[nagdu] petting guide dog question

[Craig Heaps]

I think you have to work backward from the ultimate goal: your safety.

The reason we ask people not to pet our dogs is because it can distract 
them.  If it distracts them, they might not guide us safely.  So, someone 
might say, if you're just sitting there, what difference does it make if 
your dog is distracted?  Because it tells the dog it's okay to be petted 
while in harness, and the dog might not differentieate between "just sitting 
there" and crossing the street.

So you discourage petting so your dog gets the message that when he/she is 
in harness, it's time to focus.  No seeking affectioin.  No scavenging for 
food.  No sniffing the bushes.

I tell people, "Please don't pet my guide dog.  It can make him distracted. 
And when he's distracted, I tend to walk into fire hydrants and parking 
meters.  I've found that to be very painful."  They usually laugh and say 
they understand.

That said, I sometimes let people (especially children) pet Chase.  It's the 
real world and you have to use your judgment.  Just remember, it's about 
your safety.

Craig and Chase, who loves to be petted
craig.heaps at comcast.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Sanders via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2014 7:40 AM
Subject: [nagdu] petting guide dog question


> Hi,
> I have a question: I know that this topic has already been talked about so 
> I do apologize for reposting it.
> I had talked with my parents and they said that they were ok with me 
> getting a guide dog.
> My mom had asked me, if me and the guide dog were just sitting there and 
> the guide dog wasn’t working, what would I say to some one who wanted to 
> pet him?
> I remember a lot of people saying that while the guide dog is working, 
> people are not supposed to pet him.
> I’m just wondering:  when your not working with the guide dog, do you 
> allow other people to pet them?
> I hope to hear from you soon.
> Sincerely,
> John Sanders
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