[nagdu] Stressed and confused

Thu May 29 04:17:16 UTC 2014

Do not use a leash correction unless you know 100% that the whining is
because of excitement or something else that is not anxiety. The only time
that I use a leash correction is if I am absolutely sure that my dog is so
distracted that nothing else will get through, which does not happen very
often.

Nicole and Lexia 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deanna Lewis via
nagdu
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 7:58 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Stressed and confused

Hi,
I can honestly say that I know exactly what you are going through with your
dog. My guide dog, Pascal had/has some of the same issues. He constantly
whined when he was younger. He would whine on the bus, at a bus stop waiting
for a bus, in Doctor's offices, at work, in meetings, you name it. After a
couple months, I was a my wits end! I had called my school and they did send
someone out to visit me, and of course, he was on his best behavior and
hardly whined. Now that he's older, it has decreased significantly! He still
whines from time to time, but the word quiet usually works. A friend of mine
has a black lab, that whines in anticipation. If she is riding in a car or
bus, she gets excited when it slows down and she thinks they are going to
get out. My dog is also a black lab, so I'm curious what your dog's breed
is? Is it a black lab thing? LOL I think it would be good to have someone
from the school visit you and also take her to the Vet, just to rule out
anything health wise. I'd especially be concerned about the soft stools.
Maybe her food doesn't agree with her and she has some tummy issues and that
is why she whines... etc.
So, some things you can try that may or may not work.
1. Praise for good behavior (I think you mentioned this) give a treat when
she is quiet, or rub her head. This doesn't work with my boy.
2. Correct her when she whines. You could just say quiet, no, stop it, etc.
Or give a leash correction. My friend was told in class that when her dog
whined to bop her in the nose with a newspaper (I've never done this one).
3. You can try to ignore her. This actually works really well for my dog.
After I ignore him for a few minutes, he will usually stop.
4. You could try using a Thunder shirt on her to help with anxiety. Or see
if the Vet can recommend meds that will help, but not make her too sleepy.
5. I know you mentioned she whines while riding the bus, so I wonder if she
is not comfortable in the type of seat you are sitting in? For example: the
buses here have two  types of seats, ones that face the aisle (side facing)
and ones that face the front. The side facing ones are usually reserved for
people in wheelchairs or with canes or walkers. At the side facing seats
it's a little harder to have the dog fit under the seat, and my dog likes to
stand for the entire ride. He is much more comfortable in the front facing
seats. It's a tight fit (he's 80 pounds) but he can fit under the seat
comfortably. So, it may help with her whining if you try to sit in a
different seat or area on the bus.
Hope this info was helpful! Good luck.
Deanna and Pascal

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 9:58 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Stressed and confused

Thanks. Well, we did ride the train and bus once when at school.
She seemed to do ok. She did whine in the train though, but not on the bus.
She rarely whined in the vans when going to the downtonw lounge for practice
routes.
A little quiet was enough there. We even had a hour ride to NY and she
didn't even make a noise.
I have tried to give her treats when she is quiet, saying she is a good
girl. She is wearing the gentle leader.
I tried petting her head or placing my hand on her head. Her whining starts
out quiet, but gets louder and louder.
Today I got off a mile before my actual stop so she would stop, then she had
to relieve and it was a very soft stool. Needless to say, I relieved her
before we left. Her stools are generally normal, once in the morning.
However, whenever getting off the bus, she has had to poop and everytime, it
has been soft.
I even mixed up some peanut butter and kibble in a kong and froze it,
thinking I would take it on my ride tommorrow, however, I am really doubting
if I am going to take her, until the instructor comes. I generallly walk a
lot of places. I will just try and avoid transportation, which is going to
be interesting, since it is getting hotter and hotter here in Daytona Beach.

Sent from my iPad

> On May 27, 2014, at 9:37 PM, Raven Tolliver via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
>
> Was the dog familiarized with riding public transportation at all 
> during her training? Did you guys ride public transport during your 
> training together? If not, why not? And if so, did this problem come 
> up at the time?
> Something is stressing your dog out, maybe the noise or vibration of 
> the engine--something. If she was not previously familiarized with 
> public transport, or the type you're taking, then these long rides are 
> too much for her to handle.
> Please tell us exactly what you have tried so that we can help you 
> better. It's possible that you or your school may have missed 
> something. We might be able to help you tweak your techniques or offer 
> ones you haven't tried.
>
>
>
>> On 5/27/14, Cindy Ray via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> How long have you had the dog? It could be that if you just talk 
>> softly to her? Maybe after she has ridden a few times it will start 
>> to subside. I would say that you have to try to relax because she 
>> will sense your anxiety, and that won't improve on hers. I know this 
>> can be more easily said than done sometimes, but it may be your only
choice.
>>
>> Cindy
>>
>>> On May 27, 2014, at 7:32 PM, via nagdu wrote:
>>>
>>> I do not know what to do. I am so stressed. Today I went on the 
>>> public bus, and Eileen whined the whole time. I got off and walked 
>>> alot and I walked her a lot, I had to take the bus again, same thing.
>>> I have tried everything and I'm called the school. Nothing seems to 
>>> be working. Seems just to be getting worse. I don't know what to do.
>>> I'm so confused. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow that is 40 
>>> minutes away and I dont know if I should take her on the medical
transportation or not.
>>> I'm so nervous and scared  that she is going to wine again and for 
>>> 40 minutes it's going to be a headache.
>>>
>>>
>>> السلام عليكم
>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Raven
>
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