Category: Let's talk
Okay, so I am wondering if anyone allows friends to take their dog on a walk without the harness on of course. Sound off in subsequent posts.
If I'm sick or something, they are allowed to take him to the bathroom. They
are not allowed to take him for walks.
Yes, certain people. But it's a very, very restricted list. Mostly reserved for family because mine are excellent at respecting the rules, though I know not all people share that experience.
Otherwise what cody said if it's not people on that list.
Yes, I use to let family walk my first guide Heartly on leash once I'd given them all the rules. Wouldn't so much with my second guide, but if I'm on holiday without her, yes for sure.
I confess that when I was a child, someone I knew allowed me to walk with his guide dog. It was indoors, and just once around the school so I knew a bit of what it was like. He told me the very basics of what I needed to know. It was kind of scary actually, since the dog was obviously going at a man's pace and I was eight or so. Great dog though, very friendly.
If I had a guide dog, I doubt I'd let anyone walk him except for people I knew really, really well, people who would do exactly as I asked them to.
I let very few people take her out of my site.
Taking her out to the bathroom is a bit different than a walk because they are usually out and back in quickly.
I have been offered by a few people to ttake her out often but when they are too excited about it and ask to many times, I get a bit suspicious. lol.
I assume every responsible guide dog handler will have the same answers as above.
That's mine, too. At some point in the 8 or so years of having a dog, someone's going to have to take the puppy outside for you, maybe on a walk, say if you're in poor health and can't manage for awhile.
My husband can take my dog out, or anywhere, because he's familiar to her, and has also had guides from the same school, and our thoughts on how to care for the dogs and how to handle interactions with strangers and such are similar. I wouldn't much care to send my pup out with someone else, but occasionally it's necessary.
For instance, though she's not an unknown person, obviously, I wasn't thrilled that on my last visit to my parents, my mother took my dog outside without asking me, while I was in the shower! She's paranoid about accidents and doesn't really understand that I have a schedule, and my dog did not need to go out yet. Also I'd only had this dog for three months at the time.
I'm going to have to count on people to do this in the near future, and I'm not greatly happy about it, but on the other hand, I don't think there's any harm in it, it's just that I'm used to doing everything myself, and that's how I prefer it, which is sort of a bonding thing.
My mom would have gotten a furious talking to if she'd done that. You do not
touch my dog without my express permission. My family and friends learned
that quickly.
...which all makes it sound like I'm uptight about this, and I'm definitely not. *grin* As long as I know the person, it's fine. And it's not as if some stranger is ever just grabbing the leash and taking a dog away! LOL If so, someone has big problems.
I'd say the only thing I can get irate about is people feeding my dog.
I was volunteering at church for our (One Day With God) event.
It is a day when we round up male father prisoners and their kids and get them together to visit with one another... We provide parenting classes for the fathers and counceling for the gardians or mothers.
I had left my dog in a room next to the kitchen wear I was working in at the moment and while going back and forth to set up the guardian and mothers room before they showed up. I went to check on my dog and she had disappeared. I nearly lost it. Someone had moved her so they could take photos in that room. I voiced a lot with the man who moved her and had a few extra things to say because he did not want me to bring my dog in the first place and stuck me in the kitchen when I clearly stated I did not want to work there. He was one of those dumb sighted people.
A bit of perspective as someone who doesn't own dogs, but has walked someone's dog.
You giving a whole lot of rules and regulations isn't really being uptight, you know. Understand we don't want to frighten it, do something wrong that would get its training off, or whatever you all say.
I have stayed with a blind lady's dog for a few hours. I was 18 or so, she quite a bit older. She had specific instructions, including not letting it outside or ... well, um, shall we say smoking funny things around it ...
I had no problem with it, knowing I could just stick to that.
Now, there was another case where my Wife and I took someone's guide dog for a couple weeks while she was in a mental hospital. We had no instructions. You think you're uptight having no instructions? Hell no! It was way way worse having nothing.
I had to learn it always wanted to be on my left side rather than stay behind me as we used to do with my parents' dogs growing up, so they wouldn't try and run out to chase something or what have you. We didn't know how to put it into the hatchback because it couldn't or wouldn't jump like most dogs will do to get in. So I picked it up and put it in, when we took it to the beach and stuff. It obviously wasn't scared, it was thumping its tail and curled up on the blankets we had for it to make the bed softer.
In that situation, all the instructions we got were the portions of food to give it, seemd kinda skimpy to me but all I knew was country dogs growing up. A schedule for food and water was all we really got.
I say all this, because if you do have to have someone look after your dog, giving a ton of instructions is not uppity, uptight, stuck-up, or any of that. It just means the person knows they can get it right. I don't know if I'd ever do that again, probably would if I knew someone blind who needed it and I had a place to do it. But if I did, any kind of instructions like some of you are talking about would be welcome. I'd just stick to that.
I have no idea why someone who isn't a dog person would call you uppity for having a ton of instructions. I've both left my birds with people, and taken care of other people's birds. And I always left instructions for my own birds, and took other people's.
It also helps knowing what to ask too.
I pet sat a few dogs and after a couple times I learned what was important to know before they left.
How much to feed them.
what were their signs of needing to go out.
did they eat stuff other than food.
were they allowed on the furniture. This is important because they might do it after going back home if not aloud.
Do they scavedge or get in to trash.
allergies of any kind.
Meds
Typical feeding,walking and bathroom schedules.
Length of walking time they desire.
How do they do with other dogs.
Are they a ruff or easy player.
So on so on.
the part about do they eat anything other than food ment to be two things.
Can they have treats, and will they eat my carpet, minny blinds and shoes.
my husband occasionally took my forgmer guide dog out for walks. when my daughter gave birth I did the same forher. she had a c section and consequently couldn't do it for a while. however, those are exceptional situations.
It all depends on the handler, the dog, the training it has, the people around you I think. There are so many factors that influence whether someone can take my dog out to the toilet, or for a walk.
For example my housemates really want to walk isla, and that is a big no. However if it was my mum, dad or sister I would say yes. Though they are the only people who really get to do that. And only because they respect the rules. If they do something that violates it, then no, they don't get to go near her again. Also, I might not always say yes. Like if I want to work with her on something and don't want her being with others until I have, or if I know she's really tired I will say no.
She is also allowed to roam free at home, this includes in the garden. I am aware this is often in conflict with how US guide dogs are trained.
But I am comfortable with her having free movement in the house, and being allowed in and out of the garden as and when she wants.
as long as my dog exhibits good house behavior, no counter surfing jumping etc, she's allowed to roam freely. since I live in an apartment, going out on her own doesn't work. however, when it is warm, she'll probably love lying on the balcony and observing the comings and goings of my crazy neighbors. sometimes, I wish my former guide could talk because believe me there was and is a lot about which to comment
Leo, yes I agree, and if I were dog sitting, I'd want as much info as possible. What commands does the dog know and respond to? What and how much do they eat, and when, just to start with. I wouldn't hand off my pup for an extended time without supplying this information, because without it, that just makes for confusion and anxiety for the puppy and the person looking after her!
Oh yeah, my girl has free run of the house and yard. I'm sure people have their reasons, but it deeply distresses me to see people keep their guides on tie down, all the time at their own home, or confined to one room of the house. I have encountered both situations, but that was before I had a dog myself. It really troubled me then, but I didn't feel I could say anything.
Oh that is so sad when people do that. I have seen some do it too. My pup can go about freely. I am in an apartment now and I have a balcony she is free to go out on since I have it opened so often. I am sure she doesn't plan to jump off any time soon.
I live in a fancy place too and it looks like one of those in door hotels...
When we leave the apartment, your in a hall way and I will leave my door open when I take trash down to the shoot or laundry to the laundry room. and she has never left my apartment except to meet me like 2 feet from the door once. She will lay in the door way and watch me come back sometimes though.
When I live in a house, I would let her go outside freely. She will take her self out and back in for potty brakes.
My dog is so well behave and doesn't run off so she has that trust.
When I am the only one home, I let my dog roam wherever he wishes, except
in one room that is gated off. If people are home, I keep him in my room
because they let their dogs out, and their dogs are aggressive.
the only time I put my dog on tie down is if I'm cooking. I don't need her in my face in thekitchen. dogs and hot foods don't mix. since our kitchen is an extension of the living room, it's hard to enforce the out of thekitchen routine.
trusted family only, primarily dad. This past summer, I let a member of staff at summer camp walk her, but I get a feeling the lady only really liked me due to the dog's presence, not because I had anything to offer in terms of friendly conversation. if I were going to summer camp this year, I would be much more restrictive about who I choose to allow to walk Ditra.
Those kind of people bug me. The ones that only come around because they like your dog and they try to be so nice to have a chance to pet it. It is kind of rude and them using you.
Dogs seem oblivious about smaller birds like finches and canaries. I don't know if they just don't notice them, or don't care.
I'd never let someone's dog near a large bird like an Amazon or Afrigan Gray though, for fear of its nose getting bitten.
I also wouldn't let a bird out when a dog was there. But for all I've heard from bird people about dogs interacting with littler birds, scaring them and such, I've never ever seen that. I did always keep small birds' cages up high due to roosting safety issues for them, but still I'd have thought a dog would know they were there. And I thought dogs were genuinely curious creatures.
When I get a guide dog, I would only allow someone I trusted 1000% to walk with the dog. And even then, there would have to be a major reason for doing so, such as having a spell with my chronic illnesses/other health issues.
What? How did birds come into this topic? LOL
Yeah I was wondering that myself. What does birds have to do with whether
you'd let someone walk your dog guide? Are you letting the bird walk your dog
guide?
Bird came in to play here...
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Post 11 of 26 LeoGuardian
You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it? 7466 posts
Friday, 02-Dec-2016 16:40:14
A bit of perspective as someone who doesn't own dogs, but has walked someone's dog.
You giving a whole lot of rules and regulations isn't really being uptight, you know. Understand we don't want to frighten it, do something wrong that would get its training off, or whatever you all say.
I have stayed with a blind lady's dog for a few hours. I was 18 or so, she quite a bit older. She had specific instructions, including not letting it outside or ... well, um, shall we say smoking funny things around it ...
I had no problem with it, knowing I could just stick to that.
Now, there was another case where my Wife and I took someone's guide dog for a couple weeks while she was in a mental hospital. We had no instructions. You think you're uptight having no instructions? Hell no! It was way way worse having nothing.
I had to learn it always wanted to be on my left side rather than stay behind me as we used to do with my parents' dogs growing up, so they wouldn't try and run out to chase something or what have you. We didn't know how to put it into the hatchback because it couldn't or wouldn't jump like most dogs will do to get in. So I picked it up and put it in, when we took it to the beach and stuff. It obviously wasn't scared, it was thumping its tail and curled up on the blankets we had for it to make the bed softer.
In that situation, all the instructions we got were the portions of food to give it, seemd kinda skimpy to me but all I knew was country dogs growing up. A schedule for food and water was all we really got.
I say all this, because if you do have to have someone look after your dog, giving a ton of instructions is not uppity, uptight, stuck-up, or any of that. It just means the person knows they can get it right. I don't know if I'd ever do that again, probably would if I knew someone blind who needed it and I had a place to do it. But if I did, any kind of instructions like some of you are talking about would be welcome. I'd just stick to that.
I have no idea why someone who isn't a dog person would call you uppity for having a ton of instructions. I've both left my birds with people, and taken care of other people's birds. And I always left instructions for my own birds, and took other people's.
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and here
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Post 23 of 26 LeoGuardian
You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it? 7466 posts
yesterday 17:30:57
Dogs seem oblivious about smaller birds like finches and canaries. I don't know if they just don't notice them, or don't care.
I'd never let someone's dog near a large bird like an Amazon or Afrigan Gray though, for fear of its nose getting bitten.
I also wouldn't let a bird out when a dog was there. But for all I've heard from bird people about dogs interacting with littler birds, scaring them and such, I've never ever seen that. I did always keep small birds' cages up high due to roosting safety issues for them, but still I'd have thought a dog would know they were there. And I thought dogs were genuinely curious creatures.
(End of copied text from above)
I wouldn't give anyone else commands when walking another person's dog guide. My dog has free roaming of the house. No problems here. I have even let her off the leash on a trail. She always comes back.
I'm confused about the previous comment, a bit.
But nice that your dog is so well behaved!
No, I think we're referring to dogsitting, and knowing what commands the dog understands, so you can communicate with that dog instead of flailing about and trying to figure out how to make the pup understand that it's time to go for a walk. lie down, etc. and not that anyone's trying to undermine a dog handler by issuing random commands! LOL
I had a guide dog for 6 years, and never let anybody walk him. Even if someone is walking with you while working your dog, they should stand several feet behind you so that the dog doesn't try to clear them thru obstacles. As you are your dog's handler, he is taught to only protect you, not others. I don't think letting others walk them out of harness would affect their training, but you want to make sure your dog understands the difference. I got my guide dog at New York's guiding eyes facility, and his training was never compromised by distractions.
I'm not familiar with other guide dog schools, but I always tell people when they are thinking of applying that it is a lot of working. Keeping them on a regular feeding and bathroom schedule, managing their weight, brushing their teeth. It's an incredible experience, but there are a lot of things to consider rather than just how cool it is to have a guide dog with more priviledges than some people.
Well said. Yeah... if I had a guide dog, I'd tell maybe someone that I trust and someone that I'm Confortable with to take care of my dog. but anyone who wants to take them, I'd be like, um no.