[NAGDU] guide dogs and unfamiliar routes

[Michael Hingson]

Hi all,

A guide dog guides. This means that you need to know where you are going and to direct the dog.

I travel to unfamiliar cities all the time. I ask for directions to a location or I use my GPS. If I take Africa then I use Africa. I may get lost because I was not given proper directions including relevant land marks, but I still use my guide dog.

I do use a cane especially when I am going to be traveling in an area quite a lot. The purpose for my cane use is to find all those relevant land marks I won't find with a guide dog. However, after using the cane I use Africa again.

Frankly, I think we spend way too much time talking about routes and not enough time learning how to be aware of our surroundings and how to travel to any general place. O&M instructors have gotten too many of us into a route mode of thinking and so we get lost when we leave familiar areas. While new places may be unfamiliar they should NOT be daunting.


Best Regards,


Michael Hingson

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-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha Dudley via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 5:54 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Aleeha Dudley <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] guide dogs and unfamiliar routes

They suggest I use a cane. But here’s the thing. If the route is just going down sidewalks, crossing streets, and such, isn’t it to be expected that a dog would listen to such directions as left, right, straight, etc? If it is a problem to expect this, how does a dog enhance independence? 
> On Apr 18, 2016, at 7:49 PM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> You would likely do this with a cane. It can be a little hard if you don't get good directions. When you receive push back on this, what do folks suggest you do?
> Cindy
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha 
> Dudley via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 7:41 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Aleeha Dudley <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NAGDU] guide dogs and unfamiliar routes Hey all, I’m writing 
> to seek your opinion on something that I’ve been pondering for a while. Do you guys find that it is reasonable to go to a brand new city with your dog, get directions to go somewhere, and get there, while still using the dog, even if the area is unknown? Am I wrong in thinking that the dog should listen to what you need, and not have a massive panic? I’ve gotten some push back from people on this and wanted to see your thoughts.
> Thanks
> Aleeha
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