[NAGDU] Hello

Wed Dec 13 15:44:55 UTC 2023

Hi, Jacklyn.

My first dog wouldn't do his job in the street for about a year.  I lived with my parents at the time, and he used the same grass our other dogs did.  Somehow, I was able to avoid problems until the following summer, when he crapped in the NFB national convention hotel.  This happened maybe twice.  I determined that I'd better get him to be willing to use the street or I'd end up being about as welcome as rabies.  I don't remember having much method to my effort, but over time he got good at it, and I think he had only one hotel accident after that, five or six years later.

My next three dogs took some time to use the street.  My current dog took no time at all, starting right when I got home with him from Seeing Eye.

Obviously, in the short term you should use whatever grass you can when at the Washington Seminar.  This year, ther3e was a spot across the street from the hotel that many of us used, and I'd guess it will be available next year unless something has changed.  In the long run, though, it probably would be good if you can teach him to use the street.  Sheldon clearly prefers grass, but I'd be in big trouble if he didn't make full use of the curbside:  he has set records in the number of stops he makes when we're walking, and only some of those are just for sniffing.

Best!
Al

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Debbie Malone via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 10:04 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Debbie Malone <dmalone510 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Hello

Hi Jaclyn,
I have been to washington seminar several times. There are places with grass that your dog can relieve. Planning extra time before and between appointments helps. My guide dog also doesn't go on concrete. I have had no problems finding areas for her to relieve herself. Feel free to contact me off list. I'm very happy to help you figure it out.
My number is 774-786-0177.

On Wed, Dec 13, 2023, 9:35 AM Jenine Stanley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> HI,
>
> Though I have never been to a national seminar, I’ve been to DC and 
> other places without grass often.
> One thing you might want to start now is to have your dog learn to 
> relieve on something other than grass just in case. There are several 
> ways to do this. If you don’t have another dog in the household, you 
> can try taking your dog to a place where there is no grass he can get 
> to easily. If he does relieve, give him a high value treat 
> immediately. You’d be surprised how well that works. With one of our 
> dogs here, we started giving the treat when relieving on grass so the dog would expect it upon going.
>
> If you do have another dog available, have it go on the concrete.
> Amazingly, your dog will most likely go right on top. This is how we 
> got my husband’s dog, who relieves mostly on grass, to go anywhere my 
> dog went, concrete, airport relief areas, sand, gravel, etc.
>
> Have a great time at the seminar and in DC.
>
> Jenine and Curtis
>
> > On Dec 13, 2023, at 9:25 AM, Richard via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Jaclyn,
> >
> > No doubt you will receive better up-to-date information from others 
> > on
> this list. I make "hill visits" fairly often and find there are 
> several grassy areas near the congressional office buildings. Most of 
> the buildings, including the Hart Senate Building, are located on 
> streets. I have found grassy areas between the sidewalks and the 
> buildings, although sometimes the grass is planted on a steep incline. 
> There is grass near the Capitol visitors center also. I haven't had 
> difficulty in finding places for pups to relieve on grass. My pups 
> will relieve on concrete although typically do so more quickly on grass.
> >
> > I hope you have a great experience in DC.
> >
> >
> > Richard Petty
> > Richard.petty at earthlink.net
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jackie via NAGDU
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 7:41 AM
> > To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> > Cc: Jackie <schiemja at gmail.com>
> > Subject: [NAGDU] Hello
> >
> > Good morning everyone! I am a new guide dog user. I got my dog from
> Southeastern Guide Dogs in FL even though I live in Ohio. Yesterday we 
> celebrated 6 months as a team!
> >
> > I did have a question. Is anyone going to the Washington Seminar? 
> > I’m
> going this year and I’m worried about having the time and a place 
> around the senate buildings to let him relieve himself. He won’t go on 
> concrete so I’m really worried about it. Has anyone been to the 
> Washington Seminar before? How did you handle this???
> >
> > Thank you for your time!
> >
> >
> > Jaclyn Schiemann
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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