What to do When you Meet a Guide Dog

Guide dogs are working dogs. They work as a team with their owners indoors and out, and have a great deal of responsibility for safety. It’s important not to distract or pet a guide dog while it’s standing, sitting or lying at its owner’s side. The owner needs the dog to be alert when it’s time to work. If the dog gets used to receiving attention from others when it’s in its harness, it will seek out this attention while guiding its owner.

The website of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind includes an excellent article on “Etiquette and Guide Dogs” that can help you interact effectively with a guide dog and its owner.

For more information, see the article “What to do when you meet a Leader Dog” on the website of Leader Dogs for the Blind.