[nagdu] How often does a dog have to work?

[Becky Frankeberger]

Lisa, my first dog would get distrubtive if he didn't work five or six times
a week. My second had so many problems and was just not sharp, I worked him
twice a day. My third didn't care if he worked or not. Jake is like that as
well. But for the first several months I worked them every day to learn the
signals they tell you if you listen. My first dog would curl around me at
curbs and steps. So I had to learn to anticipate his signals. He also would
want to go in places we were previously, so I had to anticipate that as well
and signal him forward. My second had foot shuffles that meant different
things. A stop foot shuffle and he leaned into the harness meant the
sidewalk is rough but we can go through it slowly. A slow down foot shuffle
and his big head swung to the side, meant he had to relieve himself soon. I
would have never known these valuable signals if I didn't work the dog and
listen to my dog. My second would tense up, that meant there was a dog
nearby. If he tensed up and started breathing hard that meant there was
someone we knew well. My second was by far the easiest to read, once I
learned his signals and what they meant. Jake is so focused on his work he
has very few signals. 

So the rule for me is anyway,the dogs work nearly every day for the first
several month or month, usually until our work is smooth almost effortless.

Sorry there is not a one size fits all answer.

Becky and golden Jake 
 


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2014 11:40 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] How often does a dog have to work?

Hey everyone!

I would like to hear your opinion on the following question.

How often does a guide dog have to work?

By now, I've heard so many different things. Some say a dog has to be
working every day or otherwise it would get frustrated, bored, angry,
depressive... And others say it's completely fine to work the dog as often
as you need to and in the mean time let it just be a happy dog, with play
time and paying attention to it of course.
I've also heard that there are dogs who really demand to get out and work
and others who are fine with one or two lazy days in between.
So, what do you think? Does it depend on how energetic and active the dog
is? What if I twisted my ankle and would want to cure it for five days or
so? Would it be okay to neglect guide work then?
Just curious.

best
Lisa 


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