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Guide Dog etiquette
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How should I behave around a Guide Dog?

It takes a lot of concentration for both a person and their Guide Dog to work safely together. To help this team focus on their important work, please follow these tips.
  • The Guide Dog must not be the centre of attention - please don't pat, feed or otherwise distract the dog when it's working. A well-intentioned pat can undo months of training.
  • Please don't grab the person or the dog's harness. Ask if they need assistance first. You can find out more about Guiding Etiquette here.
  • When you provide guiding assistance, please walk on the person's opposite side to the Guide Dog.
  • Please make sure your pet dog is on the leash or under control around the Guide Dog. When approaching, it may be polite to let the person know that you have a dog.
  • If you see a loose dog, please contact the local Council.
  • According to government legislation, you must allow the Guide Dog to go anywhere the person using it can go.

How should a Guide Dog behave around me?

Guide Dogs receives its own etiquette lessons during training, so they should behave appropriately in all situations.
  • The Guide Dog should be well behaved at all times, and settled when not working.
  • When working, the Guide Dog should avoid temptations such as begging for food, drooling and chewing objects around them.
  • The Guide Dog should respond to the user's commands to maintain its concentration.
  • The Guide Dog should be clean, groomed and free of offensive odours.

People who use Guide Dogs have been trained in the most effective ways to control their dog's behaviour, so please only provide assistance if requested.