Questions I Get Asked About My Guide Dog
Guide dogs play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life by providing physical and emotional support for individuals with vision impairment. people who are blind or visually impaired prefer to navigate life with a guide dog. Many people may not be familiar with the specific roles these dogs play, leading to a range of questions. We talked to Samantha, a program graduate at Guide Dog Foundation, about her experiences being asked about her guide dog, and she was kind enough to share. We hope you enjoy reading and perhaps even learn something new about what it's like to have a guide dog.
What's your dog's name?
I usually tell people his real name, so long as I feel safe, but many handlers offer a nickname they use when interacting with the public as to prevent others from distracting their dog by using their real name.
Is that a service dog?
I typically answer by saying "yes, he's a guide dog".
Is he going to bite me?
My answer here depends on my mood ;) but usually I reassure people that he's super friendly and will not be aggressive.
How does he help you?
He acts as my eyes: he helps me get from point A to point B safely, targets specific places, such as stairs, doors, elevators, and empty seats, and prevents me from any obstacles in my path.
Is your dog blind? (yep, never understood that one but have gotten it multiple times)
Nope, just me!
Does your dog read the traffic signals? (referring to how he helps me cross the road)
Possibly, but that's not how he helps me cross the street. I use my ears to help me figure out when it's safe to walk, and he will only stop me if he senses it is unsafe (i.e., a car is headed towards us).
How does he know where you need to go?
Most of the time, it's my job to know where I am going, and Leo helps me get there safely. If I ask him to find a general target, such as stairs, doors outside, etc., he will typically take me there.
Does he live with you at home?
Yes! He even sleeps in bed with me sometimes.
Is his harness always on?
Not at all: his harness comes off as soon as he is done working. He does not wear it in the car or at home.
How long do guide dogs work? What happens when they retire?
All dogs are unique, but most guide dogs work for 6-8 years, which means they retire between 8-10 years old. Handlers typically decide where their dogs live during retirement. Personally, I plan to keep any of my retired pups. My first dog lived with me for 4 years after retirement, and Leo will live with me as well. He's a part of the family and we could not imagine life without him.
How do you clean up his poop?
Surprisingly, I get this question a lot! Guide dogs are trained to go potty on concrete so that their handlers can more easily feel for and clean up their poop. Often, I have enough usable sight to locate it visually but can also trace his back down with my hand while he's squatting.
When thinking about guide dogs and their owners, it is important to remember most people who are legally blind do have some form of vision. If they were completely in the dark, a guide dog would not be a safe option, as the dog is a helper, not the sole "eyes" of the handler. We encourage you to read our blog post about what people with vision loss may see.
Once our certified guide dog mobility instructors have a clear understanding of a client’s mobility goals (several months prior to class), they carefully match and work with a dog to meet that person’s specific needs in locations relevant to their home and/or work environments. When the dogs are ready, and the applicant has been accepted into the program, they will be invited to attend our comprehensive two-week training program held at our campus in Smithtown, New York. Home training is available if it is determined that a client's needs are best met by this type of training. Such a decision is made on a case-by-case basis. At Guide Dog Foundation, we provide these services at no cost to the recipient. Learn more about our program, training process, and even how you can volunteer to help. Start here!