1. Never distract a working guide dog
Doing so could put the handler’s safety at risk. It’s best to ignore the guide dog completely and let the guide dog team navigate on its own, unless they are clearly seeking help.
2. Do not feed a guide dog
A guide dog requires a balanced diet and is well-fed by its handler. Foreign food may disrupt this diet and cause problems for the guide dog team.
3. Avoid physical contact
Do not touch or pet the guide dog while it’s working, as this can cause disruption to the handler or distract the dog from its job.
4. Speak with the handler
If you’d like to help, speak directly with the guide dog handler and ask if they need assistance. Never tell a guide dog what to do or take the harness from a guide dog handler, as that can confuse the dog, which takes instructions from their user.
5. Avoid letting your pet interact with the guide dog
If you see a guide dog walking towards you, keep your pet on a short leash or carry it. This helps to prevent any potentially dangerous incidents between the guide dog and your pet. Do not offer any pet toys to the guide dog without asking for the handler’s permission first.
6. See guide dogs as working dogs, rather than pets
Guide dogs belong in public spaces. Unlike pet dogs, they are allowed on all public transportation, eating establishments, and places, including commercial buildings, hospitals, and schools.
