When a guide dog owner first comes to work with their guide dog, most people are a little uncertain about what they should or shouldn’t do. We answer some frequently asked questions to help you understand what to expect.
Your member of staff who is about to receive a guide dog will be required by law to take a minimum of three weeks away from work to start their training process, which is recognised as a reasonable adjustment. Initial flexibility with the staff member on their return to work will be needed and we would appreciate for you to work alongside us to support the success of the guide dog partnership as they return to their normal working day. We'll be able to support you and the new owner with settling the dog in the workplace, as soon as the new partnership is ready to return to work.
Please be aware that you may be notified at short notice that your staff member is going to require time away from work to start the training of their new partnership. We try to give as much notification as possible of a successful new guide dog match, but in some cases a new match can be made just a few days before training is due to begin.
Caring for the dog is the owner’s responsibility. The owner will make sure clean fresh water is always available in a suitable bowl and where spillages are easy to clean. The dog will be fed at home, but the owner may bring in some of the daily allowance of food to use with toys and to help the dog settle in the workplace. The owner will groom the dog regularly to keep it clean and to try to reduce the number of hairs it leaves and any 'doggy' smell. The dog is taken to the vet for a health check every six months and is routinely wormed and vaccinated.
If you're concerned that the dog is displaying behaviours which you feel are disruptive to the workplace then please have a conversation with the guide dog owner. If you're still worried then please contact us. Please be mindful that dogs will need a settling in period, and the time this takes can vary for each dog to settle.
The important thing to remember is that a guide dog is not an ordinary pet, they have been trained a very specific set of skills. When the dog is in their white guiding harness they're working, so it’s very important that you don’t distract them by touching, feeding or talking directly to the dog.
Always ask the owner if you're allowed to interact or talk to the dog before doing so, as the owners have been given comprehensive training and guidelines by Guide Dogs to follow.
Guide dogs are fed a carefully balanced diet. If given additional treats or food this can cause excessive weight gain and scavenging behaviours and this could have a negative impact on the working life of the guide dog partnership. Food bins and staff food should be kept out of reach from the dog, in a fridge or dedicated staff food area.
When they're not working, the guide dog should rest quietly and undisturbed on a clean, comfy appropriately-sized bed with fresh water available throughout the day. They should be in an area that is draught free and close to their owner's desk or workbench. If the owner’s workspace is unsuitable for a dog, for example because of industrial machinery, Guide dogs staff will work with you to find a suitable environment for the partnership.
For the first few weeks, the owner may need to take the dog out more regularly than usual to relieve themselves throughout the day. Once the dog has settled in and is used to the routine, this is likely to be less frequent. The guide dog owner, together with their employer and a Guide Dogs staff member, will identify the most suitable place on site or nearby for the guide dog owner to take the dog to toilet. Arrangements for disposing waste and cleaning the area will be agreed with the employer before matching the guide dog to the owner.
If you require further support or information then please contact us on our Guide Line and we'll be able to direct you to the appropriate team within Guide Dogs.