Nice story, shame about the Staffoe, they do get some bad press and although stereotyping, I am warey of them.
Great story! It's hard for Guide Dog owners, they can't see trouble ahead and avoid it. The general public need a lot of educating, I think. Even 'little' things like throwing food and litter on the floor. So many guide dogs are distracted by people too - they click at them and talk to them. If their owners are about to go down steps etc its highly dangerous but happens all the time. The worst offenders are dog lovers! As a puppy walker I have to strike a balance between socialising Twiglet to all sorts of people and teaching her not to be distracted when working. By the time she's 12 months old she will need to be not distracted at all. But folks could help by not lunging at them/talking to them/whistling and clicking at them!
People are mad, Mags. OK, I'm not training a Guide Dog, but I was out with Willow on Saturday, doing some training. It was blatantly obvious she was working and not simply playing. A guy stopped as he was walking by at the other end of the area we were in, dropped to the floor and starting calling and clicking to her. What the actual?! He shouted to me to let her go and see him. I glowered at him but otherwise ignored him and clipped her on the lead and walked the other way. What goes through their minds?!
I can never understand people who call out to dogs on lead - they are on a lead - let alone Guide Dogs! Gosh..... The receptionist at my vet's is the absolute worst person for this. I'll be sat with Charlie on a lead and she'll call him, slapping her thighs in a "jump up at me" gesture, from the other end of the room. What on earth does she expect to happen?
The veterinary nurse at my surgery does this, too! I get that you're in the job because you love animals, and my dogs love her back, but get a grip!
