HowTo hold the harness on a guide dog

[@TraceyTreySullivan]

I love that Gretchen is a southpaw for you. Fantastic guide team!

[@Dlw031510]

Hi Beverly and Gretchen!! Thank you so so much for the video! That was so awesome to watch and thanks for the tips on the harness, it makes perfect sense. Thank you again and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

[@khanhhm5762]

Congratulations on soon to be come a new guy dog handler. It is a very momentous event. I have been a guide dog handler for 22+ years now, and although I don't see myself embracing the guide dog lifestyle much longer, I have worked with some amazing dogs and learned a lot along the way. Good luck to you. Also, the techniques that Beverly described in this video regarding holding the harness and especially the leash are correct for those who are getting a dog from a school such as The Seeing Eye. But another school may have you hold the leash differently, depending on where you go. The leashes at Seeing Eye are 4 feet long, while other leashes from other schools are longer. While IMA Seeing Eye graduate, I personally do not have the leash looped over my wrist. Instead, I have the leash in between my two fingers and resting on the harness handle. In class, you will find what works for you.

[@paul19644691]

I knew there was something special about you Beverly and Gretchen! I am a South Paw too!! Merry Christmas!😀

[@bamablind9916]

Yes, we are very special! Merry Christmas Paul, to you and Lisa!

[@paul19644691]

@@bamablind9916 You and yours as well Beverly!

[@ChristianSullivan]

Hi Beverley! Your walk with Gretchen was really peaceful! I liked all the sounds I was hearing. I needed this video too, since I was interested on how you hold the leash and harness on the left too. It’ll be a transition for me because I use my cane in my right hand. This was a perfect time this came out, because next month I’ll be heading to Guiding Eyes For The Blind for Guide Dog Training! It’ll also be my first time traveling on my own by plane! I chose to not be fearful of flying, since I have done this with family before. I’m nervous, but also excited!

[@bamablind9916]

OMG Christian, I am so excited for you! Flying Solo is really exciting and there are super helpers all along the way to make sure you get to your destination safely. My life experience lets me know that, even under stressful situations, if those stressors are associated with an upcoming event that is exciting, the stressors really fade away and yield to excitement. Getting your dog next month is so exciting and I am so happy for you! Thanks for sharing and I will be looking forward to your notifications about the process and your training. Congratulations! Love, Beverly and Gretchen

[@ChristianSullivan]

@@bamablind9916 Thank you so much! A lot of content is coming your way!

[@kimberlywest2262]

I am working on my O & M skills. I am seriously considering applying for a Guide dog. I December, I went to California for an Orientation and Mobility Immersion Program. It was so wonderful. I had a Juno walk, and a walk with a guide dog named celeste. I am going to spend the next few months improving my skills. Then I will start the application process.

[@bamablind9916]

Hello Kimberly, it is so exciting to hear about the immersion program you attended in December. It must have been an opportunity of a lifetime. Mobility training is very challenging but so very worth the effort in my opinion. I feel that I am still a novice as a guide dog handler since Gretchen is my first guide dog. I enjoy watching other more experienced handler’s work with their guide dogs and KZbin helps me connect with other competent blind people. Thanks for reaching out and connecting and keep me posted on your thoughts regarding guide dog applications and pursuits. Good luck and stay safe! Love, Beverly

[@KillerartRC123]

With my service dog he's trained to guide on my right side because I have PTSD and he's trying to guide me out of stores and train to guide me where I need to go

[@splashesin8]

There's a song called The Tighten Up, smiley. I was thinking about jingle bells in A Chorus Line, but now I'm doing the "tighten up." Happy Christmas y'all 🎄❣️ I'm about to have some of those fresh warm tortillas a friend brought by earlier. Maybe with honey this time. Did quesadillas earlier. They threw in some of that simmered salsa as well. Sometimes I like to put a little roasted pumpkin seed kernels with the honey in my tortilla. I like the soundscape of your walk. Christmas just is happening fast! 🔔

[@catherinemarsh5453]

Hello. Is that harness made of wood? We recently had an article in the paper about a bind man who was fed up with being patted down coming through the airport because the metal detector would always go off when he and his dog would pass through. He said it made him feel like a criminal and wanted to take legal action. I said on the post that the harness should be made of other materials and no metal. That they should notify the manufacturers of the dilemma that the metal creates. What are your thoughts on this subject? Have you had any experience at airports?

[@Violets-and-Roses]

Handles are made out of either metal or stiffer fabrics or materials. Wood would be far too heavy and rigid, and could injure the dog or damage joints over time. How stiff your handle is/material is up to personal preference and dog preferences (some dogs don’t like the pressure very rigid handles have).