SAN ANTONIO – It's the time of year when folks are hitting the road on vacation. That means staying at hotels and visiting new restaurants. It is also a great time for Gino, the guide dog of Texas in training being sponsored by GMSA, to get some training in what he might think are some pretty strange places.
Gino has been doing a lot of training outdoors. Now, it’s time to move his training indoors.
"The smells are very different," said Jamie Massey, with Guide Dogs of Texas.
A hotel room is completely different than what Gino is used to.
"The biggest task is bringing the dog into the hotel room and getting them to be able to just relax and understand this is going to be their home for the night, weekend, however long," Massey said.
The fact that Gino may have neighbors above, below or on either side of his room is one of the obstacles. He needs to get used to the normal necessities.
The Sheraton Gunter Hotel in downtown, one of Gino's training facilities and a supporter of Guide Dogs of Texas, has designated the fourth floor as the doggy floor.
Gino gets his own bed, food and water bowls.
There are a couple of the things his handler has to look out for, like "keeping the trashcans up where the pups can't get into it," Massey said.
Gino also got to experience some time in a restaurant, a tricky spot to hang out. He has to sit up under the table to avoid any disasters, since there are patrons and employees coming and going.
"A lot of people, when they are walking through, they are not expecting to look down. They are not expecting a dog in the restaurant, so they will get their tails stepped on or their paws stepped on," Massey said.
Gino also practiced those same techniques while his handler was getting a haircut.
So far, Massey said Gino is doing well with his training.