[nagdu] Wanted: opinions about guide dogs

Tue Jul 28 14:40:25 UTC 2015

very well said dan :) 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Jul 2015, at 12:04, Dan Weiner via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Well, you were all waiting for this--smile I'm going to chime in, now Dan,
> that's me--lol) do you really have an opinion about guide dogs? Yes, thanks
> for asking.
> I think that even the most competent cane user can improve travel speed and
> efficiency with a guide dog.
> It all depends on your motivation and the way you are matched with a dog by
> the school.
> It is different than using a cane of course, a dog is a living breathing
> thing, and frankly the first question I would ask myself is: "do I like
> dogs"?
> You'll be with your dog all the time in one way or another, I mean even if
> your pup isn't by your side he-she will be in your home so  you can't really
> fold the dog up and put it in the closet--lol.
> On the other hand, when I first got a dog it sometimes seemed overwhelming,
> so many things I had to do to take care of the dog, playing, obedience,
> bathroom time (for the pup), grooming, etc. But I found after a few weeks
> that I incorporated all of that stuff in to my routine and there was plenty
> of down time when my doggie could just sleep and I could relax.
> 
> So advantages: you will travel I believe much faster or at least more
> efficiently, your dog will take you around obstacles, stop at steps and
> curbs, and also my dogs fortunately have all been good at learning places we
> go so sometimes the dog will help you out when you're disoriented--lol.
> There are so some routes where I'm pretty much on auto-pilot, though I'm of
> cause still paying attention to where I'm going.
> 
> When I went to guide dog school I was always chided for letting my dogs take
> initiative, but Hell, my first dog really did seem to learn where everything
> was and I could just walk with my head up and a smile on my face really fast
> and not worrying about a thing, and Hell, even when I or the dog was wrong
> we were still walking and enjoying it.
> I would baldly state that a guide dog who is properly trained and matched
> with you will keep you safe from obstacles, and be an extra safeguard  in
> traffic.   
> I'll tell lyou how I feel, went I'm walking down a sidewalk my dog keeps me
> on the center left and I sometimes even forget that there are curbs I could
> step off or things I could run into, I remember seeing a bit when I was a
> kid and I think walking with a dog when it all goes well is the closest you
> will get to the feeling of being a sighted pedestrian as far as how you
> move.
> And besides, dogs are cute as a bug in a rug and I enjoy their company. I
> have donetravelling with a dog independently that I didn't dream of being
> able to do with a cane...and to those of you who then will chime in "well  I
> Have no problem doing things with a cane, I respectfully stick my tongue out
> at you--smile, we're talking about my opinions, not yours"--lol.  I say that
> because I've gotten so sick of the dog verses cane exercise in rhetorical
> stupidity that some of my blind friends over the years insist on.
> 
> When I got a dog I felt that I had a lot of problems being an independent
> traveler with a cane, I have a hearing issue and judging traffic was
> challenging plus I became disorientted and couldn't rely well on sound
> clues. I investigated a dog because 1. I love dogs. 2. I was feeling a bit
> desperate about improving my mobility skills. Now you may say that was owas
> not the right reason but that's how it was and when I took a walk n New York
> City with my first dog during training I was just amazed how easy it seemed
> to me compared to how it felt when I visited NYC before with a cane which I
> had done several times.
> 
> Dogs can also be very good at finding things, doors, paths, seats (I've ound
> this dependson the dog) stairs, etc.  
> Now since you insist, disadvantages--lol, though I feel that my friends on
> the NAGDU list seem almost gleeful about pointing them out at the least
> opportunity and if you go through archives you'll hear plenty.
> 
> 1. oyou can't fold the dog up like a cane
> 2. dogs get old and sick and it's pretty hard on me.
> 3. you will have to deal with the public which is sometimes fun and
> sometimes a paine.
> 4.  You will have access issues with public places sooner or later, and
> sometimes friends and family even those who claim they just love dogs will
> or can act stupid about letting you be acoompanied by your dog in their cars
> and houses and you'll have to figure out what your comfort level is with
> that.
> 
> And I don't know if this is a "advantage" or a "disadvantage", but a dog is
> not a robot, you will not get a pefect guiding robot out of a guide dog
> moulde, every dog is a bit different and they have their defects just as we
> do.
> 
> I have deliberately not read any of the responses to your question so that I
> could give my opinions without anyone else's influencing me.
> Whatever you decide we wish you all the best and it's good that you asked
> about it. The computer is a tremendous resource for  information, I remember
> when I started out being interested in dogs I had no one to ask except one
> or two handlers I knew and information was sort of sketchy sometimes.
> 
> 
> Dan and the Parker hound
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elise Berkley via
> nagdu
> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 6:12 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Elise Berkley
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Wanted: opinions about guide dogs
> 
> Hello, Mikaela.  It took me 20 years to decide to get a guide.  I was very
> comfortable with folding my cane in and out, putting it in my bag when I was
> sitting, no worries, right!  I, also, agree with what has been stated.  One
> thing I have noticed is that I travel faster with Becky and more safely.  It
> is not that she walks fast because she does not.  Her pace is a nice,
> steady, moderate walk.  It is that I do not have to use my cane to tap and
> make sure I do not walk into any obstacles.  She smoothly guides me around
> these things and I can keep a steady movement.
> 
> Another very big thing form e is, if I am at a corner or driveway, and a car
> is turning without giving me a chance after pausing, she will set her 60
> pound body in a sit position and will not move.  This way, I am not always
> taking chances with drivers trying to turn in front of me before I start
> walking.  Now, things do happen but a few times, she has let me know not to
> go because of a car.
> 
> The last thing I want to mention is the companionship between Becky and me. 
> She is my best friend and I love her so much because she is a good dog and
> she takes very good care of me.  If I would have known it would be like
> this, I would have gotten a guide dog a long time ago.
> 
> Good luck in your considerations for a guide.  You will love her/him, trust
> me.
> Elise and Becky
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mikaela Stevens via nagdu
> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 8:23 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Mikaela Stevens
> Subject: [nagdu] Wanted: opinions about guide dogs
> 
> Dear guide dog users:
> 
> I am considering getting a guide dog. I am a little person, so I hope to get
> a smaller dog. What kinds of dogs are available? What is the best training
> program to use? Finally, what are the pros and cons of having a dog?
> 
> Thank you for your time and help.
> 
> Best,
> Mikaela
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> 
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