[nagdu] Where your dog sleeps at night, etc.

[Wayne Merritt]

Personally, I've kept up the tie down routine at night, or whenever I
want my dog to stay in her place so to speak, such as when I'm eating
or cooking something in the kitchen. I've gradually been giving her
more freedom when I'm making things in the kitchen, but more often
than not she's on the tie down during that time. I don't think she
views it in a negative light like I've heard some family members
express. It's just her place and she knows that that's where she's
supposed to be whenever food is out, or whenever I go and stand by the
couch. It's funny, I can just walk up and stan dby the couch's end and
not say anything, and she will trot over to it and sit right down very
contently, as if she's saying, "Okay, I'm here.".

Wayne

On 2/21/10, Jennifer L Finley <jenniferfinley at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> ya, I understand what you are saying.  I gues that I thought that you had to
> keep them tied down at night at home because that's what they do at the
> seeing eye.  I am so glad that I got on this email list.  Everyone seems to
> be very nice and helpful.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Weiner" <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 6:49 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Where your dog sleeps at night, etc.
>
>
>> Hi, Jennifer.
>>
>> Not necessarily is my answer.
>> You are told at guide dog school while there to keep your dog on tie-down
>> at
>> night.
>> It is recommended for you to do that at home for a certain amount of time,
>> but you can gradually start giving your dog freedom as he or she earns the
>> privilege.
>> My dogs, fortunately, have never really misbehaved at night and I let them
>> choose where they want to be, I mean they're trustworthy just settling
>> down
>> wherever. My dog now will eventually come in to my room as I leave my door
>> open and settle down with me.
>> I think it's good for a dog to be able to move around.  Pretty much a
>> guide
>> dog is a pet at home with certain rules.
>> Saying the dog roams at might makes it sound like the dog's constantly
>> wandering around, prowling and getting in to trouble--smile.
>>
>> I've actually found that the dog's getting in to more mischief during the
>> day if he's bored or something--smile.
>> For example, a lot of dogs will get in to garbage or pick up and chew
>> things, so you might want to say, keep doors of rooms with a lot of
>> tempting
>> stuff closed or put the temptations up somewhere high.
>>
>> When I first got a dog I was nervous about what I should be doing with the
>> dog every moment of every day and whenever the dog moved around--smile.
>> After about six months I realized that, to quote Marion, "don't sweat the
>> small stuff".
>> A dog will fit in to your routine and you'll gradually incorporate it in
>> to
>> your life, or the dog will incorporate itself--smile.
>>
>> Now, having said that I know there are guide dog owners who choose to be
>> more restrictive with their dogs at night and I'm not trying to disrespect
>> them, just telling you what I do.
>>
>> A guide dog isn't a robot, you learn to work with them and understand
>> them.
>> I say that because in one message you mentioned cat litter and asked
>> "can't
>> you just tell the dog to leave it".
>> I'm not criticizing you, just pointing out something a lot of people don't
>> understand, it's not like a button you can press and the dog acts.  You'll
>> learn at school training methods and ways of teaching your dog to do
>> things
>> or not do things, it won't be automatic--smile.
>>
>> We look forward to hearing from you and of your success with your training
>> when it happens.
>>
>> Dan W. and Carter
>>
>>
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>
>
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