# Attaching a telescoping cane to a guide dog harness

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 9:19:48

I in some situations, need to use a cane rather than my dog, because it may not be safe to work her, or I just can’t take her to these places. Does anyone know a device or a homemade way that I can attach my telescoping cane to the handle of my dogs harness for easy access? I found the cane holders on handy works, but they are designed to be used with folding canes, 4 or 6 sections, and telescoping canes are much thinner.

## Post 2 by Damia (I'm oppinionated deal with it.) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 13:37:18

just attach an extra small strap? can you just get some leather and sew it to the harness?

## Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 14:07:12

Velcro would work as well.
Get a wire strap from like Home Depot.
You can pull it tight, and it is easy to peel loose.

## Post 4 by Nicky (And I aprove this message.) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 14:54:00

Get two straps of velcrow, the kind that is double sided so you can wrap it
around the cane and the harness. just becareful about making your dog cary so
much. People are always loading stuff up on their dogs and aren't mindful of the
long term back problemsit might cause their dogs.

## Post 5 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 14:54:44

the thing with the harnis, is there is really no give in the leather of the handle, so if I tried sowing into it, my needle would hit steal under the leather. I could try lashing it to the harness, and while that would stop all horizontal movement, it would not stop verticle as the cane is smooth and skinny. even if I tied it tight, that could pose an issue if I put creases in the leather of witch I have to return to the school when I am done with it.

## Post 6 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 15:58:36

I've always wanted a sort of belt holster for mine. I have a zipper bag it came in, but even just a simple belt holster for the collapsible cane like I've got from the NFB would work. Then you could probably tweak that to fit a harness.
I've not found one of these yet though.

## Post 7 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 16:23:28

I actually have a belt holster, but I don't know how it would fit on the harnis

## Post 8 by Damia (I'm oppinionated deal with it.) on Tuesday, 02-Jun-2015 16:52:37

it might not, but what about to the leesh it would put more of the weight on your arm but that might not be a bad thing.

## Post 9 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 03-Jun-2015 0:58:41

Just interested, why does it have to be on the dog? Why can't you carry it on your body someplace, like a pack, bag, or on your belt?

## Post 10 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Wednesday, 03-Jun-2015 8:25:41

attaching an object to the leash like a cane that would dangles could be bad for me, people around me, or the dog if I ever have to give a correction. the sudden snapping motion could send the cane flinging into an unknown direction. I normally wouldn't cary a pack on my back just to keep something as small as a cane in, and I used to keep the cane on my belt, but it would always end up comeing off when I sit or stand.

## Post 11 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 03-Jun-2015 15:19:36

Here is an idea.
Call a sporting goods store.
Ask them if they have a nife or tool pouch about the length or thickness of your cane.
It only need to cover it parshally, and you could put that on your belt, or belt loop.
Now you don't have to problem of it sliding out, or swinging.
They'd have a strap also to attach it to your dogs harness.
You might have to go show them what you mean.

## Post 12 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Wednesday, 03-Jun-2015 22:45:08

That's a good suggestion. Plus, don't you have to return the harness when the dog retires? I don't think the school would be too thrilled to discover needle holes in the leather. Those harnesses are not cheap.

## Post 13 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 04-Jun-2015 15:29:37

No, or has that changed?
Velcro don't leave any lasting marks, is tight, and easy to get jloose.
I thought if it was on his body, it be more manageable though.
A fishing nife sling, or tool sling, would be about right, and would keep his cane secure.
If he's got a problem with it sliding out, put it in the sling top down.
He can get nice leather, so when he's dressed, it looks good too.

## Post 14 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 06-Jun-2015 19:12:15

If you are going to a place wherein you cannot use your dog, or are not taking
your dog, why do you want a cane, which you will have to be using, attached to
the dog, which you are not? Either have the cane or the dog. So if you're going
to a place where you can't use the dog, take the cane, and if you're going
somewhere you want to use the dog, leave the cane at home. I'm kind of
curious what kind of places you're going to that are dangerous to work your dog
though.

## Post 15 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 06-Jun-2015 20:36:51

I wondered about that as well.

## Post 16 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 07-Jun-2015 23:43:38

Very loud places might be non-ideal to work a dog in, but then they'd also be non-ideal to travel in, period.
One point I strongly, strongly disagree on, however:
If you have a dog and you leave home without your cane, you're practically begging for trouble when something goes wrong and the dog can't work. Always, always have a backup plan if you can.
I'll be honest and say that I don't get the need for a telescoping cane holster attached to the dog's harness itself, and I think Wayne's suggestion for some sort of belt-pouch or whatnot would be a good idea. That way you can take your dog wherever you're going most of the time, but you've got the cane if you want to use it. Or if the dog is home, you still have a handy place to store the cane. After all, they're right when they say you're not going to have the guide-dog harness without the dog in it.

## Post 17 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 08-Jun-2015 1:56:43

I never have a cane with me, for the simple reason that, if something
happens to my dog, I'm not just going to keep traveling. Its not like I'm gonna
go, "oops, puppy broke his leg, but I'm late for class, so I guess I'll plop him
right here and go on my merry way". I'm going to stop right where I am, whip
out my cell phone, place about six dozen frantic and panicked phone calls, get a
friend or a cab or something, probably both, to come to wherever I am, get to a
vet as soon as possible, then go home. The need for travel aids has officially
ended when the dog is no longer able to guide.
I hear this argument a lot though, and the question I always ask is, where are
you going to be using the cane to get to? You have a sick or injured dog, do you
plan on carrying him or her around like a furry purse with a tail? Your dog is
injured, where are you going that is so important you need a cane to get there,
and what have you done with your dog?

## Post 18 by Liquid tension experiment (move over school!) on Monday, 08-Jun-2015 8:42:07

well, a couple things. there are some places I go where I would rather heal my dog. When I am walking through the file room at work, and I don't want to leave the dog back in the office because that is normally a pretty lengthy process, I heal her. The iles are too narrow to be walking double wide down with her, and so having a cane would be helpful. Sometimes if I am in a place like a party or something with a lot of people standing around and I can navigate on my own, I get placed in a situation where its really not fare to the dog to try and get me through that masave throng of people if there is no single defined path, and so healing her takes stress off of her when a cane would do me good. also in cases where I would have the cane and not the dog, I don't take her to the gym because it is not safe. having her on her tie down on the pool deck leaves her to be stepped on and splashed with chemical filled water that she can't get away from, and I don't want her tail getting smashed in falling waits or moving cables of the wait machines. God forbid she come to see what I am doing on a machine and her snout gets too close.

## Post 19 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Monday, 08-Jun-2015 15:41:36

Cody, what if the dog is sick and you're on your way home? If you live in something like an apartment building, you might want a cane once you're through the door and out of that cab you called. If your building isn't big or busy, you can probably find the elevator easily enough, but it depends on how competent you are when the dog you normally rely on for travel isn't really up to helping you much.
And no, of course you're not just going to plop a dog with a broken leg down and then go merrily off with the cane. Give me a little credit here, as I don't appreciate my intelligence being impuned in this manner.
I was talking about specific cases where you might not be completely done travelling where your dog might not be up to actually guiding you effectively. In such instances, having the cane handy would be a good thing.
I would imagine that the need for it is small, and I would further imagine that such instances are rare. If a dog has tummy trouble, for instance, he can probably still guide at least a little, depending on how bad it is. I just think it would be a good idea, that's all. There's also the notion that, if you're in a workplace where you're on the move between offices on a halfway-frequent basis, you might not want to harness the dog just to go down the hall; you might just want to whip out the cane and leave the dog in your office for thirty seconds. But that opens up a whole different kettle of fish, I suppose.

## Post 20 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 08-Jun-2015 17:50:12

I agree with Cody here. I never carried a cane when I worked my dog.
Chances are really slim the dog will get sick, and if so,the day was over, period.
In a gym, your dog won't allow it's tail to get near a weight stack, trust me on this.
The dog can see, plus, the stacks are inside the machines cage.
Your dog simply won't lie steal for getting hit, or anything.
I can see how a cane would be useful inside a gym, but I never used one there. I just moved from machine to machine and left the dog in one place.
In that setting a cane would do.
But, it is your comfort we are talking here.
Try the holsters.
If you try, let me know what you think.

## Post 21 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Monday, 08-Jun-2015 18:24:30

Why not just keep the telescoping cane in a backpack with you or something?

## Post 22 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 09-Jun-2015 1:59:03

there are a few other solutions I might suggest, then I'll make one suggest
that might solve your problem. As for the file room, walk behind your dog,
rather than directly beside it. As long as you're not walking for a considerable
distance, which is unlikely, htis system will allow you to both guide and walk.
The gym is no problem either, as wayne said, the dog will keep itself safe, and
its probably, hopefully, well-behaved enough to keep its nose out of your
activities when you've told it to stay. I'm not sure why tying your guide down is
a lengthy process, just hook the leash around your chair or some other fixed
object. I do it practically every day. The pool is also not a problem. First, the
water of a pool isn't going to do anything to your dog. If it does get splashed, it
will simply shake off the water and go on about its dreaming of chasing squirrels
or whatever it is your dog dreams of. As for crowds, your dog should have been
well trained in crowds. Any dog that can't handle them has no business being a
guide dog. Guide dogs are used in time square on a frequent basis; there is
even one school that takes its students to new york city for that exact reason.
Give your dog more credit, she will handle crwods just fine. If not, call your
school and get a trainer out to work with her.
Now then, if you insist on taking your cane for whatever reason, you might
look into a holster that is used for carrying batons. You can get them at just
about any well-stocked self-defense store, and certainly on line. Not all styles
will work, but if you get one long enough for your cane, it should serve you well.
You might also look into flashlight pouches for maglight flashlights. The length
might again be a problem, but you won't have the cane sliding out at odd
moments.
Greg, I wasn't meaning to insult your intelligence, just questioning the logic.
It is true that, if the dog is sick, it might not guide as well, but any blink worth
his or her salt should be able to get to a cab and to their apartment without
trouble. If this is not possible, an extra five tipped to the driver and they will be
more than happy to guide you to your door. The important thing is though that
you stop using the dog and take it directly home. That's my point.

## Post 23 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 09-Jun-2015 2:03:42

Oh, I forgot this one last little point. I hear this idea of harnessing the dog to
be too much trouble for small jobs quite often. I find this notion, no offense
intended, to be rather silly. First of all, any practiced dog user can harness a dog
in seconds. I think the last time I timed myself it took me five seconds. Its a
simple procedure of slipping a strap over a dog's head, a dog who is quite used
to the motion, and then slipping a second strap around its chest. Most dog users
I know, myself included, can do it with one hand. Its not a complicated thing
which takes several minutes to complete. And, if you do find it so tedious, just
don't take the harness off. The dog is used to wearing the thing, it does it for
hours on end during its training. It will perfectly easily lie there, go to sleep and
have its little doggy dreams with the harness still securely attached. When
you're ready to go, simply straighten the harness a bit and go on about your
merry way.

## Post 24 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Tuesday, 09-Jun-2015 15:51:45

I'm not a dog user but I am a volunteer in the emergency services and disaster preparedness community, so I'm very biased towards redundancy.
Next to my deployment backpack is a helmet and a pair of boots.
I have that pack plus my radio equipment bag, which contains not only extra batteries but a pocket generator and several knives.
I could very easily imagine having a cane with you, because if the dog got into trouble out in the open but could still walk, you might wish to lead them into shade and safety before or while executing a backup plan.
I'm a cane user, but no matter who I'm with,l even if they're leading me, I always have a cane folded and stashed somewhere.
We never know what's going to happen. Just this past weekend, I was working as part of the radio communications team for Portland's Grand Floral parade. We're less than a side show at most events, and that is as it should be. But when an elderly gentleman fell face down right in front of me, right on the paraderoute, everything immediately changed for a few minutes. What I had in my equipment bag, more than just radio communications gear, could have been sorely needed at that point. And I'm not even a medic guy, just a dad who has bandaged my fair share of skinned knees and other injuries on the daughter and friends when they were growing up.
I can very easily imagine how a dog user would find themself in a situation where they now have to contend with a situation that might require them to use a cane, and that could easily not indicate abandoning the dog.
Anyway not a dog user, just a plain old neighborhood emergency team community guy weighing in here.

## Post 25 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 09-Jun-2015 19:03:11

These dogs are super reliable. They have to be.
Even a pet dog simply doesn't have many problems at all.
The only time I ever used a cane when I works dogs, was when I didn't have the dog.
If I had my dog, I never, ever used a cane.
I never found any situation that caused me panic, stress, or anything that my dog couldn't handle.
Not only are the dogs suppose to be highly trained, they have self preservation instincts.
If you are trusting a dog to lead you around a city, and not walk you off a cliff, or in front of a car, that dog can, and will handle simple things too.
Don't take this wrong, but a dog is a more reliable guide then a human in many cases, because it is difficult to make it panic.
If you wouldn't take a cane when your wife was leading you, you don't need it for a dog either. Smile.

## Post 26 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 09-Jun-2015 19:16:44

I'd like to add this.
Blind travelers don't carry two canes.
You never worry about what if your cane gets bent, or run over by a car that got to close, and other things that can happen to your cane.
If these things happen, you must deal with them, but you don't pull out your second cane, right?
But, this topic is about the poster comfort, so.

## Post 27 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Tuesday, 09-Jun-2015 19:54:28

Yes, I do.

## Post 28 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 10-Jun-2015 6:43:02

Actually, Wayne, many (though by no means all) cane travelers have a backup cane. Some bring it with them, some don't. I'm lax in this. But the same logic can and does hold. You really aren't likely to bust a cane or be in a situation where your dog can't work and you need to get somewhere, but the outside chance is there.

## Post 29 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 10-Jun-2015 11:01:53

No Greg, that's my point, you will never be in a situation where you are working
your dog, the dog is suddenly unable to work, and you still need to get
somewhere. If you are out and about and something happens to disable your
dog, you have one of two options, get to the vet, or get to your home. There is
no third option of, continue on your way while using a cane. You don't get to do
that. You get to the vet, or you get home. The idea of trying to work with a
disabled dog, or even go somewhere with a disabled dog is also out of the
question. If your dog is sick or injured, stop immediately, or as soon as it is safe
to stop, and get a ride from either a cab or a friend. Hell, call the police if you
need to. But the last thing you should do is continue travelling, with a cane or
with a dog.
Because think about it Greg, if your dog is sick, and you continue while using
a cane, you either are leaving your dog somewhere in public, or you are forcing
a sick dog to continue walking. Both of those things are bad and you should not
do them. If the dog slices its paw open, you stop travelling. If it breaks its leg,
you stop travelling. The basic idea is, if your dog is unable to work while you're
on a route, stop travelling by cane or dog. So no, the possibility you outline
does not exist.

## Post 30 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 10-Jun-2015 11:23:02

Wayne, I have a cane collapsed inn a pocket when I go out with my Wife. If I need to go do something, I am not tied to Her. If She needs help and I must do something about it, I cannot be tied to Her but must be able to respond.
Cody, you mentioned a few scenarios, and for those I can see not walking the dog.
What if it's too tired to work but can still walk? You could "heel it," as my sister-in-law calls it -- she has a working dog though not a service dog. Take it by its leash and lead it at your left side. I don't know if guide dog schools use that word or not.
Anyway, I don't have a personal stake in the argument, except for sake of redundancy in the event that something unusual and unavoidable were to arise.

## Post 31 by CrazyMusician (If I don't post to your topic, it's cuz I don't give a rip about it!) on Wednesday, 10-Jun-2015 11:37:04

I do carry a cane in my backpack with me, but have never had to use it. I know some guide dog handlers who keep canes with them to train on new routes they wish to pattern. It isn't overly uncommon, unreasonable or foolish to do so.
As for the gym, I used to work out at one particular location, and my dog would lie beside me while I was on the bike or treadmill. If I was using a squat rack or hand weights, generally moving around, I would either find a quiet corner for her or have her travel with me. She became VERy adept at moving through all the moving people, equipment everywhere, etc.

## Post 32 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 10-Jun-2015 13:30:35

I don't say it is unreasonable, I just never carried a cane period when I had my dogs and I never had a problem ever.
If anything, something happened to me, not the dog in rout.
I didn't need it to learn a new place, I actually loved going to new places when I had the dog over having to learn them with a cane.
I've thought about training again, but haven't yet.
These dogs don't get tired. Smile.
Most are big dogs, and you'll be the tired one first, not the dog at all.
I keep a packup cane at home, but I don't carry that with me either.
If anything at all happens to the dog while I'm traveling, I'm with Cody, there is no other options.
We are gone to the vet, or home, or the closest place for shelter, but not to the appointment or whatever.
I do understand carrying a cane Leo, what I meant is you don't do this because what might happen, or maybe you do.
I also carry a cane when I'm out with a sighted person, but only for the use of going to the bathroom, or whatever, not because they might break down.
Same thing applies. If they get sick, I'll be right there period.
Some people I don't trust that much, so, but the people I do, the cane is not a emergency device.
Maybe I'm just silly, but carrying a cane, although, not unreasonable, seems not necessary at all.

## Post 33 by rdfreak (THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE-BLUE KANGA-KICKIN AUSIE) on Wednesday, 10-Jun-2015 23:23:24

Hi Cody, In class, it was suggested to us that we may take a cane for A. Emergency purposes though I agree with you; if my dog gets sick or worse, it's not like I'm going to continue my day as it were, though in saying that, one may still need a cane to walk themselves home etc.
but B. In case one wants to check out gaps between say the train and platform or any other things the dog can't tell us about.
I personally don't do this myself; I figure I got a dog so I wouldn't need to bring a cane but it's prob not a bad idea to have one with us all the same.

## Post 34 by Scarlett (move over school!) on Thursday, 11-Jun-2015 12:10:43

I don't think carrying a cane does you any harm. Having said that I usually forget...but then I'm the kind of person who walks out the house without most of the stuff I need for the day.
My biggest concern here is making your dog carry anything. It's a guide dog, not a pack horse. I'm not trying to be rude but it does bother me a little when I see blind people with doggy backpacks and all kinds of things that their dog can wear to carry stuff. I haven't noticed this in the UK but know of it with some Australian and US guide dog owners.
Please, if you can, investigate all the ways you could carry your cane instead. A lot of people have made good suggestions here.
I also like to work my dog in really crowded environments, I think it's good to challenge her, but that's my personal opinion. And cody's suggestion of walking behind the dog does work for short distances.

## Post 35 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 11-Jun-2015 12:45:27

I'm curious. It is silly and ideology-bound to claim that carrying something for emergency purposes means you're going to carry on with your day as usual.
What but a millennial hipster glued to ideology could say that. You carry something for an emergency because your day is going to be sorely interrupted, you and the lives you're responsible for are going to be altered, and so you want to be prepared.
I have been on a lot of preparedness places, and I've seen a ton if excuses for not preparing, but this claim takes the cake for the most patently silly.

## Post 36 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 11-Jun-2015 13:20:08

I would agree with being prepared.
I also don't see anything wrong with caring a cane, I just never found is worth doing.
Any kind of stick will do if I really have to get home. Smile.
I was a late adaptor to having a cellphone even, but I moved out of the city, so didn't have access to telephone booths, so got one.
Then they started removing the telephone booths, so now I feel it is an assentual thing for a blind person to have.
Now, saying that, this is provided you have coverage where you happen to be stranded. Smile.
I personally have actually used my cellphone to get some help a couple times late at night. An extra cane, neverwhen OI had a dog.
I didn't think about the pack aspect, and agree.
Unless it is a working dog for that reason, adding a pack to a dog doesn't seem fair to me either.
Of course, a cane is really light, but if you are having it when you don't want to work your dog, maybe you should carry it too?
If I were the dog, I'd be offended. Smile.

## Post 37 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 11-Jun-2015 14:27:33

I'm a cane user, and I absolutely do carry a backup cane. Occasionally some college kid will trip over and break the one I'm using.

## Post 38 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Thursday, 11-Jun-2015 15:00:10

The worst is getting it caught in the spokes of a bike.

## Post 39 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 11-Jun-2015 16:48:12

I have used a tree branch to get home after a bicyclist ran over mine, I was in college then.

## Post 40 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 12-Jun-2015 6:55:50

Cody, this is what I mean by insulting my intelligence.
I clearly stated that if the dog couldn't work, you wouldn't necessarily be going on with your day. I recognize that a sick or injured or otherwise non-working dog basically means any actual travel plans are done. As I also stated, having a cane would mean only that if you had to get anywhere at all on your own with a non-working dog, you could do it with a little more safety.
The same would go with having a backup cane on you if your main cane was broken or somehow lost. You aren't going to be making new travel plans if your mobility aid is unavailable, but you still may need to get home/get through a crowded dorm, etc. You may be able to get help, you may not; in the dorm you probably could if push came to shove, but yeah.
You aren't bringing the emergency tool so you can go on with your day as if your main tool has no problems. You're bringing it to keep you safe during that brief time where you're getting to a vet or back to your home or some such.

## Post 41 by Meglet (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 12-Jun-2015 14:59:54

I have never, ever, ever had my cane lost or broken. Not once. I still carry a spare, because you know what? I have a backpack or large handbag with me anyway most of the time, so it's not unreasonable to stash a cane in there.

## Post 42 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Friday, 12-Jun-2015 15:27:19

Me too. Along with an umbrella.

## Post 43 by forereel (Just posting.) on Friday, 12-Jun-2015 15:38:33

Plenty trees. Pocket nife.
Smile.
JK.

## Post 44 by Scarlett (move over school!) on Friday, 12-Jun-2015 18:16:34

Yep, I agree with the reasoning for carrying a cane, I just often forget. My main disagreement is the assumption that your dog should carry it for you. That's not the dogs job.

## Post 45 by Meglet (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 14-Jun-2015 14:36:41

Agreed. Your dog is not your personal beast of burden.

## Post 46 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Monday, 15-Jun-2015 14:17:51

Instead of the word "dog," substitute "dad," and now you have a refrain every teenage girl needs to learn. Lol

## Post 47 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 15-Jun-2015 19:44:16

You wanna bet?
Dad's are personal pack mules for everything.
Didn't you read the contract when you received your baby? Smile.

## Post 48 by Scarlett (move over school!) on Thursday, 18-Jun-2015 11:53:14

ahaha Leo, I'm still guilty of that now. No pocket? Oh it's ok dad can hold my phone.