[Sportsandrec] [Sportsandrec) Gyms and dog guides

Wed Sep 5 15:46:25 UTC 2012

What I did was use a cane first until I memorized where everything was, 
then trained my dog to stop at the machines and benches I usually use. 
It worked great for me and she insists that I stop and do certain things 
when I'm trying to flake.  But she is a shepherd and sometimes people 
stare at her in the gym and it makes her bark.  Also she has startled 
people doing sit-ups in the middle of the floor by licking their face.
Mike

On 9/5/2012 6:33 AM, Bill Kociaba wrote:
> Hi again Tony,
> OK you know the drill then.  The good thing is it will open up conversations
> with the regulars in the gym and you might be able to get yourself a
> training partner.   If thats something you might want.  My current dog hated
> all the banging and clanging for a while but eventually adapted to it.  The
> biggest problem I found when trying to work her on the gym floor was she did
> what she was supposed to do.  Find the open clearest path.  The problem was
> finding what I wanted as she would try to "save me" from crashing into
> whatever I was looking for.  Getting the dog to find the incline bench or
> leg press or treadmill is not easy.  Just curious, how long have you had
> this dog and where did it come from
> Bill
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Toni King
> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 8:51 AM
> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Sportsandrec) Gyms and dog guides
>
> Hello Bill,
> Thank you so much for your reply and for sharing your experience.  I am
> very grateful to hear others have had   success with their guides in
> gyms.  Wednesdays is the slowest week day which is why we picked today to
> get started so good to hear that was the best choice.
> This guide is new but my 3rd so yes fully prepared for all the "may I pet
> your dog"  request.
> Take Care,
> Toni
> Original message:
>> Hi Tony,
>> Welcome to the list.  My best suggestion would to not start your first
>> time at "prime time" when the gym is crowded.  Its going to be sensory
>> overload for the dog. Its a great idea to try to go in at a quieter
>> time at first and try to learn the basic layout. Figure out what
>> equiptment you will be regularly using and kind of justget  yourself
>> and the dog comfortable. It will make things much easier when you do
>> go and the place is crowded.  You said a new guide dog.  Expect the
>> dog to be the center of attention and be ready to deal with that.
>> Once you become part of the regular crowd it will be cool and no one
>> will bother the dog but at first expect lots of people wanting to pet
> her/him.
>> I have been bringing my dogs into gyms for the past 15 years and never
>> have had any problems.  What I have found works best for me though is
>> to place the dog in a fixed spot rather than trying to work her around the
> gym floor.
>> I tried that at first but found it just took too long to change to a
>> different piece of equiptment and then resettle the dog etc. Manigment
>> may allow you to put the dog behind the counter or somewhere else out
>> of the way while you do your workout.  I just find it much easier that
>> way.  I just find a corner and that becomes her spot and I check on
>> her sevral times during my workout.  People tell me she watches me
>> whereever I am and eventually just goes to sleep til I come back.
>> Thats just how I have found it to work the best for me.  You may
>> prefer to keep the dog with you.  If I can be of any help re the gym
>> the dog etc please feel free to contact me off the list Bill
>> williamkociaba at comcast.net
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Toni King
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 7:59 AM
>> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Sportsandrec) Gyms and dog guides
>> Hello Everyone,
>> My name is Toni and I am new to the list. i have joined a gym and will
>> be going for the first time after work today.  I have a new dog guide
>> and have not gone to the gym with a guide before.  i have spoken to a
>> lady here who takes her guide with great results but I thought I would
>> post and ask if there is any suggestions to make this a great start for us
> both.
>> Thanks in advance for your input.
>> Take Care,
>> Toni
>> --
>> Check out my blog
>> www.samobile.net/users/tkk/
>> Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature....
>> Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
>>     Helen Keller, The Open Door (1957)
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> --
> Check out my blog
> www.samobile.net/users/tkk/
>
> Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature.... Life is
> either a daring adventure or nothing.
>     Helen Keller, The Open Door (1957)
>
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