Guide Dogs

Work and guide dogs

Print off this page for your employer.
When a guide dog owner first brings their guide dog to work, most people are a little uncertain about what they should do.

Here are answers to the questions people often ask:

How should I behave towards the dog?

The important thing to remember is that a guide dog is a working animal, not an ordinary pet. It expects to work with its owner and knows that when it is wearing the harness it is on duty. When it is working it needs to concentrate on the job, so please don’t distract it by touching, feeding or talking to it.

Where will the dog stay during the day?

When not working the guide dog should rest quietly undisturbed. The owner will provide a bed or blanket which should be placed in a draught-free position close to their work area. If the workplace is unsuitable for a dog, because of machinery for example, Guide Dogs may be able to help by providing a kennel and run.

Can I feed the dog?

Definitely not! All guide dogs are fed carefully balanced diets and titbits will affect their health and the way the work. It is also helpful if your own food is kept well out of temptation’s way.

Can I talk to the dog?

Please always ask the owner first! Particularly when the dog is new in the workplace, it is important that it is not given too much fuss which could overexcite or overwhelm it. Please don’t be offended if the owner says ‘No’, especially while the new dog is settling in.

Can I play with the dog?

A guide dog has been trained to lie quietly where it is placed, so it is a great help if you do not encourage it to run around the workplace. It may have some toys to play with but they should not be loud or squeaky and the dog shouldn’t chase them around the work area.

When does the dog go out?

For the first few weeks, the owner may need to take the dog out for five minutes to relieve itself three or four times a day. Once the dog has settled in and is used to the routine, one or two longer breaks will normally be enough.

Where does the dog relieve itself?

The guide dog owner will have discussed with the employer and with the Guide Dogs instructor the most suitable place nearby – on the premises or off-site. The owner will take the dog to relieve itself and arrangements will also have been made for the disposal of waste and cleaning the area; support from the company would be very much appreciated.

Who looks after the dog?

The owner. The dog is regularly taken for health check-ups and is routinely wormed and vaccinated. The owner is trained to groom the dog regularly to keep it clean and try to reduce the number of hairs on the carpet. The dog will be fed at home and it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that water is available for the dog at work as well.

What happens if the dog misbehaves?

Applying discipline is part of a guide dog owner’s responsibility. There is no need for you to put up with disruption caused by a guide dog misbehaving. If problems do occur, please discuss them with the guide dog owner, who will be keen to make sure that their dog isn’t causing a nuisance. If the problem does not resolve itself, contact your nearest Guide Dogs District Team for help and advice. Always say something before matters get out of hand.

Does someone check on the guide dog’s work?

Each guide dog and owner is visited regularly to check all is well. Visits to the workplace may be necessary in the early settling-in days. If difficulties arise, a Guide Dogs instructor will come more often to offer help and support.