What is your reaction to passing a blind person walking with a guide dog?

Answer 1

You should NEVER acknowledge or talk to a working dog. Peroid. End of story.

I HAVE a service dog (SD) and I can't possibly explain how annoying and distracting it is when people try and talk to my dog. It takes his attention away from what he's doing, and therefore, puts me in danger. You don't want to be bothered while you're working. It's the same with a SD.

People with SDs rely on their dogs to go about their everyday activities. Activites you do with out thinking about and take for granted.

Something as simple as using a public restroom is a challenge for me. I have to wait for the hanidcapped stall so I have enough room for both me and my dog. I have to make sure his leash doesn't hit the floor in the restroom (the amout of fecal bacteria on restroom floors would astound you). Then I have to figure out what to do with the leash while I wash my hands since it's a special leash and I can't slip the handle over my writst. I have to do all this while avoiding small children who want to pet my dog, and deal with unwanted questions about why I have or need a SD. If I'm using a wheelchiar this whole ordeal takes 3 times as long. All you have to do is go into a stall, do your business, wash and go.

Another reason why you should never acknowlege the dog is that the dog is a piece of specialized "medical equipment". You wouldn't dare walk up to someone in a wheelchiar and start pushing them around so why would you walk to to a SD and start talking or petting it?

It is also very rude to ask a person why they have a service dog. People seem to think that since I have one, my medical issues should be public knowledge. I'm asked all the time why I have my dog since I dont "look" disabled. Just what does a disabled person look like anyway? Is there a particular way we're suppose to look? Are we all supposed to look the same? Many disabilites are hidden or invisible, only a portion are visible.

This is from deltasociety.org
Some Rules for Interacting with People with Service Dogs.
Speak to the person first. Do not aim distracting or rude noises at the dog .
Do not touch the service dog without asking for, and receiving, permission.
Do not offer food to the service dog.
Do not ask personal questions about the handler's disability, or otherwise intrude on his or her privacy.
Don't be offended if thehandler does not wish to chat about the service dog.

Some other resources:
http://www.deltasociety.org/ServiceArticlesFaq.htm
http://fergus.fogg.net/servicedogs_ettiquette.htm

And to Delsinelu:
Most service dogs are not "enslaved" or unhappy with what they're doing. It's quite the oppsite. Most SDs are very happy to be helping their human. They may look "duitful" as you put it because they are working. My dog LOVES to work. It was what he was put on this earth to do. He actually gets depressed if we aren't on the go.

You have no reason to pity the dog. SDs are taken very good care of; better than most pets. When they are at home or off duty they get played with, and showered with attention. I take agility lessons with my dog so he has something fun to do that isn't work.

Perhaps if you're being rebuked by SD handlers you should stop approaching their dogs. It is NEVER ok for you to approach the dog and pet it without permission, even if the SD team is resting. It is very expensive to train a dog, up to $20,000 for some, and when you pay attention to the dog without the dog being told it's "OK" to be petted, you are undoing all the training the dog has gone through. It is very important for SDs to have consistancy in thier training or esle the handler risks the dog becoming confused and doing something it's not supposed to at the wrong time.

If you absolutely must say something to the handler of a SD, compliment them on their beautiful dog and leave it at that.

Answer 2

It's curious... perhaps dubious... but I feel a great pity for the dogs. Typically, when you encounter a person with vision who's walking with a dog in public, it's Ok to greet the dog (and the owner)... pet the dog (not the owner)... etc.

It's been my experience, however, that masters of guide dogs do not want (or appreciate) acknowledging the dog. It's happened to me nearly a dozen times... being rebuked by the owner of a guide dog for acknowleging him/her. Which causes me to sympathize/empathize with the dog. I have never seen one (in person) which looked happy. Dutiful, yes. But not happy. Needless to say, I never tried to stop an unsighted person & her/his dog just to say hi to the dog... I understand that they're working while moving. However, each of the encounters I've had (where I was rebuked) was while the dog & his/her master were at rest.

Of course, I have enough life experience to understand that not each owner of a guide dog would behave in such a way. I've simply suffered the occassions I've been met with. Honestly though, while I can greatly appreciate service... I'm against slavery after any fashion... toward whichever end.

Answer 3

No reaction. It is very important not to distract the dog while it's working, so I'm careful about that and just pass them normally.

Answer 4

Just keep walking normally. You would not want to make any sudden or unnecessary moves in case it made the dog react negatively.

Guide dogs are very well trained (however, they are expensive), and people are lucky to have their assistance.

Answer 5

I generally give them a wide berth and act like I don't see them. Not to be mean...but if I start talking with them or walking closely to them they might get distracted and fall down when they're concentrating on walking and looking for the curb, walls, etc. I never do anything with the guide dog...they're not meant to be touched, petted, or spoken to as they're working and helping their owner and don't need to be distracted.

Answer 6

I will say a prayer of blessing for them; then, a prayer of thanksgiving for the guide dog.

Answer 7

I move aside and give them space. The dog needs to do her or his job, and i don't want to get in the way.

Answer 8

I will think: " What a smart dog."
And walk pass them.

Answer 9

Smile or say hi. They can't see, but I hear they can sense a lot about what you are doing in other ways.

Answer 10

I let them pass 1st. Common courtesy.