Guide Dogs? There's an App for That

Hello I am blind and Have a guide dog and I very happy with my guide dog he give me the fredom I never had. I never alone I have a friend on my leftside a wingman and I take good care of him. I when to a good school "Guide Dogs of America" in southern California

ok, a couple of things I have to say here: I'm blind, currently do nto use a guide dog, but will probably get one in the future. why? Because I am a doglover. and before anyone says that I can't be a dogloer and subject these dogs to 'slavery', let me tell you soemthing. my dog (and all themany other guide dogs I know personally and have spent a lot f time with( does NOT and will NEVER work 24/7. That is ridiculous and any owner who makes their duide or service dog work like that should be prosicuted and banned from ever having a guide dog. Apps for navigation are great, I@m by no means against that, but appa do not have brains. And, as a woman who often travels alone, I feel a heck of a lot safer with a dog than a smartphone which could be snatched out of my hand. In Ireland, if a dog doesn't make the cut, they are rehomed; each personwho wants to take on a dog is assessed thoroughly, the dog is then given over as a pet to that person - no punishment, no putting down, nothing harmful. I do admit that correction by physical punishment is sometimes used when training the dogs, but only in very extreme circumstances - how would you like your dog to drag you across a road in front of a bus?? When you've seen all sides of the story, then you can talk about it. until then, educate yourselves before you start mouthing off. Christina

I wanted to clear a few things up. MOST service dogs are trained and treated like slaves. However, few, such as my own, are not slaves. She's a family member and when she's working, she's a respected, valued employee with rights. I don't force her to do anything, nor do I use physical corrections if she doesn't do what I want. She was trained with love and patience and I never used corrections, or choke, prong or shock collars on her. 99% of her training is positive reinforcement, the 1% is negative punishment (removal of reinforcement, such as ignoring attention seeking behavior). She is always walked on a harness so there's never any pressure on her neck. I carry an orthopedic travel bed with us everywhere we go that she'd be laying down for prolonged periods of time. Most people just use towels to keep their dogs clean, while I care about keeping her comfortable. She has her own water bottle and a Cool Pup Coat and a Kool Collar to keep her cool. She has coats and sweaters for when it's cold out. She works for me because she wants to. She starts prancing when I take out her harness and she slips her head through the loop herself. I make sure that her job is enjoyable and I pay her with what she wants, which happens to be treats. Many other service dogs are exactly like how you described. Just tools to be used by people who aren't particularly grateful to these selfless dogs. Many of these dogs are forced into helping people and if they don't serve, they're shocked with shock collars, their leashes are jerked, often times with a choke or prong collar, and they face other forms of physical punishment when they don't do what's expected of them. That IS slavery. If someone has a service dog and the dog needs to retire but the person needs a new service dog but can't afford two dogs, it can't be helped that the retired service dog will be rehomed. It really, really sucks and it's some way to thank the dog for their years of service but what else can they do? Rescue dogs have been proven over and over again to be good candidates for service dog work. There's absolutely no need to be breeding dogs for service work. Just like some rescue dogs don't make good candidates, so do some dogs specifically bred for this work. There's no reason to be taking away homes from dogs already in existence in need of them.

The app does sound cool. I will say that. I foresee many glitches and technical difficulties, though, all the same ones that gps' and phones have, that could potentially be fatal. Dogs don't have technical glitches and also have logical, problem-solving thought processes that make them the safer option. Not to the mention the extreme bond that happens between dog and handler, the emotional support the dog gives the visually impaired person, and the fact that many guide dogs do, indeed love their work. And frankly, many are treated much, MUCH better than many pets that are owned by morons. There's too many of those. That being said, I do have to say I can see where PETA is coming from. However, they are WAY misinformed (i.e. retired dogs do not need to be adopted out, they can stay with their handler for life) so they should get their facts straight before writing this sort of thing. But despite their lack of research and understanding of a guide dog’s life, they have a minor point. There is an animal overpopulation issue going on, and the dogs are held to MUCH stricter standards than pet dogs. It can seem harsh to the outside eye, and frankly is an ongoing moral dilemma for myself. Being on tie-down for long periods of time, for instance. But again… MANY moronic pet owners do much worse things to their dogs, and these amazing guide dogs are always taken excellent care of in the way of health and safety. I have never once seen an obese guide dog… they get to go everywhere and stay very fit… that’s much more than can be said for millions of pet dogs across the country. And when that harness comes off… they are a regular dog. They get petted, played with, given treats, kissed, hugged, and loved. And they never complain, because, well they are intelligent creatures that probably understand the freedom they are giving to the person who loves them with all of their heart. And frankly, doesn’t every dog really want to go out to dinner with their person anyway? Guide dogs get to. :)

I have a Guide dog, this is my second one. My First is "Old" and enjoys a VERY comfortable life sprawled on the couch when I have to go somewhere... My new Girl (I have and use Danes due to some mobility Issues) When told "Harness" IS quite excited she wiggles sitting her tail goes back and forth thumping against the wall. She enjoys going places "Pets" can not go... it is absurd to assume they are not petted... some owners do allow it, why? because it socializes the dog.... It is not frequent but it does not heartbreak our dog if they do not get attention. The fact Our Dogs go with us constantly prolongs their lives, My Vet offers Free exams, and discounts IF she is sick which has not happened. If she needs something she gets it no questions asked, her diet is quite well and she is quite healthy. The Bond we share is unspeakable, And I am sorry but with progressive blindness and being visually impaired My Girl who has a name, Celeste does not have batteries that die, she does not glitch, she does not act miserable... vest is on when we work off when we don't. While not all dogs make the cut I feel PETA needs to do some more research before condemning animals quite happy in their Job... known fact dogs that are working and have tasks live much healthier longer lives then dogs that don't otherwise you explain how a dog breed that is destined for 7-8 years tops is making it to 13 years sprawled right now on his own binky and still has plenty of life in him. Why don't you ask some of the people that foster and socialize, or some of us that rely on them. Why don't you see the excitement and joy? I know my speak program on my computer goes out, I know I can not rely on technology but I can ALWAYS rely on my best friend... can YOU say that?