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Guide Dog Etiquette

I recently read an article in one of my favorite publications, O Magazine about Guide Dogs. It took me back to the time when through my employer’s giving program I made donations to Guide Dogs For The Blind. Donating to them fulfilled two things for me, helping humans and helping dogs. Of all of my God-given senses I treasure my eyesight the most and have always admired people who overcome blindness and go on to live a full life. I am utterly fascinated by Guide Dogs; they embody the noblest spirit found in dogs, single minded devotion.

I used to go to a church where one of the members had a service dog and I always had to restrain myself when I’d see them. Because I love dogs so much I wanted to swoop down and pet him, wrong move! There is an etiquette involved that we need to keep in mind when we’re in the company of Guide and Service dogs and their people that everyone may not be aware of.

The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, N.Y., has compiled the following advice for safely interacting with a guide dog and his or her handler, here they are:

1. Don’t touch, pet or feed a guide dog while she is wearing a working harness. Do allow the dog to concentrate and perform for the safety of her handler.

2. Don’t call the dog by name. Do understand that, for safety reasons, some blind or visually impaired people will not reveal their guide dog’s name to a stranger.

3. Don’t give the dog commands. Do allow the handler to do so.

4. Don’t try to take control in situations unfamiliar to the dog or her handler. Do assist the handler upon his or her request, and always ask before you attempt to help. This is also a good practice in any First Aid situation.

5. Don’t walk on the dog’s left side as she may become distracted or confused. Do walk on the handler’s right side, several paces behind him or her.

6. Don’t attempt to grab or steer the handler while the dog is guiding him or her, and do not attempt to hold the dog’s harness. Do ask if the handler needs your assistance and, if so, offer your left arm.

7. Don’t allow children to tease or abuse the dog. Do allow the dog to rest undisturbed and concentrate on her job.

8. Don’t allow pets or other dogs to challenge or intimidate a guide dog. Do allow them to meet when all animals can be carefully supervised.

9. Don’t pat the dog on the head. (I was right on this one.) Do stroke the dog on the shoulder area – but only with her handler’s approval.

10. When speaking to the guide dog’s handler, do address the person not the dog.

A great deal of time, training and money has gone into this incredible team. An interesting fact is that while it takes around $45,000 to train a dog to qualify as a Guide Dog however the recipient is not charged! (Donations, donations, donations) God bless the puppy raisers, trainers and all the volunteers that make it happen.

All we need to do is follow these 10 simple guidelines and admire this wonderful bond. Donations can be made to GuidingEyes.org or any of the other organizations that provide Guide Dogs.

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Photo by midiman Released under Creative Commons