[NAGDU] How do you stay mobile with a guide dog?

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Hi Parham.
For most of the time I've had guide dogs, more than 40 years now, I was a student, then looking for work, then working for many years.  That got me and my dog out pretty much every day.  Now I'm retired, and before that was the pandemic.  I make a real effort to get out and go somewhere every day, either to run errands or just to take a walk around the neighborhood.  It's good for both of us. The only times I'm not eager to go out is if it's raining or if the sidewalks are icy.
Guide dogs have been bred for generations to work.  They like to work, and they get bored if they don't get enough to do and start getting into mischief.  "A tired dog is a good dog" is an old trainer saying.  Words to live by.

I don't think I'd get out as much if I didn't have the extra push of working the dog.
Tracy 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Parham Doustdar via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2023 7:46 AM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Parham Doustdar <parham90 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] How do you stay mobile with a guide dog?

Hi all,
As a prospective guide dog user, I’m curious how you all stay mobile with a guide dog. Do you go on hikes together? Do you go on city walks? Do you find that your daily walks have helped you go out more?
I’m curious about this because I live in the Netherlands where it’s dark and cold in the morning for like 8 months of the year, haha. I think that the accountability of caring for a guide dog will also make it a no brainer to get some sunlight (when it exists) every day. I wonder if this has actually been your experience, and what you all found on the other side of having a guide dog and going out more.
Thanks a lot,
Parham
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