I’m a guide dog owner AMA

[AlternativePerspective]

Whenever dog threads come up on mn there are usually posts somewhere in there which mention and ask questions about guide dogs.

So I thought I’d start a thread for anyone who wanted to know anything.

I’ve been a guide dog owner now since 1996, except for a 2 year gap between my last dog retiring and qualifying with my existing dog.

PS: the only thing I can’t provide is pictures because A, my photography skills quite naturally leave something to be desired, and b, he could potentially be identifiable and associated with others who may have been involved with him e.g. puppy walker/boarders/trainers etc who might not want to be outed iyswim.

But other than that,

AMA

A friend trains puppy guide dogs. We have a pet Labrador puppy (5 months old now) and I'm so impressed at guide dogs' calmness. I can't imagine ours being calm, ever! Does yours get the zoomies?

@NatashaBedwouldbenice

Do you think it’s ethical? I used to volunteer as a walker and My Guide but stopped because I saw dogs being treated in ways I didn’t feel comfortable with.

By who?

@NatashaBedwouldbenice

Do you think it’s ethical? I used to volunteer as a walker and My Guide but stopped because I saw dogs being treated in ways I didn’t feel comfortable with.

I'm also interested in this. My limited experience so far working with Guide Dogs is that ALL training is reward based and positive. What did you see that made you uncomfortable and led you to leave volunteering?

It was how a couple of guide dog owners treated their dogs. One saw him as a tool. For example, he'd go to the gym and leave the dog under the reception desk without a bye-or-leave, and the same when he collected him. I would always say, "back in half an hour" or "hello boy, thanks for waiting". I asked him what his thinking was, wondering if it was a training requirement, and he told me that he didn't really like pets and to him his dog was the same as his cane or computer software, a piece of equipment.

Another owner I volunteered with also wasn't keen on her dog. She'd call her "dickhead" or say "you little shit" if she made a mistake. Apparently she still loved and missed her very first guide dog and I think she resented the latest one.

"Don't judge someone until you've walked a day in their shoes" and all that, but it just didn't sit comfortable with me and ultimately wasn't for me.

"By-your-leave"!! Best autocorrect ever though.

Of course abuse happens with guide dogs as it does with pet dogs. We puppy walked when I was growing up, our second pup was withdrawn and given back to us as her owner was abusing her. She was an awesome girl, I can't imagine why anyone would need to give her a stern word never mind a hitting.

@AlternativePerspective does your centre do family/summer fun days, they were always my favourite as a child.

@NatashaBedwouldbenice and @TheCanyon thanks for replying. Your experiences are so sad to read ☹️

I guess it's hard (for me and most people) to know why someone would abuse a guide dog. It's not something that has ever crossed my mind. I'm volunteering for Guide Dogs because I think it's a fabulous charity and because I think dogs are amazing and add so much to our lives, whether we are sighted or visually impaired.

I don't like to reanimate a zombie....but I googled and nothing else came up bar this.

We have been told, by my husbands social worker, to consider applying for a guide dog.

Can you advise how difficult it is to get through the application process?

He is visually impaired, with dense left hemianopia, following major stroke/s in January and another stroke just 2 weeks ago.

this may help

Since the pandemic many organisations have been impacted for demand on assistance dogs. I know a few waiting lists are long.

Oh that's really helpful, thank you very much x

@NoChanceYouMetalBastard has his physical mobility been affected by his stroke?