[nagdu] dogs and canes

Thu Jul 16 02:11:31 UTC 2015

I prefer constant contact but do best with a roller ball tip. since my
current cane is now a bit too heavy for me on long walks I'm thinking
the vibration plays a part in tiring me out as well, I'm gonna likely
order a new shorter cane altogether with a roller ball tip and see if
this helps. I do want to try the advantage cane as well that was
mentioned yesterday. I have currently only used Ambutech and NFB. I
was trained with 2point touch, constant contact, pencil grip, and
trailing techniques as well and then went on to broaden my horizons
with Structured Discovery. Thanks Al.

On 7/15/15, Jenine Stanley via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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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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>>
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-- 
Danielle

Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com