[nagdu] Introduction

[Raven Tolliver]

I'm surprised at how common this seems to be from this thread.
My dog has only pooped in harness once. It was a week or 2 after
returning home with him. He kept pulling over to the grass, telling me
that he needed to go. But I thought he just wanted to sniff and kept
telling him "hup-up" and "let's go." Well, he could only hold it for
so long, just pulled over to the grass and did his business. I felt
really bad after that and quickly understood that was his signal that
he needed to relieve himself.
Don't get me wrong. There's been many times he's pulled over and
didn't do a thing, or just wanted to sniff, and so I have to use my
judgment. When was the last time he relieved or had a drink? Did he
poop at all today or within the last couple days? Is he stopping here
because we've done it 4 times before and now this is a ritual in the
making? I also use a rule of 3, if he pulls over 3 times, he's gotta
go.

I'm not sure where my dog learned to indicate, but I'm sure glad he
does before just deciding to let loose while wearing the harness.

Dan, I have also relieved my dog while he was in harness. Our dogs are
taught to relieve on command, whether they're wearing a harness,
winter coat, or booties, so I don't think it's a big deal. I
understand why the schools advise against it, but ultimately, it's
only a problem if the dog is deciding when and where to relieve
without the handler's knowledge and permission.

I've committed a no-no worse than that. I've let my dog out into the
yard to relieve himself on multiple occasions. It's not something that
happens on a daily basis, but it definitely happens.
-- 
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 11/28/15, Dan Weiner via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of guide dogs, I hope you have
> many
> good adventures with your dog.
> Well, the only thing I've found that works is to learn to read the dog's
> signs as much as possible...I know, easier said than done, right?  Then
> give
> them as many opportunities as necessary so that the doggie is relieving
> hhimself when you want,  for which he gets a lot of praise, as opposd to
> just while walking.  If you notice your dog start to get in that position,
> also, pull your dog over to the side of the road or path on to grass or
> whatever so at ;least he or she starts getting the idea that he needs to
> pull over.  One of my dogs learned to pull over when it was necessary so I
> could then just give him a park time and at least we weren't walking while
> it happened. My problem as I see it is not that it's in harness so much as
> the fact that the dog is just doing plop plop fizz fizz when you're
> walking,
> and if you can at least get it to the point that it's on route  but  not
> while moving, (in other words when you're actually giving him a time) then
> that would be good.  It's all easier said than done and I wish you the
> best.
> I must say honestly that Parker, my fourth dog is unique in that he has
> never done his business while walking,  but other dogs I had did it at
> least
> a few times until I got it all sorted out. One thing aalso is maybe
> choosing
> some spots on route where it's good to relieve and giving your dog a
> regular
> time there.  The dogs signs that I mentioned could be slowing down,
> speeding
> up, panting, sniffing excessively, stopping unexpectedly and starting
> again,
> or pulling over.
>
> I'm most likely in the minority in that I relieve in harness, my experience
> shows it's not the equipment that the dog wears, but the place and
> situation, and the dog learrs when it's appropriate...but I respect other
> opinions of course, it's just always worked for me this way.
>
> I should point out, I mean I relieve the dog wile he wears the harness.
> Saying I relieve in harness gives the mistaken impression that I am the one
> wearing theequipment--lol
>
>
> Good luck to you and warmest wishes, we're all here if you need us.
>
> Dan and the Parker Larker