it is on duty. You must drive home that when the
harness is on, you are the sole source of praise and direction.
Explain that otherwise, they are distracting the dog and preventing it
from working properly.
Please also explain about table scraps. The problem with table scraps
is that they encourage begging and scavenging. I think almost all of
us slip extra food in our dogs bowls, but that food is coming from us
and is noted. Any food that our dog receives from others off the plate
or in the kitchen can cause behavioral issues, and health challenges
depending on what it is. And if a dog is eating more than its daily
allowance without our knowledge, then weight gain can become an issue.


On 7/12/14, Buddy Brannan via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Other family members absolutely can interact with your dog. Perhaps you
> should limit that for the first little while when you get home, just so your
> dog understands that ultimately, direction comes from you. That doesn't mean
> your family can't be friends with your dog, because they can and should. It
> does, however, mean that your dog needs to understand that you, not your
> husband, not your kids, are in charge. What you say goes. Your family
> likewise needs to understand this. Not only should they not be in the habit
> of giving your dog commands, but they also need to not second-guess your
> authority with your dog. If you correct an undesirable behavior,for
> instance, it is not OK for your husband to go behind you and soothe and pet
> the dog. This one will be hard, because it also means that if your dog is
> about to make a working mistake, unless it's something that may get you
> killed or something, that your family let the dog make the mistake, because
> not doing so deprives both of you of a valuable lesson.
> On Jul 12, 2014, at 9:01 PM, Candy Berg via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi  All,
>>
>>
>>
>> I  wanted to thank those who responded to me as I  consider getting a
>> dog
>> guide, very helpful input and I've really enjoyed reading the list during
>> the past week.
>>
>> There have been a  couple of comments about role of other people living
>> in
>> the home with the dog guide, and the difference in relationship between
>> the
>> person who works with the dog and other family members who live with the
>> dog. My husband and I  have always had pets, dogs and cats. I'm wondering
>> how he would have to adjust his behavior and expectations of his
>> relationship with a  dog guide who might join our household. Any input
>> would
>> be welcome.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>> Candy
>>
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-- 
Raven
"if God didn't make it, don't eat it." - John B. Symes, D.V.M.
http://dogtorj.com