Fwd: [SundayEditionNews] Ask Emily and Garth: convention season edition

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Subject: [SundayEditionNews] Ask Emily and Garth: convention season edition
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ASK EMILY AND GARTH. CONVENTION SEASON EDITION.

By Barbara Hinske and Anthony Corona

Convention season is upon us.

For many of us, that means travel, long days, meetings, exhibits, social events, late nights, early mornings, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

For our guide dogs, convention season often means a significant change in routine. They are navigating unfamiliar hotels, crowded hallways, busy meeting rooms, packed elevators, food courts, shuttle buses, and sometimes extreme summer temperatures. While many guide dogs thrive on the excitement and challenge, it is important to remember that these events can be physically and mentally demanding.

This is a great time to remember the importance of extra praise, extra encouragement, and plenty of jackpot rewards when our dogs successfully navigate situations that may be unusual or outside their normal daily routine. A little celebration can go a long way toward helping our dogs understand they are doing exactly what we need them to do.

Hydration should also be high on every handler’s priority list. July conventions often take place in some of the hottest parts of the country, and heat can affect our dogs much faster than we realize. Carrying a water bottle and collapsible bowl is always a good idea. Some handlers also find it helpful to carry a damp hand towel that can be used for cooling if needed.

Most importantly, pay attention to your dog’s energy level. Are they still moving with enthusiasm and confidence. Are they seeking opportunities to rest. Are they becoming distracted, slower, or less engaged than usual. Our dogs often tell us exactly what they need if we are willing to pay attention.

This month’s questions focus on helping our dogs enjoy convention season as much as we do.

Question One.

Kelly from Indianapolis asks:

I have not been to a national convention in quite a few years and have never attended with my current guide dog, Trixie. She is a little over six years old and an incredible worker, but I am concerned about being around all those other teams because Trixie is very social at heart and loves all people, all dogs, and all living beings.

How do I be respectful of the convention and at the same time find opportunities for Trixie to socialize.

Emily answers:

Hi Kelly.

First, let me assure you that Trixie is not alone. Many guide dogs are naturally social creatures. They enjoy people. They enjoy seeing other dogs. They enjoy being part of the action.

The key is helping your dog understand when it is time to work and when it is time to simply be a dog.

One of my favorite convention strategies is to intentionally build social time into the schedule. If you know there will be downtime between meetings or programs, consider finding a quiet outdoor space where Trixie can relax, sniff, decompress, and simply enjoy herself. Sometimes just sitting together and watching the world go by can be exactly what a social dog needs.

If your convention includes opportunities to spend time with trusted friends and their dogs outside of working situations, those moments can also be valuable. The important thing is making sure the dog understands there is a clear difference between working time and play time.

Most guide dogs are remarkably good at understanding those distinctions when we are consistent. Give Trixie opportunities to enjoy herself, but make those opportunities intentional rather than allowing her to seek social interaction while she is actively working.

Think of it as helping her enjoy the convention while still maintaining the professional standards she already knows so well.

Garth answers:

Kelly, speaking as a guide dog, I can tell you that conventions are a little bit like Disneyland.

There are people everywhere.

There are dogs everywhere.

There are food smells everywhere.

Frankly, it is amazing that any of us get any work done.

I love meeting people. I enjoy seeing my guide dog friends. But one thing my human and I have learned over the years is that life is easier when I know the difference between working time and social time.

When the harness goes on, I know we have a job to do.

When the harness comes off, I know I can relax, accept some ear scratches, and enjoy being a dog.

The important thing is consistency.

If Trixie learns that every dog she passes is a potential playmate, she is going to spend a lot of energy wondering why she cannot go say hello.

If she learns that social time happens at specific times and places, she will probably settle into the routine pretty quickly.

Trust me. We guide dogs are creatures of habit too.

And if someone accidentally drops a Cheeto during one of those social gatherings, well, I cannot officially recommend that course of action, but I can certainly understand the appeal.

Question Two.

David from Massachusetts asks:

I am very excited to go to my first ever convention and I am wondering what strategies you use to maximize all those meetings and getting from place to place while keeping your dog entertained enough. How do you know if your dog is tired and needs a break.

Emily answers:

David, congratulations on your first convention.

One thing I have learned over the years is that guide dogs do not necessarily tell us they are tired in dramatic ways. More often, they communicate through subtle changes.

Maybe they are moving a little slower.

Maybe their responses are not quite as sharp.

Maybe they seem less enthusiastic about getting up after a break.

Maybe they begin seeking out every cool patch of floor they can find.

Pay attention to those little clues.

I also encourage handlers to build recovery time into the schedule. We often plan every minute of our convention experience and forget that our dogs need downtime just as much as we do.

A short walk. A quiet break in the hotel room. A chance to stretch out and nap. Those moments can make a tremendous difference by the end of a long day.

Do not forget that your cane remains one of the most valuable tools in your travel toolbox. If your dog is comfortable being left in the hotel room for a period of time and has been trained for that situation, you may decide to attend a meeting, workshop, or exhibit hall event without your dog. Giving your partner an hour or two to rest, recharge, and simply be off duty can sometimes make all the difference later in the day.

Likewise, if you have been going nonstop from breakfast through the afternoon and are planning to attend dinner or an evening social event, consider whether your dog truly needs to accompany you. After dinner, a generous potty break, some water, and a little affection, your dog’s favorite evening activity may very well be a long nap in a cool hotel room while you enjoy a networking event.

Rest is productive too.

Garth answers:

David, I am going to let you in on a little guide dog secret.

Sometimes we are tired before our humans realize we are tired.

We keep working because that is what we do.

We love our jobs.

We love our people.

But conventions ask us to do a lot.

We are navigating strange buildings, learning unfamiliar routes, avoiding distractions, locating elevators, finding seats, avoiding rolling suitcases, and somehow pretending not to notice the pizza buffet three feet away.

That takes work.

A lot of work.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your dog during convention week is permission to rest.

If your dog is comfortable staying in the hotel room for a while, and your school and training support that choice, there is absolutely nothing wrong with attending a meeting with your cane and giving your dog a chance to recharge.

Trust me. Most of us are perfectly happy to spend an hour or two enjoying one of our favorite hobbies.

Sleeping.

If you have been going nonstop all day and are headed to dinner or a social event later, ask yourself whether your dog really needs to come along.

Sometimes the answer is yes.

 Sometimes the answer is a nice potty break, a drink of water, a few treats, a belly rub, and a quiet hotel room.

And speaking strictly as a dog, that sounds like a pretty good evening.

Also, bring extra treats.

No guide dog in the history of guide dogs has ever complained about receiving too many treats.

Question Three.

Lesa from San Jose, California asks:

I am taking my six and a half year old guide dog, Lucas, to the American Council of the Blind convention in St. Louis and I have a strong concern about the potty break areas. Lucas is finicky on the best of days and all but refuses to use airport relief areas or any spaces where other dogs have done their business. I want to be respectful of the convention center and hotel properties, but I cannot seem to get Lucas over his disgust of public potty spaces. Please help me.

Emily answers:

Hi Lesa.

First, let me say that Lucas is far from the only dog who feels this way. Some dogs are simply more particular than others when it comes to where they relieve themselves. In fact, many guide dogs who are otherwise confident and adaptable workers can become surprisingly opinionated when it comes to potty areas.

My first recommendation is preparation before you travel. If possible, begin exposing Lucas to a variety of approved relief locations before convention season arrives. Different surfaces, different smells, different environments, and different levels of dog traffic can help build flexibility over time.

Once you arrive at convention, try to identify several possible relief locations rather than relying on a single designated area. Sometimes a dog that refuses one location will happily use another a short distance away.

Most importantly, allow extra time. A dog who feels rushed may become even more resistant. Give Lucas opportunities to explore the space safely, settle in, and make his own decision.

And remember, praise matters. When he does choose to use an unfamiliar relief area, celebrate it. Let him know he made an excellent choice.

Garth answers:

Lesa, first of all, I would like to formally acknowledge Lucas for carrying the banner for picky guide dogs everywhere.

Some of us have standards.

Now, from a dog’s perspective, potty areas can be complicated.

Imagine being asked to use a restroom that already smells like fifty other people have been there.

Not everyone is going to feel enthusiastic about that arrangement.

The best thing you can do is stay patient.

The more pressure we feel, the less likely we are to cooperate.

Give Lucas time to investigate.

Give him time to sniff.

Give him opportunities throughout the day rather than waiting until the situation becomes urgent.

And if you discover a relief area he actually likes, remember it. Treasure it. Return to it often.

That spot has become convention real estate with tremendous value.

Most of us eventually figure out that nature is going to win the argument.

But a little patience from our humans makes the process much easier.

Also, if Lucas happens to receive a few extra treats after successfully using a new relief area, I can assure you that guide dogs everywhere would strongly support that strategy.

Final Thoughts.

Traveling and conventions are a tremendous amount of fun, but they also require preparation, flexibility, and thoughtful planning.

One thing that can sometimes get lost in the excitement is remembering that our dogs are creatures of routine and habit. Large conventions introduce unfamiliar environments, changing schedules, long workdays, and a tremendous amount of stimulation.

Just as importantly, convention environments often ask our dogs to perform tasks and navigate situations they may rarely encounter at home. That can be exciting, enriching, and rewarding, but it can also be tiring.

Pay attention to the cues your dog is giving you.

Use a little common sense.

Keep your dog’s interests and well being at the center of your planning.

Offer plenty of praise, encouragement, hydration, rest, extra treats, and opportunities to simply be a dog.

Bring the water bottle.

Pack the collapsible bowl.

Consider a cooling towel.

Build in downtime.

Build in extra potty breaks.

And do not forget that sometimes the most productive thing you and your dog can do is take fifteen minutes to sit quietly together and recharge.

Remember that our dogs cannot tell us they are thirsty, tired, overwhelmed, distracted, or in need of a potty break the same way our human travel companions can. They rely on us to notice the signs, anticipate their needs, and make good decisions on their behalf.

If we do that, our partners are far more likely to remain happy, engaged, entertained, and confident while continuing to provide the quality work we have come to appreciate and depend upon every day.

From one guide dog to all the humans reading this, thank you.

Thank you for paying attention when we are tired.

Thank you for noticing when we are thirsty.

Thank you for remembering that convention schedules can be just as demanding for us as they are for you.

We may not have words, but we are constantly communicating.

A slower pace.

A longer nap.

A search for a cool floor.

A little less enthusiasm than usual.

Those are often our ways of telling you what we need.

Listen to us.

Trust what you know about us.

And remember that while conventions may be exciting, our favorite part is usually pretty simple.

Being with our people.

Well, being with our people and occasionally discovering an unauthorized Cheeto.

Mostly our people.

Until next time, safe travels, happy conventions, and give those hardworking pups an extra belly rub from all of us.

Barbara Hinske and Anthony Corona

Ask Emily and Garth

Post Script.

Welcome to Ask Emily and Garth, our ongoing collaboration between Barbara Hinske, author of the beloved Guiding Emily series, and Anthony Corona, founder of the Sunday Edition Family of Podcasts and Digital Media Content Services.

Each installment, we answer questions from guide dog handlers, guide dog enthusiasts, and members of the blindness community. Along the way, we share practical advice, a little humor, and occasionally a few thoughts from Garth himself. While we normally tackle two reader questions per edition, convention season inspired us to squeeze in a bonus third question this month.

Over the past year, we have explored everything from retirement and successor dogs, public access challenges, travel, grooming, guide dog etiquette, distractions, puppy raising, emotional bonds between handlers and their dogs, and the many unexpected adventures that come with living and working alongside these remarkable partners.

Have a question for Emily and Garth. We would love to hear from you.

Send your questions to:

sunday...@anthonycorona.com

For past Ask Emily and Garth installments, information about the Sunday Edition Family of Podcasts and Digital Media Content Services, and access to our growing library of content, please visit:

www.anthonycorona.com

We also encourage you to support Barbara Hinske’s wonderful Guiding Emily book series. If you have enjoyed the books, please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, or wherever you purchase and review books. Reviews help readers discover the series and help authors continue creating the stories we love.

And if you enjoy the Sunday Edition Family of Podcasts, please like, share, comment, subscribe, and tell a friend. Every share helps us continue amplifying voices, building community, and reminding people that every story deserves to be heard.

Until next time, keep asking questions, keep learning, and give your guide dog an extra treat from Emily, Garth, Barbara, and Anthony.

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