[NAGDU] Hiking with your guide dog

[Danielle Sykora]

I've been hiking with my dog many times. He adjusted to the uneven
terrain extremely well. It's probably going to take your dog a little
while to figure out exactly what he does and doesn't need to stop and
show you. Thai walks over most of the smaller roots and rocks at a
normal speed but will stop or slow down if the obstacle is large
enough that it resembles a step. He also tends to have a strong pull
because he loves hiking so much, and I find this to be great
counterbalance on the uneven surface. I usually try to stay more
toward the front if I'm in a group because Thai does better looking
out for overhead obstacles if he doesn't think he's following someone.
Other than that though, I don't find that I need any special
preparations for a hike.

Danielle and Thai, who always suggests taking the trail that leads to water

On 2/16/16, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Deanna.
> When working my dog in rough country, I've found a sturdy walking stick to
> be very helpful.  My dogs have done their best to find the clearest path,
> but even so there are rocks and roots, and I have weak ankles.  The stick
> helps me balance, and serves as a cane if I want to poke it about.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deanna Lewis via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 11:21 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> (nagdu at nfbnet.org)
> Cc: Deanna Lewis
> Subject: [NAGDU] Hiking with your guide dog
>
> Hi all,
> Hope you all are doing well. How many of you have gone hiking with your
> guide dogs? Can you offer any tips on how best to do this? I'm planning a
> trip this spring, and want to go hiking.
> I took Pascal to a few state parks/nature preserves, but we always walked
> on
> a trail or walkway. Mambo has been to Muir Woods, but again that was on a
> smooth trail. I kind of wonder how the dog adjusts to a rougher terrain,
> like rocks, hills, and tree roots sticking out? I am not sure what the
> paths
> are like where we are going, so I want to be as prepared as possible. I
> would prefer to work my dog while hiking, and not use sighted guide. Any
> tips are much appreciated.
> Thanks!
> Deanna and Mambo
>
>
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