[NAGDU] guide dogs and unfamiliar routes

Tue Apr 19 16:47:52 UTC 2016

Here's the thing. How do we react when we are lost. Sometimes, or at least in my case, I have reacted not so well as I should because I had this idea that my dog should be able to find "it" whatever "it" is, and I haven't even put it into a perspective the dog understands. The dog is confused, and my negative reaction makes that dog more stressed. Julie, your dog and you are doing it in the best way. I've found myself reaching this point before and then stopping, putting the dog at sit, and then praising it for putting up with me. But NEWS FLASH! People get lost with canes. Their expectations are different though. At some level I think we take on the "that dog is her eyes" mentality, though in our rational moment we know that this is not entirely true. As Michael said, the dog guides us; we need to know where we are going. So yeah, you have to decide which is going to be the best for you and do it.
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 9:38 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] guide dogs and unfamiliar routes

Hi all,

I agree with what's been said...  And I'll take it a step further...

We should expect that we will get lost with our dogs.  It will happen at least once, if not multiple times.  And we must know how our dogs react to this.  Of course, it is ideal to know exactly where we're going so that we can give our dog clear directions, but navigating the world can be rather like navigating life.  We do not always know where we're going, even when we think we do.

So do you know how your dog reacts when you're lost.  My first dog would work but got really stressed out.  My current dog probably thinks it's a game and loves it because I ask him for more targets when I don't know what's around me.  As long as I tell him he's a good boy, he's on board.  :)

These dogs should have the training to work with us under a majority of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  There is no reason we should be afraid of working them in new environments or expect that we will always no where we are headed when we're using our dogs.  If you feel more comfortable with your cane in a new environment and wish to use it, then go for it.  But if you would rather work the dog, or if you want your dog with you for the rest of the travel involved in your plans, then excellent.  In the end, Aleeha, you know yourself and your dog best, and that matters the most.

On 4/19/16, Star Gazer via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 				The dog should do what it's told, in that your commands should be 
> conveyed in a manner that is easy for you and that the dog can understand.
> Who is pushing back and why do you care? I mean, if it's the mail man, 
> it doesn't matter what he thinks, at least not in this situation. If 
> it's someone who trained the dog and is trying to excuse poor 
> training, then you need to decide what you'll do about it... not use a dog? Get another dog?
> Get a dog from another school? Talk to the owner trainers to see what 
> suggestions they may have? You have a lot of options.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha 
> Dudley via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 8:41 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
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/pickrellrebecca%40g
> mail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.c
> om
>

--
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division, Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com