Here are some hints on what to do and what not to do when you see a person with a guide dog or service dog:
- Don’t try to grab or steer the person while the dog is guiding or attempt to hold the dog’s harness
- Try not to be overprotective or overbearing when the graduate first arrives home with the new dog
- Be patient while a new guide or service dog gets acclimated to their job and handler
- Never give the dog table scraps
- Don’t permit anyone to tease or abuse the dog
- Don’t allow your or other pets to challenge or intimidate a guide dog
- A guide and service dog should not jump on furniture or go in areas of a home not mutually agreed upon by the family or handler
- Never let the dog out of the house unsupervised, and be sure that all doors and/or gates are left closed
