[NAGDU] Loose Dogs

Rachel Grider rachel.grider at gmail.com
Thu Sep 1 14:18:41 UTC 2016


Thanks guys! I feel better about the situation now. I definitely will do it differently next time, but I guess that's what it's all about with a guide dog: not dealing with a particular situation very well the first time, then modifying your approach the next time it happens. I am very grateful that the dogs were not vicious, but I don't like seeing loose dogs because they could so easily get hurt by traffic. Those dogs literally ran across that really Busy street just to come see us!

http//www.rachelgrider.com

> On Aug 31, 2016, at 04:17, Julie J. via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I think you did fine.  Sometimes stuff happens and you just have to roll with it the best that you can.
> 
> I've had dogs follow me before.  If my dog is reasonably well behaved, then I keep going and don't worry about the other dog.  If the dog is really close and wanting to visit, I might let the dogs greet briefly, then pat the other dog and tell him, okay and go home.  I also move myself between the two dogs and turn my shoulders slightly away from the other dog and toward my own.  And don't turn your face toward the other dog, making eye contact will encourage interaction.  If I need to, I'll give the other dog a nudge toward leaving.  Usually by this time either the other dog has gotten the hint and moved along or someone has come to collect him.  Either way is fine with me and I don't worry about it.  I kind of enjoy meeting friendly dogs when I'm out.
> 
> It depends on your dog's personality though.  All of my dogs have been very different.  Belle was skittish around other dogs when they got really close. She didn't want to meet and greet.  Monty was super excited to meet new dogs when he was younger.  Now he's pretty indifferent.  He doesn't react much at all, except for maybe a glance in their direction.  Jetta is dog distracted and does love to meet new dogs, but I think other dogs find her intimidating because I never get random dogs coming up to her.
> 
> Don't be so hard on yourself.  I think you handled it fine. Also I think Demi was about as good as she could have been in the circumstance.
> 
> Julie
> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> -----Original Message----- From: Rachel Grider via NAGDU
> Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 5:05 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Rachel Grider
> Subject: [NAGDU] Loose Dogs
> 
> Hello, NAGDU Friends:
> 
> Twice this month, Demi and I have encountered dogs that were running loose with no leash or owner.
> 
> The first time, these two very small dogs just started following us. I don't know if they had collars, but there was no one else around. They were not aggressive or anything; they were just flirting with Demi. At first, Demi was interested, but I gave her a verbal correction, and she showed no more interest. The dogs followed us for several blocks, and they seemed to find it fun to run circles around us which caused Demi to slow down to avoid them. I planned to call animal services, but after a few blocks, they ran into the open door of an office building, so I decided to let someone else figure it out. No harm was really done, and I thought that Demi behaved fairly well under the circumstances.
> 
> What happened today was a different story, and I know I didn't handle it very well. Demi and I were walking down a very busy street, and there was no one else on the sidewalk. I heard a soft pattering sound coming from the street, and I didn't realize what it was until the two dogs which were both about Demi's size ambushed her. They weren't trying to hurt her, but they were trying very hard to engage with her--and Demi, who is normally very good about not engaging with anyone but me, dog or otherwise, while she is in harness, was sniffing and licking right back. I tried everything to get her to move, but everytime she would try to take a step forward, the dogs would either step in front of her or draw her attention again in some other way. I probably should have given her a high-collar correction, but it literally didn't even cross my mind at the time because I never have to go that far with her--but even if I had done that, it wouldn't have gotten rid of those dogs...Anyway, after about a minute of trying to get Demi to focus and shew the dogs away, these two ladies came and pulled the dogs away from us by their collars. They were really nice and said that they had me having trouble with them and that they would call animal services to try and find their owners. I thanked them, but I felt really stupid that I couldn't handle my own dog well in this situation.
> 
> What have you all done in similar situations? If this happens again, I want to be able to handle it without help...
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Rachel
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