Preparing your home and lifestyle for your new guide dog

At Guide Dogs, we know how exciting it is to embark on a new journey with your guide dog. However, before they arrive, you'll need to get your home, garden and lifestyle 'dog ready'.

The four Guide Dog principles

We use four key principles at Guide Dogs to help guide our interactions with our dogs, and they inform how we approach their care and welfare. The principles are: knowing, managing, training (also referred to as ‘teaching’), and partnering. Using these principles, we cover everything from home safety to lifestyle adjustments to ensure a smooth transition and a happy start to your relationship. 

1: Knowing your guide dog

The first Guide Dogs principle is knowing your guide dog. Before your new guide dog arrives, it’s important to learn about dogs as a species. Use good quality, evidence-based material to understand the basics of dog behaviour and how they learn and interpret the world. It may be useful to research breed-specific behaviours, but remember every dog is unique and must be treated as an individual - your guide dog will be different to any other dog you may have had before.

Your Guide Dog Mobility Specialist (GDMS) can tell you about your guide dog’s usual routine, likes and dislikes, and any personality traits to help you understand and accommodate their needs. It’s also useful to ask for some of their familiar items, like a favourite blanket or toy, to bring home with you as the familiar scents will comfort your dog in a new setting. This knowledge can make a big difference in helping your guide dog to settle in their new home.

2: Managing your home

The second Guide Dogs principle focuses on management. This applies to managing your home environment, managing the interactions between other people and your guide dog, and managing new experiences.

In your home, set up safe spaces. For example, having an area of a room specifically for your dog’s bed. This will give them a safe place to go to when they need space.

Children and visitors

It's important that your guide dog has a positive first introduction to family members in your home. Keep introductions calm and relaxed, and allow your guide dog the option of going to their bed or 'safe space'. It's important that you and your family avoid approaching your dog while sleeping or relaxing on their bed. Young children should also be instructed to be calm and gentle when interacting with your dog, especially while they settle into their new home. It's recommended that you avoid having visitors for the first few days to avoid overwhelming your guide dog.

Other dogs and pets

Your GDMS will explain how best to introduce your new dog to other dogs in the home. If you have a retired guide dog you need to consider their needs as well as your new dog. Most dogs will adapt very well to living with other dogs.

Introducing your dog to other pets needs to be managed carefully. Caged animals such as rabbits or birds may be especially interesting to a dog but also may be fearful of your new guide dog. Cats may also take time to adapt and require special attention. If you need to make changes, such as moving cat litter trays or animal cages, this should be done before your dog’s arrival to allow your pets to adapt.

Your GDMS will advise how best to manage your home to meet the needs of your new guide dog and your other pets.

Safety at home

Your new guide dog is likely to be curious, so making your home safe is essential. Before they arrive, check each room for potential dangers, such as small objects that could be swallowed or possible choking hazards. Move medication and bins out of your guide dog’s reach and make sure all electrical cables and wires are tucked away or covered.

Many people aren't aware of how many household items, plants, and foods are toxic to dogs, so it’s important to do your research before your dog arrives. Some examples of things that pose a danger to dogs include:

• Toxic foods such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes and raisins
• Toxic houseplants such as aloe vera, pothos or lilies
• Choking hazards such as small ornaments or toys
• Over-the-counter or prescribed medicines
• Cleaning products such as bleach, oven cleaners and toilet cleaners

Outdoor precautions

Your guide dog will enjoy spending time outside, but if you have an outdoor space, you need to ensure you make this secure by checking for potential escape routes and hazards. Repair any broken fences, remove dangerous items like garden tools or sharp objects, and ensure your borders or flower beds are free from toxic plants. Some examples of outdoor plants and items that are toxic to dogs include:

• Wisteria
• Hemlock
• Rhubarb leaves
• Weeds such as ragwort or common ivy
• Conkers and acorns
• Antifreeze, slug repellents and rat poison

It’s a good idea to add signs to remind people to close the gate behind them to prevent your guide dog from wandering off. You may wish to install a spring on the gate hinge so that it closes automatically.

3. Training your dog

Our third principle, training, relates to teaching our dogs and rewarding them for appropriate behaviour. You, and any family members, need to be consistent and keep to a routine that the dog can predict. By using clear, consistent communication, and positive reinforcement you’ll help your dog learn what behaviour is expected from them in your home. Your GDMS will support you, throughout the lifetime of your partnership, to make sure that training techniques are upheld.

Toileting

Decide an area for your dog to toilet – at Guide Dogs, we sometimes refer to this as a ‘spending area’. Make sure that you stock up on poo bags and consider a designated outdoor waste bin.

When your new guide dog arrives, they may drink more and need to toilet more frequently - be sure to monitor your dog for signs they need to go outside. It's important to be consistent with where you'd like your dog to toilet. You should also consider temporarily limiting their access to other outdoor areas by using gates or barriers.

4. Partnering with your dog

Partnering is the final Guide Dogs principle, and this means having a relationship with your dog that’s founded on mutual love and respect. A degree of compromise should be expected, so allow your dog to get to know you, your family and your expectations. A new guide dog is a new member of your family and should be treated as such.

Arrange to spend time with your new guide dog

Adapting your work schedule and daily activities to include your new guide dog is a key aspect of guide dog partnerships. The first four-to-six days with your new dog are important to establish a bond, a working relationship and a routine with them – your GDMS will help you with this. Play sessions will help you and your new guide dog bond - your GDMS can describe what games or play your dog enjoys.

Veterinary care

Your guide dog will need to be registered with a local veterinary clinic. Your Dog Welfare Specialist (DWS) can help you identify a suitable clinic. It’s important to plan how you’ll get to the vet with your guide dog, including in an emergency, before your dog’s arrival. Emergencies can happen day or night, so it's best to plan different travel options.

Essential equipment

Before your new guide dog arrives, you'll want everything ready to help them feel at home from the very first day. Some essential items to prepare before your guide dog arrives include the following:

1. Bedding: You’ll need to ensure that you have a comfortable, durable bed that suits your guide dog's size and preferences. The bed needs enough support to cushion their joints and keep them warm. Creating a safe space for your new guide dog is essential for their wellbeing and comfort. Dogs, like people, need downtime and a place to feel secure and relaxed. Make sure their bed is in a draught-free area, ideally in a quiet corner where they won't be disturbed.
2. Toys: You can provide a variety of toys to stimulate your guide dog mentally and physically. Include chew toys appropriate for their chewing strength, interactive toys for mental stimulation and toys for fetching and playing. You may wish to rotate toys regularly to keep your dog interested and engaged.
3. Food and water bowls: Invest in sturdy, non-tip bowls for food and water. Stainless steel or ceramic options are durable and easy to clean, and they can usually be put in the dishwasher. Placing a mat under the bowls can help manage spills and keep the feeding area tidy. You’ll also need a set of food scales to weigh out your guide dog’s daily allowance.
4. Grooming essentials: You'll be provided with the appropriate grooming equipment for your dog's breed and will be shown how to keep your dog in tip-top condition. Daily grooming is important as it can help to identify any health issues and also to ensure your dog is presented appropriately in public.