Despite the joys of the festive season, a new survey from Guide Dogs suggests nine in ten guide dog owners worry about the additional challenges this time of year can bring, including the public distracting their guide dog. Our new research shows nearly two thirds (60%) agree that the abundance of celebrations, gatherings and parties can be stressful (compared to just 40% of the general population).
We're calling on the public to help make the festive season safer and more enjoyable for everyone, with the return of our ‘Don’t Dive On The Dog’ initiative, encouraging the public to not distract working guide dogs. Of the guide dog owners surveyed, 55% said that Christmas is the time of year guide dogs are most distracted by members of the public compared to other months, due to more people out and about – admitting it is the most challenging time of year to be out and about for someone with sight loss.
In fact, nearly one quarter (23%) of guide dog owners even cancel or change Christmas plans to avoid the festive rush, concerned about the additional difficulties they face.
Two thirds (62%) of guide dog owners say their dog is distracted at least once a day from strangers. Distracting a dog can come in many forms with guide dog owners reporting common issues such as petting, whistling, taking pictures and offering food.
The charity also polled the public and found just over one in six people (17%) admit they’ve distracted a guide dog, with 23% stating they forget the dog is at work and nearly one in three (29%) not understanding the danger of distracting a guide dog for their owner. While those with visual impairments do appreciate offers of assistance where appropriate, petting a guide dog as a perceived act of kindness (which 62% of people admit to) can lead to the guide dog losing focus and missing an obstacle or hazard.
Cathy Williams, age 22, from Caerphilly has been partnered with 3-year-old golden retriever Spencer, since 2022. Cathy said, “I’ve had members of the public distracting Spencer right from the start of our partnership. One of worst encounters I had happened early on when I was out shopping with friends, and a man started whistling and calling Spencer towards him. I asked him politely to stop but he ignored me and followed us for ages, calling me cruel for not letting him say hello. He only left when my male friend intervened. It was really dehumanising.
“I have had parents stroking Spencer only for their children to tell them not to touch a guide dog. Once someone tried to feed Spencer a whole cheese and onion pasty! This sort of thing happens year-round, but I always feel Christmastime seems to get people all hyped-up. Spencer is great with the general public and we do fundraising events together, but Christmas makes me a bit nervous about how people will behave.”
Tim Stafford, Director of Canine Affairs at Guide Dogs, says: “Guide dogs are working professionals who play a vital role in providing independence to people with sight loss. Please respect guide dogs, especially over the very busy festive period, by not petting, talking to, or otherwise interacting with them while they are on duty and wearing their white harness.
“Distracting a guide dog could seriously compromise their human partner’s safety. By allowing guide dogs to focus on their job, you do your bit to enable people with sight loss to live their lives freely, safely and without interruption. You wouldn’t interrupt Rudolph on his Christmas Eve mission – so please don’t dive on the dog when you see a guide dog.”
