[nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?

Fri Dec 10 12:37:08 UTC 2010

Doug,
    One of my favorite phrases to say to my 100-pound Shepherd when one of 
those little yappers start going at it is, "I that dog could kill you! You 
could choke on it!" (grin)

Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Parisian" <eggmann at mts.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 6:20 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?


> Oh Marion, you mean I'm not a bad boy after all?  When I owned a house, 
> all of my dogs were allowed to be a dog at home, and yes indeed, all of 
> them played in the yard at will, and I trained all of them to come off 
> leash when called.  And hey, you wanna take your dogs harness off for 
> relieving when it's minus 30 Canadian, not including wind chill--be my 
> guest.  I ain't doing it!!
>
> And another thing, I in fact trained all my dogs to bark when they wanted 
> in, and my present lady abuses all my friends when they walk into my 
> apartment--they love it (love me, love my dog!)  I've never had a problem 
> with inappropriate barking, even when those little yappers kick up their 
> racket when we walk buy.  I once had a friend who called them sandwich 
> dogs--just enough meat for a sandwich.
>
> Doug: I'm Gold finger's brother--cold finger.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 4:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?
>
>
>> Julie,
>>    By many people's definition, I am probably not a "good handler" 
>> either! I don't mind if my dog gets on the furniture - it's leather and 
>> isn't affected by dog hair, nails, and fluids clean up easily. I don't 
>> always remove Sarge's harness when I relieve him! I also play tug with 
>> him and even let him win sometimes! One of his favorite toys is a tennis 
>> ball, a big no-no if you ask a trainer! I encourage Sarge to bark when he 
>> feels like it! If someone asks if he bites, I might say "yess", "Maybe", 
>> or "I don't know yet"! If I find that any of these practices affect his 
>> work, I would change them, but they don't! He is a great working dog! I 
>> let him be a dog when he is at home, while insisting on a disciplined 
>> work ethic! I have no problem admitting these things because I have no 
>> fear GDF will take him away from me. After all, I own him and they have 
>> no say in the matter any more! Lifewise, if I have a problem with some 
>> aspect of his work, I have no concern contacting them and asking for 
>> help. I am absolutely certain that they will not interfere in my life and 
>> know they realize they have no right to do so! these are the privileges 
>> and assurances of ownership!
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 12:37 PM
>> Subject: [nagdu] what is a good guide dog handler?
>>
>>
>>>I think everyone here knows that sometimes I think too much! *smile* 
>>>this mornings ponderings are about just exactly what makes up a *good* 
>>>guide dog handler or dog owner in general.
>>>
>>> I don't know that I have any really great answers.  I know for certain 
>>> that we all have our own ideas of what is *good* and what isn't.
>>>
>>> Sometimes my dogs drink out of the toilet.  Sometimes they eat poop in 
>>> the yard.  I let Monty run off leash.  this year I used cedar bug 
>>> repellant instead of a more toxic flea treatment from the vet. I only 
>>> clean ears maybe twice a year.  I give them baths whenever I feel like 
>>> it, not on a regular schedule.  I never use a tie down.  rarely do I use 
>>> a crate anymore.  I play rough tug games with the dogs.  I let them 
>>> wrestle and chew on each other to their hearts content.  Belle enjoys 
>>> eating grasshoppers and I let her. I don't brush my dogs every day. 
>>> There's probably more but I'll stop.
>>>
>>> It feels really cathartic to get all of that off my mind.  I used to get 
>>> way more caught up in doing everything the *right* way.  I used to give 
>>> the dogs baths every week.   I didn't used to let Monty run off leash. 
>>> I used to brush them every day.  I gave it up and decided to do what 
>>> works for me.  I think we are all a lot happier with the new 
>>> arrangement.
>>>
>>> I no longer buy into what everyone else thinks is good or right or 
>>> whatever.  I think we all have to decide individually what works for us, 
>>> our particular dog and the situation we are in.  I'm sure that in 
>>> another 5 years I will have an entirely different set of rules.
>>>
>>> I still don't know what is good or right.  I only know what works for 
>>> me.
>>>
>>> Julie
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>>
>>
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>
>
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