[nagdu] My new dog

[Joy Relton]

Hey Ted,

This may be a great thing for you and Cruz, to go into New York. Especially
if you will be going to areas which are new to both of you. This way, both
of you have to stay focused on the duties and responsibilities of your part
of the partnership. I find that Belle gets more sniffy at times when she's
either feeling a little bored because we've been there and done that before,
or, when one of those two legged sighted people is around walking with us.
As far as turn styles, I usually work them like I do the revolving doors.
I.e., put the dog in my right hand and keep him/her on the right and rotate
the door from the right to the left so that the dog is on the widest part of
the opening. I hold onto the leash close to the collar so that I know that
the dog is in securely as we go through the tight spot so that the dog
doesn't somehow get pushed outside the door. Never, let someone run the
door/style for you as you should control the speed. Take a few minutes more
to do it the first few times and talk the dog through it. Having said all
that, sometimes the turn style doesn't affect the dog because they are
shorter and you can walk through normally. The former method won't affect
you getting through safely and will ensure that the dog doesn't get injured.
Gentle, but firm patience will help the experience to be a good one. AS far
as releaving areas. Some of the subway stations have parking areas above and
there are gravel areas around the edges. However, if you are talking about
subway stations down town, then, curbing at the edge of the street or
finding, some rare piece of grass are your options. Dogs are amazingly
adaptable. You can usually find a corner, curb or somewhere slightly off of
the beatened path to give them an opportunity to go. Just remember to allow
for extra time. After all, remember, it's not easy to go on command. The
tougher part is finding a trash can to take care of any deposits.

Best of luck to you and Cruz. Enjoy that enthusiasm, just curb it. I know
this well. I still have to tell my eight year old "all four on the floor".
By the way, she's eight today. Seriously, anticipating that sort of behavior
and curbing it before Cruz has a chance to jump works much better than
telling him  after the fact. 

Enjoy your new partner. Give him an extra pat for me. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of sblanjones11
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 4:20 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] My new dog


Dear Ted,
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW LIFE WITH YOUR NEW DOG!

Know that he will try things with you he didn't get away with in school.
This is normal, but stay on top of it, especially the sniffing. You might
try having family and friends help you with the jumping/overexuberance.
Have them come near and make over your dog.  when he starts getting excited
or jumping, they take hands off and turn their backs. He will learn.

Lots of things you haven't done before seem harder in anticipation.  But
when you actually try them, they will work out fine.

All the best to you both!
Susan & Rhoda
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Ted Shelly
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 7:54 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] My new dog

Hello all,

I have been home just over a week now with my new guide, Cruz, from the GDB
Oregon campus.  Cruz is a beautiful yellow lab and an excellent (though not
perfect!) guide.  He is undoubtedly a perfect companion and we are getting
on very, very well.  He is my first guide and I'm very happy to have him.

I've been taking him all over town and he does great, but has a tendency to
get distracted and start sniffing around.  He is also very fond of everyone
and is all to ready to jump all over people given half a chance.  But those
are pretty minor things, at least to me, and in general his guide work is
very good.

Our next big challenge will be a trip into New York City, as I live nearby.
I have a couple of concerns on that - getting him through subway turnstiles
and also finding a reasonable place to relieve him.  If there are any New
Yorkers out there who might have suggestions I would be grateful.

Ted

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