[nagdu] convention tips and tricks.

Colorado Asociation of Guide dog users coagdu1019 at gmail.com
Sun Jun 28 18:50:09 UTC 2015


I got this from the GDF list.

What else should be added to
this list?

IMO, I believe that this list
could be extended to other
things as well as conventions.

 

CONVENTION TIPS AND TRICKS 

 

Are you attending a conference
or convention? Here are some
tips and tricks to make your
first, or your 71st conference
or convention as stress-free
as possible for both you and
your dog. 

 

1. Nobody's Perfect. 

 

This is the first and foremost
tip to remember. Regardless of
whether your dog is straight
out of class or an old pro at
conventions, you and your dog
are at a new place, or at the
very least, someplace you
haven't been for a while.
There may be other guide and
service dogs there. It's all
quite exciting. 

 

It's good to have high
expectations of your dog, make
sure he or she is obedient,
not sniffing or otherwise
inappropriate, but sometimes
things will happen. Don't beat
up on yourself or your dog for
mistakes. 

 

You will get lost. Your dog
will sniff, try to greet other
dogs and be less than that
picture perfect guide or
service dog at all times.
We've all been there. As long
as you are trying, don't worry
about others judging you.

 

2. Ask For Help. 

 

There is no stigma or negative
statement about asking for
some help learning your way
around a convention venue.
Getting directions ahead of
time is great but in the
moment, it's good to ask as
well. This helps take the
stress off you and your dog
until you know your way
around. 

 

3. Take a breath and take a
break 

 

Conferences and conventions
can be packed with activities,
parties and seeing old
friends. Remember to stop and
praise your dog for good work.
Take a breath if you are
getting stressed. Go back to
your room and spend some
quality down time with your
dog. You can also bring chew
toys to help your dog relieve
his or her stress at the end
of the day.

 

Remember to drink plenty of
water and offer your dog
plenty of chances to drink as
well. Convention venues can
often be drier than your home
environment. Staying hydrated
helps you both feel better.

 

What goes in has to come out.
Remember to offer your dog
plenty of chances to relieve.
Some conventions that host a
number of guide or service
dogs have designated relief
areas. You will want to learn
where these are as soon as you
arrive and use them according
to the convention rules. 

 

Your dog may not go right away
so give him/her lots of time
and encouragement. It's easy
to get frustrated and short
with your dog if he or she
isn't going, refuses the
communal relief area or hates
the relieving surface. Give
yourself lots of extra time to
get out and get the job done.

 

BE sure to bring baggies and
yes, even some hand sanitizer
just in case. Many conventions
where there will be a number
of guide and service dogs have
procedures for reporting and
taking care of accidents. If
your dog does have an
accident, try to stay with the
mess and get someone to report
it appropriately. If your dog
is having difficulty holding
urine or has diarrhea or
vomiting issues, be sure to
alert someone and take more
frequent breaks to allow the
dog to relieve in appropriate
places. 

 

4. Be prepared.

 

This includes bringing those
baggies, but also bringing any
medications your dog might
need for nausea or diarrhea.
If your dog is sensitive to
food and water changes, you
may need to purchase bottled
water during your stay. 

 

Being prepared also means
being prepared for the crowds
entering and exiting
conference rooms, elevators,
etc. This is especially
important at conventions of
blind people where there may
be a lot of people using white
canes. Identify yourself and
your location with your dog if
you hear someone coming toward
you using a cane. This helps
you both to keep your dog out
of the cane's way. 

 

It's OK to leave a meeting
early or wait until most
people have cleared the doors
to give your dog the best shot
at getting you in and out
safely. This can minimize
stress for your dog as well. 

 

5. Out of sight...

 

Remember that your dog should
be close to you when in places
like restaurants, exhibit
halls, etc. This not only
helps others to keep from
tripping over him/her but it
also helps the dog feel more
secure. Try not to allow your
dog to sprawl into aisles or
wander to the end of the leash
while you are otherwise
occupied. 

 

Finally, if you are using
technology during convention,
be sure that when walking you
are paying attention to your
dog. Texting, checking on GPS
or other activities take your
attention away from your dog
and its work. If you need to
use your technology, stop, or
do so with as few distracting
movements as possible and be
sure to return immediately to
your dog's work. 

 

We hope everyone has a safe
and happy convention
experience.

 

Best regards,

Melissa R Green and Pj

if I've learned anything about
friendship, it's to hang in,
stay connected, fight for
them, and let them fight for
you.  Don't walk away, don't
be distracted, don't be too
busy or tired, don't take them
for granted.  Friends are part
of the glue that holds life
and faith together.

 




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