How do you treat a Guide Dog?

Question

I have a family friend who blind and has a guide dog. I am at his house quite often and have absolutely fallen in love with the dog. I play with him in the yard etc. The other day I brought the dog a little chew toy and I think my friend was a bit annoyed with this.

I have a full understanding of how to treat and act around guide dogs when they are in work mode - ie. when they have their harness on - but what is appropriate when they are not in work mode? Am I allowed to give him toys and treats and play with him as I would any other dog?

I have referred to many 'official' guide dog websites and they are only helpful with information on how to act around a dog that is in work mode, not at home.

Answer 1

I am partnered with a service dog. I do not allow people to give my dogs food treats at all. She does need to follow a strict diet, and I also need to ensure that she is eating at a regular time to allow her to toilet on command. Yes, she can and will hold it for as long as needed, but she should not be forced to do that, and so by feeding her at a regular time, I am also able to ensure that she has a regular reliving schedule, which fits both my and my dogs needs.

As for toys I do not care if other people give her toys to play with. I know that guide dog programs are very big on the dogs not having access to balls, as they do not want to take the risk that they may be distracted by balls when working. I do take care in what toys I give her, but as long as the toy is given when I am there to supervise, which I guess would be different for a blind person, then if it is inappropriate then I can always take it away.

While I do not allow people to pet my dog when working, I do not care about the attention she gets from family and friends at home. She is a dog and like any living being she needs to have some free time to relax and unwind and to be allowed to spend time with other people and dogs. Such things will not in any way damage her bond with me. She loves me as I am the person who gives her all the best things in life. Even my closest frineds cannot come close to her as they do not live with her 24/7 as I do, and while they do play and pet her, and she loves this, she still has her focus purely on me.

Early in our relationship I was concerned about her getting too much attention from other people, but over time I have realised that it does not matter what attention other poeple give her, her eyes are only for me!! I also feel it is important for her to be able to have relationships with other people as should something happen to me she needs to be able to cope without me, and to be able to rely on other people.

I commend you on taking on the action you can to look into what is right in this situation. I do however feel that the best course of action would be to talk to the friend concerned, and ask them what they feel and think and want, and why they think that way. It does take at least a year for any team to begin working as a real partnership and so if it is early on in their relationship then this could also be what some of the stress is about. Perhaps you could also try giving any toy you do buy for the dog to the friend for him to give to the dog. You could also contact the program which the dog came from and ask them for advice, as they would have given guidelines to the friend when he was training with the dog on what to allow and not allow, what family and friends should do, etc.

These dogs are very easy to fall in love with. The puppy raisers have done such a wonderful job of raising them and socialising them, that they know how to behave around people really well, and are very gentle souls. As someone innocently commented to me the other day, if they don't want people petting the dogs when working, they shouldn't make them so gorgous!!

Answer 2

I am partnered with an Assistance Dog and I have friends who have fallen in love with my dog too.

There have been times when my dog has been off duty, and my friends have given my dog something, whether it was food or something to play with, and although it was done out of good intentions, it has bothered me.

My Assistance Dog has to follow a strict diet to stay in top shape, so I don't let him just eat 'anything'. As well as this, if other people start giving my dog treats, it will take his attention and attachment away from me, and even if it's just for a little while, it could negatively impact the bond we have. If treats only come from me, then he won't be looking to other people for treats while he is on or off duty, and that's the way it should be.

With toys, some dog toys that are on the market, are still not necessarily 'safe' for dogs in my opinion. You have to realise that these dogs are so valuable to disabled people, and that no unnecessary risks should be taken by giving the dog access to a toy that hasn't been approved by the owner.

It sounds like your intentions were all good, so try not to feel bad about it. But just understand that these dogs are not ordinary dogs, even when off duty, and anything you want to give the dog should be run by the owner first. Let the owner give whatever it is you have brought, to the dog. Don't give it to the dog yourself.  

Answer 3

It is absolutely ok to give a guide dog a chew toy. someone in my family is blind and has a guide dog and we always give her toys and play with her. she has an entire bin of toys. she still works beautifully and we love her to death. sometimes you do need to ask though. its good to know anyway

Answer 4

Ask the owner of the dog prior to doing anything. Better to be safe then sorry especially when it comes to a working breed.  

Answer 5

You should have asked before doing what you did. Just because you have fallen in with the dog does not make it yours nor does it give you permission to just bring or give the dog anything without talking to your friend first.

It's called common sense and courtesy. Secondly even if your friend wasn't blind its still good manners before doing anything involving another's property.

Answer 6

Just because the dog is not working doesn't mean he's fair game.  The owner may not want toys under foot or have had a problem with particular toys in the past.  Just like any other dog you should have asked if it was okay first.

Answer 7

Because this dog is SO Important to his owner you should always ASK first before petting, talking or giving a toy or treat to this particular dog.  It is not appropriate to do anything unless given permission from the owner. This is because this dog has had so much training and the "just" giving him a toy is a distraction and the dog needs no distractions from anyone. Just as you would act if a friend has a child.  You ask the adult if the child can have ? whatever and not show it to the child or let him hear you with the ? whatever.

This dog means everything to his owner.  Please ask him what to do and what you may or may not do when visiting.

Answer 8

yes you are allowed to as long as the owner gives you permission. ask them what all you can and can not do with the dog as everyone has different rules for their dogs.

Answer 9

It all depends on the individual team.  If you want to know what is permitted, ask the dog's owner.  That's true with all dogs, be they guide dogs or otherwise.

Sure my dogs get treats, and they play with toys, but because they are working dogs there are rules.  They never get treats for free, they must earn them.  If you hand one of my dogs a treat without my permission, I will tell him to drop it and make it a training exercise.  If he doesn't drop it, he will be punished (for his safety).  There are dangerous people out there who feed poisoned treats to working dogs in the belief they are better off dead than in slavery.  My dog is trained not to accept treats from anyone but me without my expressed permission to him by command.  If he breaks that rule, he can die, which is why it is a punishable offense.  (No, I don't beat my dogs, but I will tell them "no" sternly and make them give it up by force if necessary.)  If you ask permission and I agree, I will command the dog to perform some small task to earn the treat, then give him a release command telling him he is permitted to accept the treat.  In addition to being a safety issue, his work ethic is critical to his ability to perform his job.

I also limit how much fun stuff my dogs do with other people.  I have observed in the past that when my sister visits and plays ball with my service dog too much, he becomes more easily distracted by her when he should be paying attention to me.  If I am his primary playmate, his focus remains on me not just when playing, but when working as well.

Some guide schools will give their clients restrictions on what kinds of food/treats and toys a dog may receive.  Some don't want to encourage prey drive.  Some prescribe very specific diets.  And even if the program doesn't, the individual owner might.

Left to our own devices, my dogs and I are quite content with our routine.  We play and cuddle and do everything else a person does with a pet dog.  We just live by a set of rules more strict than most pet owner's.  I was taught I could spoil them rotten so long as when they encountered a rule it was enforced consistently.  This advice has served me very well for many years.

Answer 10

I'm not real positive on that situation either but here's the thought I came up with.

Guide dogs are supposed to be just that in public and to understand who comes into the house is an okay person.  If you give treats to the dog then this could happen when they are out (you not around) and this person could be hurt because the dog is busy with a treat.

If you have treats for the dog, let the owner give and better yet, talk to the owner about this.

He's upset about this but he also appreciates the fact that you're there.

Answer 11

This is a question that you should pose to your blind friend.   Maybe he has a routine for the dog or toys he feels are appropriate and the one you brought was not one of those.  Just ask your friend.  

Answer 12

I think you should ask your friend what is appropriate. It is his dog and not just any ordinary dog.  

Answer 13

yea for sure! My dad is blind but I guess its ok. I have lived with guide dogs all my life my dad had 2 in his whole life. Kinley chews like a monster lol.

EDIT- Why did you give me a thumbs down jesus christ!

ADD- Oh and Im with my dad and Kinley alot! Kinley is a great leader dog but some people just come up and pet him. You always have to ask before you pet a leader dog. And your friend may be annoyed because the dog will be paying attention to the toy and not on leading if he is thinking of it.