[nagdu] dogs and canes
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
Thu Jul 16 01:31:56 UTC 2015
I think one of the funniest encounters I had with a cane user was at the first NFB convention I attended in Dallas in 2008. I had my Lab/Poodle cross, Molly then and she had some seriously long legs, standing 26.5 inches at the shoulder.
I was walking with one of my coworkers when someone crossed in front of us, Somehow Molly just stepped over and through the cane as the person very skillfully maneuvered past us and both of us kept right on going. All this happened while a sighted photographer with the NFB convention committee was bugging us to stop so he could take a picture of Molly. We were also on one of those 2 or 3 step stairways that used to be at the Hilton Anatole. Let’s just say my coworker was less than tactful at telling the photographer what he could do next.
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
> On Jul 15, 2015, at 3:15 PM, Danielle Burton via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I agree with Julie on this one. I let my dog figure out where the canes were because I knew I would be unable to tell where they were most of the time because of hearing loss. The first day she was a little shocked by all the cnes but quickly pulled herself together and figured out what she needed to do to avoid the canes as best shall could. We too, walked toward oncoing canes and she would move to the side to go around them as they pssed. I also made a point not to be stressed out. My dog would most likely shut down if she thought I was stressed out and that was the last thing I needed. So needless to say she ddid very well at convention and it was her first time at convention.
> Daielle and Willa
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jul 15, 2015, at 3:04 PM, Julie McGinnity via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org <mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> My dog actually enjoys conventions, and my first dog did as well.
>> Here are some of the things I do to make it easier on them.
>>
>> I do not stress out. Convention is one of my favorite times... I
>> love the crowds, the people, and even the sound of the canes. I know
>> not all of you love the crowds, but your dog senses your moods, so try
>> to be in good spirits when you travel. If you are lost, do not take
>> it out on the dog, and try not to be too stressed in the most crowded
>> situations.
>>
>> Lots of praise... I give my dog praise much more at convention. I
>> will even stop him just to tell him how good he is being. I tried to
>> do this even more last year when my dog was so new, but it's always a
>> good thing to remember.
>>
>> When I received my second dog last year, I told the trainers that I
>> would be attending conventions. They gave me a dog who would enjoy
>> such things. My first dog survived a year of high school, so I never
>> had a doubt that she would do well at convention. She, like
>> Danielle's dog, used the cold wet nose to move people out of her way.
>> Yeah, she was pretty rude. My current dog isn't as rude, but he walks
>> right at canes. I don't remember having a single incident with a cane
>> user at this convention, where I actually hit the cane. I believe
>> though that my dog did hit some, but I could never sense stress
>> because of this.
>>
>> I know that we tend to break our rules at convention because it's a
>> stressful time. I cannot break rules with my current dog. Allowing
>> other guide dog users to pet him in harness, giving him more freedom
>> than he is used to at home, will only make us more stressed in the
>> long run because he will begin testing me for even more freedoms to
>> which he is not accustomed.
>>
>> Bill and I had a couple incidents this year, but his behavior at
>> convention improved so much that whatever I did this year must be
>> working. Remember that each dog is different. Each dog has a
>> different limit for stress and should be handled according to that. I
>> expected my dog to learn where the canes were and get over the fact
>> that the blind people won't get out of his way. It may seem harsh,
>> but the quicker he learned, the easier he could navigate through the
>> canes. I don't ever tell anyone that there is a dog in their path,
>> unless we were in a crowded elevator. I assume that he will use his
>> eyes to see the people coming and move if necessary, and it worked. I
>> observed Bill moving away from people coming towards him on several
>> occasions.
>>
>> I realize that this treatment would only stress some dogs out. But if
>> you are open to it, leave your dog be to figure out the canes on his
>> or her own. It always took my first dog a day or two to believe that
>> they wouldn't move out of her way, but she did get it. These dogs are
>> adaptable and intelligent creatures. Many of them can handle it.
>>
>>> On 7/15/15, Kaye Kipp via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Well, back in the 60's, that was the way they used to train people. At
>>> least they did it that way where I got my training. I don't do it that way
>>> now though.
>>>
>>> Kaye
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Jul 14, 2015, at 5:17 PM, Raven Tolliver via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
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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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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Julie McGinnity
>> National Federation of the Blind of Missouri second vice president,
>> National Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
>> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President
>> graduate, Guiding Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014
>> "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
>> 2 Cor. 7
>>
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