[NAGDU] Dogs and Canes in Tandem?

[Tracy Carcione]

It is good to have a cane with you, if only for emergencies.  
I was recently in class, and we worked on using a cane in a sidewalkless
area to check that my new dog wasn't drifting away from the curb.  We also
used canes in the early part of class while we were still heeling the dogs
in the building.  My instructor kept reminding me not to swing the cane in a
way so it went in front of the dog, because it might make him anxious.  That
took some getting used to.  So now, if I use a cane while I'm out working,
which I almost never do, I'll have to take careful thought of how I'm waving
it about.  But Igloo is particlularly alert to things, and another dog might
not really care.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Stacie Gallegos
via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2022 8:38 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Stacie Gallegos
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Dogs and Canes in Tandem?

Hello there. This is a great question. I have had two guide dogs. And am 
hoping to get my third and the near future. Using your cane along with your 
dog is absolutely no problem and I personally think it is a great idea to 
have a cane with you. With my first dog, I was at a conference, and he got 
sick. Had I not had my cane, I would not have had a way to travel 
independently. I look at it as having a toolbox and having all kinds of 
tools at your disposal for whatever situation may come about.

---
Stacie Gallegos / President
National Federation of the Blind Houston Chapter
(346) 704-0190 | SGallegos at nfbtx.org



On April 28, 2022 6:57:46 AM Diane Graves via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Greetings Once Again,
>
>  
>
> Back again with my 2nd question. I'm wondering if any of you use your dog
> and your cane at the same time when exploring unfamiliar environments?
>
>  
>
> As I've posted here before, I didn't decide to try using a dog until later
> in life. As a result, the learning curve relative to the transition from
> cane to dog was quite steep. My initial instructor was very condescending;
> not encouraging at all, so I didn't get the same quality of training as
> others likely did. Anyway, shortly after Izzo and I got together I took a
> pretty nasty fall. This was likely my fault, but nonetheless, it was
> frightening. That said, I  remain very apprehensive when in unfamiliar
> environments wherein I don't know exactly where the curbs and steps are.
>
>  
>
> Have any of you had similar experiences? Do you see any problems with
> walking with the dog while checking out the new or unfamiliar environment
> with the cane at the same time?
>
>  
>
> Any feedback appreciated.
>
>  
>
> Thanks,
>
> Diane Graves
>
>  
>
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