[NAGDU] Acclimating a dog to being at the side of a pool

Tue Jul 18 13:09:29 UTC 2017

I think I used to just put my dog at a down-rest beside whatever
equipment I was working out on, or, tie her down using it. She just
rested and looked on, until I was ready to move on. I go in the pool
sparingly so never had the chance to test there reactions withme in
ther. I think, I had Fagin when I was doing srimming lessons and water
aerobics and he just rested as told and watched it all.

On 7/17/17, Heather Bird via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I would bring her, on leash, in harness, to whatever event or sporting
> activity you want to participate in. Sit with her at the farthest away
> point
> in the room and let her watch the dancers, swimmers, skaters, players, etc.
> Then sit a little bit closer, then still closer, moving every two to ten
> minutes, depending on your dog's reactions. If it is appropriate to get
> that
> close, then bring her right up to the edge of the action if this does not
> put her in harm's way. For instance, having her come right up to within
> feet
> of dancers who can see her and or who know that she is there, would be
> appropriate. Bring her right up to where a ball or hockey puck is flying
> around and could hit her, would not be wise, so use your good judgment. If
> she acts apprehensive, then go back a bit and sit a little longer before
> trying to get closer again. If she is nervous about people wearing strange
> clothing such as football gear, face masks, body padding, sleep shades
> during Goal Ball, tap shoes during tap dancing, etc., then have her meet
> someone wearing this equipment or uniform and let them pet her and or give
> her a treat, something to create a positive association, and to show her
> that these weird looking creatures are just humans wearing funny clothing
> or
> equipment. Once she is used to these goings on, then go and participate
> yourself with her on tie-down or in a crate where she can see you. If your
> dog has a tendency to tip, roll or walk soft sided crates around, then
> stake
> it to the ground if you are outdoors such as at a field for Beep Baseball,
> or use a tie-down cable rather than the crate. Never, Ever, use a soft
> sided
> crate near a pool, if you A. have a dog who rolls or walks their crate
> around, and B. have no way to secure the crate in place, such as by staking
> it into the earth or placing it between, secure, immovable objects, such as
> between a table and a support column. If a dog were to fall or jump into a
> pool they could likely swim to the side and be helped out. If they were to
> tip their crate into the pool, they could easily drown, as the crate would
> quickly fill with water and drag them below the surface before someone
> could
> free them. If your dog wines and cries while you are doing a particular
> activity, you could either ignore them to avoid reinforcing this with
> attention, or verbally correct them or utilize a "quiet" command, depending
> on which your particular dog is most likely to respond to. If your dog
> barks, then correcting would probably be best, but for wining, ignoring
> might better do the trick. It might mean having a trusted fellow handler or
> educated friend or family member there to verbally or physically correct
> your dog while you are dancing, swimming, etc., and cannot be there to
> correct your dog. If they react to the activity, but only when you are
> doing
> it, then having someone else there to correct or redirect is necessary, but
> if they react to the activity even when you are not part of it, then, of
> course, you can be the one to give the corrections, praise and commands
> until the problem is resolved. To work your dog around an in-ground
> swimming
> pool, you should treat the pool edge like a platform at a subway or train
> station. So, your dog should approach it strait on, and then stop, and then
> turn in front of you and walk to the right, keeping themselves between you
> and the edge of the pool, or whatever protocol your particular school
> teaches for platform refusal and other platform work. The very first time,
> bring a long white cane or a sighted assistant to see exactly where the
> edge
> is as you approach, unless you had the forethought to go over this during
> the freelance portion of your in-class or home training experience. Many
> dogs will not be able to recognize that the pool is a drop off and would
> just fall right in, with you. Others see it is a drop off, but want to leap
> in and go swimming, which can be handled the way you would handle a dog
> distraction, food distraction or similar. Other dogs see the drop off, but
> react strangely to the bobbing heads of swimmers or floating toys, as this
> novel visual perspective can make them see people's heads as toys, prey, or
> small creatures not connected with human bodies. Having a trainer with you
> to give feedback on your dog's reactions is best. If that is not available
> then getting a sighted helper is very helpful. In a pinch, you could
> position your AIRA in such a way that your agent could see and report back
> to you about your dog's body language as they approach the edge of the
> pool.
> I would urge anyone who swims regularly or walks near an in ground pool to
> request that you and your dog visit such a setting while still in training
> with your school of choice.
>
> I hope some of this is helpful.
>
> Heather Bird
> "They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't
> a Communist.
> Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
> Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I
> wasn't a trade unionist.
> Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a
> Protestant.
> Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up." -
> Martin Niemöller
> In our diverse society we must never fail to speak up in the face of Human
> Rights violations lest we be the next targets of such violations.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ricky Joe Cook
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2017 7:11 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: rickyjoecook at comcast.net
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Acclimating a dog to being at the side of a pool
>
>
> Hi when you go to the gym can you tell me what you do with her? Do you put
> her on tie down some where or do you just have her on a down and stay
> command?
>
> I am asking because I am trying to decide what is the best thing to do with
> Darcy when I go to the pool or to say line dancing at our club house.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ricky Joe & Darcy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: luannbowers4--- via NAGDU
> Sent: Saturday, July 8, 2017 4:04 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: luannbowers4 at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Acclimating a dog to being at the side of a pool
>
> Hi there. You're a little of her little ideas. To help you. When you go to
> the pool. Maybe. You would like to take one of her favorite blankets. For
> her to lay on. That might help her feel secure. And another thing. You
> might
> want to take one of her favorite bones. Or one of her favorite toys. I
> know.
>
> When I take these things to the gym. For my dog cadence. That helps her
> feel
> very secure. Hope this helps
>
>> On Jul 8, 2017, at 6:17 PM, Ricky Joe Cook via NAGDU
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all, while we are on the topic of pools and guide dogs. I wanted to
>> ask is a public pool a place that you legally can take your guide dog
>> and be covered by the ADA? Actually the pool is a community pool for
>> the 55 + community I live in and our guests.
>>
>> Ricky Joe Cook & Darcy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Janell via NAGDU
>> Sent: Saturday, July 8, 2017 2:40 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Cc: Janell
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Acclimating a dog to being at the side of a pool
>>
>> First I would just go to the pool several times but not swim.  Just
>> sit with her while there are others swimming and making noise... just
>> a thought
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ricky Joe
>> Cook via NAGDU
>> Sent: Saturday, July 8, 2017 4:28 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: rickyjoecook at comcast.net
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Acclimating a dog to being at the side of a pool
>>
>> Hi lisa, I am in the same boat with my black lab Darcy. I want to take
>> her to the pool with me and put her on tie down under an umbrella.
>>
>> I would say maybe not jumping into the pool but just walk into the
>> pool and as you do it reassure her that its alright. If she starts to
>> wine give her the command your school has for her to be quiet. Just a
>> suggestion.
>>
>> Ricky Joe Cook & Pilot Dog Darcy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Lisa Ison via NAGDU
>> Sent: Saturday, July 8, 2017 2:12 PM
>> To: Discussions Of The Seeing Eye
>> Cc: Lisa Ison ; Darla J. Rogers ; GDUI-Friends Moderator ;
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [NAGDU] Acclimating a dog to being at the side of a pool
>>
>>
>> Hi all, my name is Lisa Ison. I have a guide dog and her name is Nori.
>> I had her guide me to my apartment complexes pool today. I tied her
>> down under
>>
>> a table with an umbrella so she could have some shade. I thought she
>> might enjoy being out of the apartment and being with me while I swim
>> and had other people swimming as well. I thought she would like this
>> since she would
>>
>> not be stuck in the apartment all day. However when I jumped in she
>> whined like someone was killing her. How do I get her used to being at
>> the pool and
>>
>> being quiet. I tried jumping in twice and she whined both times. HELP!!!
>> I
>> want to be able to enjoy my weekends at the pool with my dog by my side.
>> What can I do? What would you suggest? Any help or advice would be
>> greatly appreciated and much valued.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Lisa Ison
>> Sent from my iPhone
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