Why We Don’t Feed the Guide Dog
Guide dogs undergo years of extensive and specialized training to learn how to safely guide visually impaired people. Their training focuses on obedience, concentration, and resisting distractions while being the lifeline for their human handlers. Because of this intensive training, guide dogs must follow a strict nutritional regimen. Feeding guide dogs without the handler’s permission can actually undo their training and reinforce bad habits.
Their Training is Very Specific
Guide dogs receive extensive training that lasts over two years to prepare them for their important job helping visually impaired people. According to Guide Dogs for the Blind, guide dogs go through multiple phases of training starting as puppies in raiser homes, then formal training at around 15 months old, and finally specialized instruction with their handler (https://www.guidedogs.com/about-guide-dogs-for-the-blind/dog-departments/guide-dog-training).
A key focus of their training is learning to tune out distractions and resist temptations like food on the ground. Guide Dogs for the Blind states the formal training phase includes “exercises designed to distract the dogs and reinforce their obedience” (https://www.guidedogs.com/uploads/files/Puppy-Raising-Manual/Training-Phase-Descriptions.pdf). The dogs practice heeling, avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs, and safely leading their handler through many different environments and scenarios.
This intensive, specialized training is essential to produce guide dogs that can provide mobility and independence to visually impaired handlers. The dogs learn to resist tempting distractions and focus on their critical job guiding their handler.
Guide Dogs Have a Strict Diet
Guide dogs eat a specific veterinary-approved diet that is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition. According to Guide Dogs for the Blind, guide dogs are fed a premium dry kibble diet that is appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adult maintenance, etc.) [1].
This tailored diet is carefully designed to support a guide dog’s health and meet their unique nutritional needs. Feeding them anything outside of their prescribed food can upset their digestive system and overall health. Unapproved human food and treats can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis and other issues [2].
Since their kibble is nutritionally complete, supplements and additions are typically unnecessary. The handler provides all of the guide dog’s meals to ensure they follow the proper diet.
Treats Can Undo Their Training
Giving treats to guide dogs can undo their training and have detrimental effects, as noted by The Guide Dogs for the Blind (source). Guide dogs undergo rigorous training to ensure they stay focused on their handler and the tasks at hand. Handing out treats teaches them to beg for food from strangers, which could seriously distract them from their duties.
Accepting treats from others may also lead the guide dog to wander away from their handler in search of more food, which is incredibly dangerous. According to dog training experts, using praise as reinforcement rather than treats leads to better performance in guide dogs (source). Their strict diet and training regime should not be undone by well-meaning strangers offering treats.
It Can Reinforce Bad Behavior
Guide dogs undergo extensive training to ensure they exhibit proper manners and behaviors. According to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raising Manual, guide dogs are trained not to jump, nip, or whine [1]. However, offering treats can inadvertently encourage these unwanted behaviors that they are conditioned to avoid.
When a guide dog is offered a treat by someone other than their handler, they may get excited and start exhibiting jumping, nipping, or whining in hopes of getting the food. This rewards and reinforces the very behaviors that guide dogs are trained not to do [2]. It creates a conflict between their training and the reinforcement from getting treats.
While it may seem harmless to offer a treat, it can undo their training by encouraging bad manners. That’s why it’s important for anyone interacting with guide dogs to avoid reinforcing these unwanted behaviors by offering food rewards.
Their Food is Provided by Their Handler
A guide dog’s handler is responsible for providing them with their meals and keeping them on a feeding schedule that meets their nutritional needs. According to the Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy raising manual, puppies should be fed three times a day based on their age and body condition. As they mature, they transition to two meals a day.
Handlers receive instructions on the proper amount and type of food to feed their guide dogs. Feeding guides recommend specific brands and formulas designed for working dogs. For example, Guide Dogs for the Blind feeds their dogs Eukanuba brand dog foods.
It’s important that handlers stick to the recommended feeding guidelines and not overfeed treats or people food. Overfeeding can cause obesity and other health problems in guide dogs. Handlers know their dog’s nutritional needs best and are responsible for providing a diet that supports their working lifestyle.
The Handler Knows Their Needs
The handler is very familiar with any dietary issues or restrictions their guide dog may have. According to Guide Dogs for the Blind, “You will be responsible for feeding, watering, relieving, grooming, exercising, and sheltering your dog.”[1] This means the handler knows exactly what their dog can and cannot eat.
Additionally, the handler knows precisely how much food the dog should eat each day. The feeding guidelines state that the handler maintains “an expectable level of obedience” by controlling the dog’s portions.[2] The handler is trained on the specific dietary needs of their guide dog.
It Can Cause Aggression
Feeding a guide dog treats from multiple people can contribute to food aggression and guarding behaviors. According to the ASPCA, “Food aggression occurs when a dog feels the need to assert his dominance over people or other animals to retain control of his food resources.” [1]
Guide dogs exhibit low rates of food aggression, but it can still develop if they are fed by multiple handlers. As the Guide Dogs organization explains, “Puppies exhibiting food-related aggression often react aggressively when approached while eating.” [2]
Allowing food aggression behaviors like growling or biting over food is very dangerous for a working guide dog. Their handler needs to be able to safely handle them at all times. Keeping their diet controlled prevents opportunities for guarding behaviors to develop.
Redirect Interest Away from Food
Guide dogs should not be given food or treats while they are working. Their training teaches them to remain focused on their handler and their working duties, not on soliciting food from others. The best way to interact with a working guide dog is through praise, petting, or play – when appropriate and allowed by the handler. Verbal praise like “good dog” lets the dog know they are doing their job well without disrupting their focus. Brief petting or playing can be an appropriate reward from the handler. But the key is to reinforce the dog’s working behavior, not treat-seeking from strangers. The handler knows best what their dog needs, so defer to them for cues on interaction. Keeping the dog’s interest on working, not on food treats from outsiders, ensures they maintain their extensive training. As guide dog trainers emphasize, the most important thing is to keep the dog’s focus on the job, not divided between working and soliciting food.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several important reasons not to feed a guide dog directly:
– Their training is extremely specialized and feeding them could undermine it
– They follow a strict diet planned by their handler to meet their unique nutritional needs
– Treats and extra food can lead to begging, aggression, or other problem behaviors
– The handler knows the dog best and is responsible for its meals and care
While guide dogs are amazing to witness in action, it’s best to simply enjoy them from afar. Let their handler take care of providing their food, water, and any treats. This allows the guide dog to focus on their important job assisting their handler.