[nagdu] dogs and canes

Tracy Carcione carcione at access.net
Wed Jul 15 12:40:58 UTC 2015 

I wonder if a Monitor article about cane technique, and the reasons why a technique is useful, would be helpful?  I find, when someone tells me a technique and explains why it works well, it sticks with me a lot better than just telling me to do X, or, worse yet, that I'm wrong because I do Y.  I may indeed be wrong, but explain why your way is better.
I don't feel particularly qualified to write such an article, but, from the posts I've read, there are people on this list who are.

And, if it could be done tactfully, I'd mention it's good to respect other pedestrians and make some effort not to trip them up.  Should go without saying, but doesn't seem to.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 8:31 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Julie J.
Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and canes

Raven,

The tap technique cuts down on the number of things your cane gets caught in.  Indoors I don't think it makes much difference really, but outside sidewalk cracks would be problematic with a small metal tip and sliding. 
That said, the two point touch cane technique I was taught only has you lifting the cane an inch or two.  The cane shouldn't go over top someone's shoes, let alone hit a dog in the head.  It's not a javelin.

Julie
Sport style guide harnesses now available! send inquiries to: 
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-----Original Message-----
From: Raven Tolliver via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 7:17 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Raven Tolliver
Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and canes

the thing I don't understand is why there is any reason to raise your cane up off the ground while using it. Why do so many cane users prefer to tap-tap rather than gliding their cane over the floor?
Tapping sure helps other people know where a cane user is, that's for sure. But while that thing is in the air, it's practically a weapon.
Gliding the cane is far more considerate of people and working dogs.

That tapping technique annoys me to no end, and I can't rely on that method anyway because I prefer to use a folding cane with the rolling ball tip. So if I did any tapping, I'd be replacing cane tips up the wall.
--
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 7/14/15, S L Johnson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Eva is still the same 53 pounds she was when I got her 15 months ago 
> so, she
>
> can have treats.  I am careful how much food to feed her.  If she 
> shows any
>
> sign of gaining weight, I cut the food a bit.  I actually use treat 
> rewards
>
> when working her, especially when teaching her to find new places such 
> as we
>
> did last week in the hotel.  I use very small low calorie treats for this.
> I give her medium bones to help keep her teeth and gums healthy.  Just 
> as it
>
> is with people, everything is fine in moderation.  You don't have to 
> deprive
>
> the dog, just be careful.  I've done this with all my dogs for forty 
> years now and never had one of them be overweight.
>
> Sandra and Eva, who loves her treats
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vivianna via nagdu
> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 7:03 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Vivianna
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and canes
>
> I say, how about some pats for the dogs and,, letā?Ts keep our dogs 
> nice and
>
> fit and lay off the treats.
> and, i saw the leftovers from dogs relieving themselves in the hotel 
> twice.
>
> Vivianna
>
>> On Jul 14, 2015, at 5:21 PM, S L Johnson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Debby:
>>
>> That is a good idea.  Some discussion of tips and tricks for canes ad 
>> dogs and convention would definitely help ease the stress for the 
>> people and the dogs.  Even though I was at the plaza, I went back to 
>> my room in the afternoon to let Eva eat, play, rest and relax.  Then 
>> we were off again.
>> By
>> the end of the week, I could tell she was a bit stressed and tired.  
>> At times I did wish for more volunteer help just so I could take the 
>> pressure off Eva and go sighted guide.  That is definitely something 
>> that is needed for next year.  Not having enough sighted help in a 
>> strange place adds to the stress.  I was amazed at how well Eva 
>> worked and am extremely proud of her.  I also second what you said 
>> about the other conventions.  I used to be a member of that 
>> organization too and often encountered barking and growling dogs.  
>> Also, at the NFB we did not have dogs relieving themselves in the 
>> hotel.  So, as Debby said, give all the wonderful guide dogs an extra 
>> few treats and hugs for a job well done.
>>
>> Sandra and Eva
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Marianne Denning via nagdu
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 5:38 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Cc: Marianne Denning
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and canes
>>
>> I did a few cane dances too.  We tried to avoid them but it didn't 
>> always work.  I think some tips and tricks for dog handlers and cane 
>> users might make the convention experience better.  My dog was very 
>> stressed by the end of the convention.
>>
>> I want to commend all of the dogs and their handlers.  I attended the 
>> other group's convention several years ago and almost every time we 
>> were in a large group one dog was start barking and then others would 
>> join in.  I did not hear one dog bark at any of the general sessions 
>> or other meetings I attended.  Everyone give your dog an extra treat 
>> for that.  (smile)
>>
>> On 7/14/15, S L Johnson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Eva and I hated all the canes too.  Sometimes they would walk three 
>>> or four
>>>
>>> people all in a row not leaving the dog a safe path to travel.  When 
>>> we were
>>>
>>> sitting in meetings the canes would hit Eva as she stayed quietly 
>>> tucked under my chair.  The canes were horrible in the exhibit hall.  
>>> I especially
>>>
>>> got upset when the cane user would keep hitting Eva when I had told 
>>> them she
>>>
>>> was there.  I can't tell you how many times she hid her head behind 
>>> my legs
>>>
>>> to keep from being hit in the face by someone holding their cane too 
>>> high off the floor.  When  using a cane in a crowded convention 
>>> around guide dogs, the cane user should glide the cane instead of 
>>> lifting it up and tapping it.  Eva ad I hate hate hate canes, 
>>> especially the extremely long ones loved by so many cane users, they 
>>> are a danger to the rest of us.
>>> I
>>> was tripped and fell many times because of the canes.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Debby Phillips via nagdu
>>> Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 10:39 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users ; 
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Debby Phillips ; jerupert at outlook.com
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and canes
>>>
>>> Hi Jack, just seeing this.  We're home now.  Nova was a little 
>>> freaked out by all the canes, too.  I just tried to talk softly to 
>>> her all the time, telling her what a good girl she was, and 
>>> encouraging her to keep walking.  Her biggest issue was other dogs.  
>>> She was always wanting to pull over to visit.  Who knows?
>>> We might have come across each other.
>>>
>>> One suggestion for next time, and I did try to do this as much as I 
>>> could, but it was more difficult, as my husband and I were at the 
>>> Clarion.  That is, give your dog some breaks.  Go to your room and 
>>> just give him some down time; play with him a bit.  This will relax 
>>> him, and you too maybe.  Sometimes we would find a semi quiet place 
>>> to sit and just be together.  A friend of mine also got an extra key 
>>> to her room and we would go there sometimes too just to give Nova a 
>>> time out.  It's hard to do with a busy convention schedule, but I 
>>> decided a long time ago that if my dog was stressed out, it was 
>>> worth giving her time to settle down and relax a little.  Before I 
>>> came to NFB, I was in ACB and have been
>>> going to conventions on and off since 1981.    Peace,    Debby
>>> and Nova
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>> (513) 607-6053
>>
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