[nagdu] major relieving issues

Tue Sep 30 02:51:10 UTC 2014

Marsha,
I'm a bit confused. Let me see if I understand correctly:
Your dog frequently poops at the same time, which is during your walk
to the train home. It's an issue because she poops on the sidewalk,
and does it without warning. You have no time to acknowledge any
signals that she's giving off so that you can pull over to an
appropriate area.
If that is indeed the problem, then changing feeding schedule and
amounts will not help.
Your dog is likely pooping same place and same time due to
stress/comfort level. And the anxiety on the way to the train home
could be a contributor. Definitely work on your own anxiety to help
minimize this issue. I can certainly offer suggestions on how to do so
if you are in search of any.
In addition, are there no signals that you notice so you can get her
to grass. Speeding up? Slowing down? Seeming more distracted than
usual? If you could focus more on picking up on such signals, that
would put you a step ahead of her.

Then later in your message, you say that she is still not on a regular
relief schedule. What do you mean? Doesn't she relieve at the same
times each day? And even if she doesn't, why is the time a problem? It
is very normal for everyone, not just dogs, to relieve at slightly
different times on different days.

On 9/29/14, Brandy Pinder via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi martia,
> I had this problem with my sweet noel. Some foods she did better than others
> but she would poop before leaving and then about two blocks down. I tried
> waking up taking her poop, feeding then getting ready and poop again, no go
> still had to go on route. This would happen also in the afternoon. I tried
> playing with her before leaving to stimulate the second poop, nothing. This,
> as you know, is extremely frustrating in the city where it isn't always safe
> to take them. Eventually after a while we compromised. I wouldn't let her
> stop where ever but we would have one place per common route where I would
> say it was ok to go. Before that, no. When getting my successor I told gdf
> in no way did I want a dog that had relieving issues while walking. However,
> noel was a fabulous dog in every sense of the word and finally I said, hey
> she doesn't poop inside, she's not just stopping in the sidewalk and pooping
> she is pulling over and hey it's better than some issues. Pinta for the most
> part, unless I change her food, doesn't have this issue but goodness I know
> the anxiety and frustration. And she probably just stops walking all
> together if you don't let her go, right? My advice is to maybe pick a spot
> on the route before she gives the sign or even a few feet after if you can
> that you pick so it isn't on her terms but yours. And maybe when she does
> relieve when and where you want at the university give her a treat or lots
> of praise. Also, most importantly I found that when I was trying to get noel
> to relieve I would be anxious because I soooo badly wanted her to go, and
> she felt this. On the other hand if I went out there with the attitude of, I
> can care less if you go or not, sometimes she would. And then you have to
> make it relative. This problem isn't huge compared to a dog who shuts down
> when faced with an obstacle, or chases down every dog she seems, etc...
> Hope this helps!
>
> brandy pinder
> Alumni Council -  second vice Chairman
> Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc®
> and America's VetDogs®, The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc®
> Providing "Second uSight"® since 1946
>
> 371 E. Jericho Turnpike smith town ny 11766
> Cso: 866-282-8047
> Email: brandydp at verizon.net
> Cell: 304-685-4499
>
>> On Sep 29, 2014, at 9:35 PM, Janice Toothman via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Marsha,
>> I do not have any suggestions but I know what you are talking about.
>> Destiny and I will sometimes be out for 45 minutes to and hour.  I know
>> that she has to poop because she has not all day and she has not peed in a
>> long while but she will not do either.  She will have me walking up and
>> down streets.
>>
>> I feel your pain and frustration.  I wanted  you to reassure you that your
>> dog is not the only one that would do this.  Even if Destiny is retired I
>> am still caring for her until I receive my new guide.
>> I know it is hard to have an pup with an unpredictable  relieving schedule
>> when your schedule is so busy.  Remember that you and your guide are
>> succeeding in going to your internship and managing your classes and that
>> is awesome!  Recognize your hard work and try not to micromanage your
>> guides feeding.
>>
>> Your dog is sensitive to your needs and feelings; therefore, she might
>> pick up on your "energy" level/tension in your movements that might affect
>> her.  When she relieves on the way home it might feel to her that
>> "expectation" of familiar surroundings and relieving area.
>>
>> Marsha that is speculation and you can take it or leave it.  I may not
>> have been too clear so if you need be to explain, then ask. However, you
>> know your dog the best.
>>
>> I just know that if I am in a hurry and want Destiny to relieve quickly;
>> then that is not what she will do.  I end up frustrated and Destiny end's
>> up sitting in fronting as if asking what she is supposed to do.
>> Janice
>>
>>
>>> On 9/29/2014 8:49 PM, Marsha Drenth via nagdu wrote:
>>> Hi List,
>>> I know, I know, I know that this topic has been discussed ad nausium. My
>>> current pup from GDF and I have been working for almost two years. Of
>>> course because I am back to school, this issue has come up again. When I
>>> was in classes at my university this was always an issue too. I feed pup,
>>> Natures Domain, 2 cups a day. So she will relieve in the morning, with
>>> plenty of time to go. Then around lunch time, as late as two o'clock I
>>> will then relieve her again, this time its on my university campus, or at
>>> my internship. If I am in classes, like I said its at 2pm, the earliest I
>>> can relieve her. If I am at my internship, I take her out around lunch.
>>> At either location, I can spend my entire lunch break, an hour, 30
>>> minutes, whatever, and she will not go. I can walk her around the block,
>>> down the block. She will not relieve. I have taken off the harness, left
>>> it on, she will not relieve. I head home around either 4 or 5pm, but
>>> almost every single day, she will relieve on the sidewalk, in
>>>  the middle of our route. I have tried to reduce her food, only giving
>>> her a half cup of food, tried giving her all two cups at once, tried
>>> leaving out that meal all together. The reducing the meal to a half a
>>> cup, will delay the relieving to a morning poop. Like I said I thought it
>>> might have been the walk that stimulates her to go, so thus why I have
>>> walked her, but she will not go. Its always on the way to the train. I
>>> honestly do not know what to do from here, either I can just live with it
>>> or something has to happen. Please do not give the feeding nature talk,
>>> its not for me. My dog has no other health issues other this. I myself am
>>> nw having anxiety about her pooping on our route. I have had 3 guides,
>>> none of them have done this. Please give suggestions? I am in classes two
>>> days a week, internship three days a week, my schedule is busy, and she
>>> loves all the work. So like I said, here is the schedule. I wake up, feed
>>> pup, take her out, depending on the day depends on when she
>>>  eats and relieves, its usually between 5am and 7am. Like I said above
>>> either at lunch time, 12:30pm or 2pm, relieve again. 4 or 5pm, head for
>>> home and the train, when she will poop on route. Its at least 4 out of
>>> the 5days she poops on route. Then when I get home around 6 or 7pm, fed
>>> and relieved. Again at bed time, relieved at the last time. I never ever
>>> ever know when she is going to poop, its been two years and we are still
>>> not on a schedule. Thought I would ask here, as some of you all have
>>> worked many many dogs. Like I said, she is an absolutely great worker.
>>> Like I said I need suggestions, not criticism.
>>> Thank you,
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>> Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone.
>>> As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate
>>> errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary.
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>>
>>
>>
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-- 
Raven
"if God didn't make it, don't eat it." - John B. Symes, D.V.M.
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