Category: Animal House
Hi all,
A few weeks ago, I went for my annual eye check-up. My doctor suggested that I get a guide dog. While I do see the advantages of getting a guide dogs, I would like to know more about the experience of using one.
As seen by the title of this board post, I would like to know the issues and disadvantages of getting a guide dog. It's easy to learn the advantages of using a guide dog. However, it is slightly more difficult to find the disadvantages of using one as fewer people talk about it. So, could any guide dog users please post about the problems they face and whether it is worth it to get a guide dog. Feel free to share any advantages that you guys think people don't usually think of or talk about.
Some things I am unsure about:
- How do you get around in crowded areas with a guide dog?
Examples are getting on and off crowded public transportation such as buses and trains.
- Should I get a guide dog now?
I am going in to university later this year and I am free from now till then (probably August). Is it a good idea or should I wait? I think this is a good time as I will have time for the required training and it gives me time to prepare before university starts and uni will be a new experience for me.
- How messy are they?
This is a concern that my mother have.
I would also greatly appreciate any advise given such as things I should be aware of and other useful bits of information.
Thanks in advance!
Hongsen
Hi,
If you search the boards, you'll find a lot of useful information on user experiences with guides. I think the best thing I can tell you, is the guide dog will perform as well as the handler. So if you have solid travel skills, can be consistent with the dog, have a good sense of responsibility, the guide relationship may be a good fit. It's still "may" because not all people prefer using a dog, it's ultimately personal preference. Dogs make my experience traveling quicker, I love being able to target doors/objects/landmarks, etc, and I love the companionship of a dog. Here's my list of downsides, since you said that's what you were interested in discussing.
schedule: your dog is going to be on a bathroom schedule, so whatever the weather you'll have to be outside for however long it takes and pick up after them like 4-5 times a day.
Expenses: depending on schools, you have to pick up cost of food, grooming, vet visits, supplies, etc.
Cleanliness: Grooming and upkeep of your dog is super important and that takes time and effort daily.
Boundaries: dogs will test boundaries. I consider myself a really good dog user and I keep my dog in check very consistently. However, even with all the effort I put in, she sometimes still tries to get on furniture, sneak people food when I'm not looking, chase after a squirrel, or play with a dog on route. It requires energy and patience to keep up that level of consistency and be aware of surroundings, distractions, and other potential problems all day every day, especially when the dog is off harness.
Agree completely with the above post, but here are some more things.
Planning: You have to plan your day, because a dog, like a small child, needs to be cared for. So if you go for dinner with friends then they decide to go to a bar, and then a club after you might have to say no. There are environments that aren't great for dogs, and whilst a bar is ok, loud places like clubs aren't. So you'll have to make the choice to go home.
Travel: If you are traveling internationally you need to look up the requirements for bringing a dog into that country, and then for returning home. You can't really travel spontaneously internationally because of this. Also if you choose not to take the dog you need someone to look after it.
Time: Having a dog is an investment. You need to put a lot of time into it to ensure that it's working well. Training doesn't end when you get that dog, every minute you are working that dog you are reenforcing the training. It's worth it, but it can get tiring.
I hope this helps some!
Hey all, thanks for the great feedback! they were really useful and definitely give me a more complete picture of how getting a guide dog would be like. Thanks so much!
I agree with everything that's been said here. To the negatives, I will add the constant attention you and your dog will get.
You will have to endure every dog story known to man by complete strangers. lol The questions from the public will be endless. If you're the type of person who doesn't like to stick out, a dog is definitely not for you.
as far as mess goes, dogs pee and poop like every other living being, but they are well trained to only go on command. but of course, like humans, some things happen. Keeping a dog on set potty times will insure that things won't happen most of the time. dogs also shead, but this can be at least controlled with grooming.
Once again, thanks all for the great feedback.
It might seem weird that I am asking for issues and disadvantages I might face but I am looking for a complete picture of the entire experience. I have heard great things about having guide dogs and can understand how it will benifit me but I would just like to look at the flipside and get prepared for any issues I might run into.
Thanks!
Another disadvantage is that a dog won't give you information about your surroundings like a cane will. I found the lack of feedback disorienting and that's why I don't use a dog anymore.
Getting all sides of an issue is the responsible thing to do, especially when it comes to something as life altering as having a guide dog.
Like the last poster, I was disoriented at first by the lack of tactile feedback of my surroundings. I quickly got over that though as I got more used to traveling with my guide and enjoying the freedom of not having to tap and pick my way around every little obstacle. It all depends on what kind of traveler you are.
They've finally opened up one of the connecting roads from my neighborhood to the rest of the world. I am very seriously considering getting another dog now. I've been without one for several years and I can now say that I definitely prefer traveling with a dog.
I'm merely curious. Can you travel drunk with a dog? I mean, as a cane user if I've had one too many at the bar getting home is just getting home. But I imagine with the added responsibility of the dog you'd have to temper that. Hell I temper that these days to a point now anyhow, hangovers in the 40s aren't what they used to be.
But, bring this up for benefit of anyone younger who is considering this. I imagine you kind of have to be on like a parent at that point, only you didn't leave the dog with a sitter like you would the kid for a night out.
You're not supposed to do so. However, I may or may not have done so in my past on one or two ocasions. lol I'm a happy drunk though.
If you can walk, you can walk with a dog, but the puppy doesn't want his paws crushed when you weave off balance!
Hi Leo. I've never owned a guide dog, but I was a regular drinking partner of
someone who did. On one memorable occasion, we embarked on an all day
drinking session, and when the pub shut, went back to my friend's house for
more booze. At 3:00 AM he couldn't remember if he'd fed the dog or not when
we'd come home from the pub.
For me, the biggest disadvantages of having a guide dog is the schedule, people constantly getting him excited in harness, and the fear of someone distracting him when crossing a street. I also am not very social so I don't like the constant attention in public.
And, I don't think I ever want another dog again. Another thing I forgot to mention is that when you have issues with the dog, such as begging, when the trainers come out to help you, the dog will be perfect and the trainers will most likely not be able to help you.
Hi all,
I want to thank you guys again for the great feedback, It really helped me. I started this board post last year and may have mentioned that I intended to have my training before I enter uni but I will finally be starting my training sometime in the middle of the year. It will be an interesting experience and I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks.
well I would like to say a few things. WHen on a train, if you stand up, or tell your dog its time to head out, most will head toward the open door, as its really the only way to go if the train and or buss is full of people. at least mine does. I have never had to pick up poop mor than 3 times a day, but that also depends on the dog, mine only poops once, maybe twice, 3 times if he is sick. expect to vacume a lot. Dogs shed, and you will need to groom them and keep up with vacuuming your carpets. I am on the way to getting one of those vacumes that runs while I am at work, so I don't have to wrry about it. Expect a lot of attention on your dog, and expect people to ignore you. People like dogs because you will have yours in places that they normally wouldn't expect to see a furry creature, but they see people everywhere, so they most likely will only talk to you to ask questions about the dog. it will poop or pee inside. No matter how well trained, it will happen, every handler deals with it. so have carpet cleaner or floor cleaner on tap. Make sure you plan well as stated above. those are just some things off the top of my head
I don't know. I never had to deal with poop or pee inside unless I was to lazy to take the dog out.
If it happened, it was always my fault.
This was even true with my pet dogs after they'd been house trained.
My dogs simply never went in doors.
Yeah, in 19 years of having dogs, that's happened twice, when a dog was sick.
to post 15, not all dogs behave this way. It does happen that the dog with issues will behave when the trainer is visiting to follow up and help, but sometimes, as was the case with my dog last year, the dog will make the mistake you're trying to fix. Just as all people have different personalities, so too do dogs. It took that training session to help me remember just how food-motivated my dog is. Typical lab. *smiles*
Hi Hongsen, first, congratulation and welcome to the guide dog family.
Most of the negativity has been explore here, however, if i'm not mistaken, you are from Singapore, which I would like to draw some particular attention of the environment there.
I know that Singapore is well develop, and it has solert laws and regulations in place for dealing with service dog discrimination, and you are not the first guide dog user there that I know. However, I think one of the disadvantage of having a dog in such environment, is the constent battll you might have, educating ordinary public about the purpose of guide dog, and also advocating for yourself and your dog in those situation where you do get rejected for entry, in to private businesses etc.
However, as long as you go with an open hard, and try to educate and advocate the ignorance, and like most posters said, keep up the training, guide dog is something that will change your orientation and mobility experience forever.
OF course, if you are a frequent traveler to Malaysia, or to other neighbouring countries, bringing your dog in to those countries may not be an issue, but how much you can utilize your dog in those countries without stressing both of you out is something that you need to put serious consideration on.
Over all, i'll say it again, go in with an open hard, have a good time bonding with the dog, and be ready for the experience that you might have, both positives and negatives, advantages and disadvantages, whatever problem you have, remember, your guide dog mobility instructor is your first point of contact, and there are also many guide dog users here that understand you, and support you.
Lastly, if you need anyone to talk to, about guide dog, about access issues in those places, do feel free to drop me a note.
Good luck and all the best to you and your dog, do keep us updated with your training journey
I think, the dog will be as good as what you want it to be, and I always believe that it is the handler responsibility, as much as the dog itself to make sure that she or he will have plenty of toilet break, rutine feeding time, and toys to play and chew.
Otherwise, you will end up with a dog that is going to poop inside your house, chewed all your goodies, and having a generally bad behave dog.
The end of the initial dog training is not the ending, but it is just the beginning of the journey. :)
Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it!
I do expect to do quite a bit of public educating; although the laws and legislations may permit guide dogs in most places, the public may not be aware of it. Hopefully, this will improve in the future (though I heard its much better) than before but for now, I think I can live with that.
I do travel to Malaysia for visiting trips but I think rather than bringing the dog along, I may get someone to help take care of the dog while I am away. It seems that guide dogs aren't allowed in most places there, from what I can find out. Again, I do hope that the situation will improve in the future.
Regarding the toiletting issues mentioned in the previous posts, is it common for guide dogs to have such accidents indoors? My impression is that it only occurs during the periods of time when the dog is not feeling well.
No. Read the post above. It is not.
@post 24
Yes, I did see the above posts including yours, but thought I should just double-check, looking at post 17. Thanks for confirming that though, its really good that I have a channce to this things cleared up with people who have experience.
Hong Seng, re: toileting issue, it is very much depends on the dog itself, and the handler on how you handle it. Some dogs need to go out every 2 to 3 hours, some dogs might need to go out every 5 to 6 hours, some might deficate ones a day, other might deficate 3 times a day. what is good though, is to establish some sort of rutine from the beginning, and balance it out when you are confident and comfortable and bonded with the dog. Remember, before the dog gets to you, she or he would have stay with at least 4 or 5 or even more people, and every puppy raisers, trainers, people that he or she has come contact with, might have different rutine compare to yours. As long as you don't give him/her any other food but their own dog food, and making sure that the food is the highest quality that you can get, as long as you taking the dog out to toilet say every 4 hours or so during the day, and last thing at night and first thing in the morning, you should be fine. At the end of the day, the dog will only produce what she/he has been taking in. :)
True, true.:)
But in any case, it is always your fault if they go, unless they're sick inside anyway.
Seems to me, if you are also working your dog, meaning, using it as intended, this isn't a problem either.
You are out walking, and whatever, and that generates it to go if need be.
Sorry for the late response, I was busy with exams. Once again, thanks for the comments, they are close to what I was expecting and what I have learnt from others.
Thanks!
Well congratulations on deciding to get a dog and you may get denied into public places and i had issues taking my dog to the public swimming pool because i couldn't go for a proper swim as my dog would make lots of noise when i was in the water as i think he thought i was going to drown even though i can swim.
i would not take the dog to a pub or clubs because they may not be use to loud noises or crowd of people but just use your common sense with where you take your dog or not.
Great having the dog as of more independence as you won't need help crossing the street and you will feel safer, smiles.
You will have to answer questions but whether you have a dog or not you will still have to answer questions from people because of you having a cane as you are different in the public eye.
I found it a good idea not allowing your dog in the kitchen as it prevents the dog from begging and also only giving it its own food and not yours as it keeps the dog at a healthy weight.
Like many of us you will experience good and bad things with your dog and yes you will have to keep training it especially when things occur like your dog picks up things its not suppose to do but some dogs are prone to doing it than more than others will do.
Mine never went toilet inside as he always went and did it outdoors and you will have to groom the dog regularly because they do shed fur especially in the times when the season changes and pay for things but you do that with all animals you own.
They are great companions and you can have lots of fun with them too, smiles.
Agreed. Not a guide dog handler myself although I continue to give due consideration to the possibility as my life situation changes. But I definitely don't think I'd take a guide dog to the Karaoke bar I frequent if for no other reason than it's sometimes difficult enough dealing with drunk people as it is LOL. And while you can usually explain things to a sober person it can be a lot harder explaining that same thing to that same individual after they've tossed a few back. That poor dog would probably be constantly distracted by the attention even if the music didn't phase him/her.
Probably not a great idea to take the pup to the swimming pool! Labs love to swim, most of them. They will happily jump right in, so if this isn't allowed, be kind, and let him stay home that afternoon!
Karaoke is too loud for a dog.
Kareoke, concerts, bars, any place where there are sureto be drunk people ... Definitely not okay. Out of respect for the dog's needs and the amount of stress that could potentially put him or her under, I'd leave them at home. My dog will likely be retired by the time the Kenny G concert I'll be attending comes up in April, 2018, but if she wasn't, I'd ask a neighbor to watch her for me.
This is why it's good to keep up with cane travel skills even while you have the dog. Plus, there may be other occasions like if the dog is ill and can't work. If you don't keep up with the cane use, it's going to be super uncomfortable traveling with one after you get the dog and adapting to situations outlined above where you've chosen to leave the dog at home.
hi all,
it was great for me reading this topic, as i am going to get my first and ew guide dog tomorrow. my training at the center will be much shorter than usual because i've started a new job and i can't miss so many days. i hope i'll learn everything quick enough.
another disadvantage is a problem to get the dog in to cabs. by law the drivers must take it and you can take them in to court if they don't. but they always find ways and tricks to help them avoiding taking you with the dog and you can't really prove it.
thanks
tal