[NAGDU] Questions from a potential future guide dog user.

Tue May 14 22:39:50 UTC 2019

Hello Sandra,

Please find my answers below your questions.

On Tue, May 14, 2019 at 2:46 PM Sandra Gayer via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hello Everyone,
> Thanks for all your help and advice, both on and off list. I wonder if
> I could keep this thread going and ask another question around keeping
> the dog clean and tidy?
>
> How do you cope with keeping the dog's general smells to a minimum? I
> understand that they smell a bit, they are dogs and big dogs at that.
> However, I have come across guide dogs, and guide dog teams, on rare
> occasions i'd like to add, who inspire a negative gut reaction and I
> do not want to be responsible for such a reaction in other people. I
> have read that regular brushing causes the dog to smell less, getting
> them washed once a month helps as well. Any thoughts would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
Dog smell can be taken care of by grooming your dog. If the dog gets dirty,
it may be time for a bath. Keeping the dog's bedding clean helps with dog
smell. Brushing a dog's teeth and giving them treats or bones which are
good for the teeth is a good idea.  Using a jacket in the rain helps, but
when it's wet your dog will smell like a wet dog. Using some sort of
moisturizing oil may help. Feeding a pretty good quality food will help as
well. Please note though that no matter what you do, some people will have
a negative reaction, and will claim that they smell your dog. Some people
don't like dogs, and it isn't personal to you or your dog. So just be you,
do what you can, and don't worry about it too much.

>
> Just a couple of other questions, the constant hair shedding? Any
> ideas?

Brush your dog regularly. Clean the dog's bedding, and your house as well.
And expect your dog to shed, at times more than others. Carry around a
thing to get the hair off your clothes (can't remember the name at the
moment). And accept that part of being a dog owner is dealing with dog
hair.

> Last but not least, releaving. I know the handler has to pick
> up after the dog has releaved him/herself but does that include urine
> as well as the other type of output?
>
*R e l i e v i n g* is an interesting one. No, you don't pick up urine, but
you will clean it if it happens at home, and being prepared with some paper
towels in an airport is a pretty good idea. Being cognizant of where your
dog relieves is important. Where is your dog urinating, and is that place
appropriate for them to urinate? is it a high-trafficked  area where people
are walking? How close is it to a building? Is it on someone's lawn? All
things to consider, but if your dog urinates, just keep it moving and don't
worry about cleaning it up. If it is near your house, you may want to hose
it down once in a while.
Thanks.

>
> Very best wishes,
> Sandra.
>
> On 5/10/19, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > Hi Sandra.
> > I've had 7 dogs now, and most of them have enjoyed going new places.  Get
> > out of that old rut, oh yeah!  So long as they don't sense that I feel
> > anxious or lost, they're very happy to see new places.  Like others have
> > said, just let the trainers know you enjoy travel and need a dog who will
> > enjoy it, too.
> >
> > One of the things about having a dog is you have to get used to people
> > talking about dogs wherever you go.  Sometimes they talk to each other,
> and
> > sometimes to me.  Sometimes they tell me things my dog has already told
> me,
> > like we're at some steps.  Other times, they expect the dog to do
> > everything, including reading traffic signals.  And they almost always
> > think
> > the dog is bigger than he actually is, and that he won't fit somewhere,
> > when
> > really he can fit a lot of places.
> > Tracy
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Gayer
> via
> > NAGDU
> > Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2019 4:44 PM
> > To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> > Cc: Sandra Gayer
> > Subject: [NAGDU] Questions from a potential future guide dog user.
> >
> > Hello Everyone,
> > I'm new to the list and I use a long cane. I apologise in advance if
> > my questionshave been asked before or seem dim to all of you seasoned
> > guide dog owners.
> >
> > I know guide dogs are taught to guide you around obstacles and find a
> > clear rout but, what if there is no clear rout?
> >
> > I use walls, rails and other edges to know where I am. However, I know
> > that guide dogs are taught to walk in the centre of a path. Does
> > anyone find this disorientating? I get a, sort of, no man's land
> > feeling when I'm in open spaces. Is this something you learn to get
> > used to?
> >
> > I'm a Singer, an Actor and a Broadcast Presenter. I travel to new
> > places quite a lot. I have read that guide dogs thrive on routine.
> > Does that mean that the guide dog wouldn't perform well in new
> > environments?
> >
> > I'm wondering if anyone has come across a person using a guide dog but
> > using a cane on the right side? I just don't see how else I could get
> > information about the ground; slight rises, dips, there is shared
> > curbing in the UK, where I live, and although this means there is no
> > curbe, there is a slight difference in texture to the ground. Also,
> > things like changes in relief are communicated easily through the
> > cane.
> >
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> > Very best wishes,
> > Sandra.
> >
> > --
> > Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.
> >
> > Soprano Singer
> > www.sandragayer.com
> >
> > Broadcast Presenter
> > www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html
> >
> > Actor
> > www.visablepeople.com
> >
> > Voiceover Artist
> > www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer
> >
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> >
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>
>
> --
> Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.
>
> Soprano Singer
> www.sandragayer.com
>
> Broadcast Presenter
> www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html
>
> Actor
> www.visablepeople.com
>
> Voiceover Artist
> www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer
>
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-- 
Best,

Nimer Jaber

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