[NAGDU] escalators..

[Debbie Gabe]

Hi,
I was taught at GDB that one of your feet needs to be one step ahead of your dog. Then you hold near or at the collar and you maintain control. When you feel the escalator start to even out, then you tell the dog to get ready to leave. 
Also, really important, is to put those doggie booties on her back feet. It will prevent super bad injuries to her paws.

 I usually take the escalator because I know where I am when I get off. If I take the elevators, I won't know where I end up because they're usually out of the way, whereas the escalators are usually in the middle.

Good luck
Debbie from Hawaii
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Diane Graves via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2024 4:19 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: rdgraves2007 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] escalators..

I often use the escalator to go down to the basement level when Izzo and I are at work at the government center. I will simply tell her "find escalator down." She then runs to the escalator because she knows she is going to get praise and a treat. I'm always careful to find and grasp the handrail before we go forward to step on. I typically keep hold of the harness, but thanks to scott's suggestion I may try putting her on "heel" and see if that works a little better. She hops off so fast at the bottom or the top that not having a very firm grip on that handrail would cause me to lose my balance. It may be because she is too far in front of me.


Robin (Diane) Graves
rdgraves2007 at gmail.com
317-238-9262

“TGIF: TODAY GOD IS FIRST.’—OS Hillman

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Wilson via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2024 7:41 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Scott Wilson <s.wilson661 at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] escalators..

Hi Madison, I believe most schools train for escalators, but some do not. I use them on occasion. If your dog has not been conditioned to use them, you may find he may not want to., it will require lots of praise and reassurance that they’re doing a good job. And when you get to the top, you need to throw a party to let them know they have done a great job. here is an example of how I approach an escalator, first, I work my dog all the way up to the escalator onto the metal plate finding the handrail on the right. Next next I drop the handle and hold the leash firmly in my left hand, I find the rubber rail that is moving with the stairs. On the right. Once I have orientated myself, I proceeded to walk on with my dog. I praise my dog all the way up until I feel the stairs starting to level out, a helpful hint is to spread your left leg across so your dog can’t walk up past you. Onc once the stairs start to level out, we begin walking forward to step off the escalator and keep walking until we’re on a firm surface that is not moving. remember keeping your dogs focus on you is key. finally throw a party and praise them all up for a job. Well done. To go down you do the same thing. You you may need to practice with your dog so you can get comfortable with it and your dog can as well. I hope this is helpful on how I travel on an escalator. If you wish to try it and see how it works I wish you lots of luck and safe travels. 
Best regards
Scott Wilson
727-423-4312

> On Jan 13, 2024, at 1:11 AM, Madison Martin via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> I was in a store a couple of weeks ago where the only way to get to 
> the second level was via an escalator so I got to wondering how do you 
> work a dog on one or is it better to avoid them whenever possible 
> because of the risk of injury to the dog? Just curious that's all; 
> look forward to reading any insight that anyone can provide me!
> Madison
> 
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