[nagdu] dogs and canes

Wed Jul 15 13:00:54 UTC 2015

I think, just as not everyone is perfect with their canes, not
everyone is perfect with their dog either.  I want to know any tips
and tricks for all of us to move around.  My dog and I are used to
travelling in a world of sighted people so my dogs have always
expected people to get out of their way.  I am sure people who use
canes have a similar thought process.  Since this was my first
convention I was caught off guard by the whole experience.

Since my dog is now trained to my right side she follows the right
much better but when I got her, and all my earlier dogs, were trained
to the left and getting them to work to the right was a big battle.
How do you get your dogs to work to the right side in indoor
situations?

On 7/15/15, Tracy Carcione via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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:
> julielj at neb.rr.com
> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
> available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> -----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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>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053