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

Wed May 15 13:17:51 UTC 2019

I brush my dog every day, without exeption, unless I'm so seriously ill I
can't get out of bed.  I bathe my dogs very seldom.  I don't think my
current dog has had a bath in at least 2 years, but he is clean because of
regular brushing.  I guess, like people, some dogs have a stronger smell
than others, but I've had 7 dogs now, and none of them has been smelly
except when wet.  Not counting a couple run-ins with skunks, which
definitely required a bath!  
I think that labs shed less than shepherds.  Shepherds blow coat in a big
way in spring and fall.  I had a hard time keeping up with my sheppie's
shedding at those times.  But my labs have been pretty easy.  I have a lint
brush for my clothes, but don't use it that often.  I vacuum occasionally,
but certainly not every day, or even every week, mostly.  But the house
doesn't smell of dog.  
I pour water on the dog's regular pee spot when the weather starts warming
up.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Gayer via
NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 5:45 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Sandra Gayer
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Questions from a potential future guide dog user.

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.

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

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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-- 
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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