Planning new routes
Learning new routes with your guide dog is key to your partnership and provides many benefits. You'll be able to discover new places, giving you a sense of independence and access to a wider range of destinations. Along the way, you'll also build your confidence, and let's not forget the fun your guide dog will have, experiencing your new shared journeys.
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Getting started with planning new routes
Planning a new route is a positive and exciting experience, but it's also natural for you and your dog to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. However, help is at hand as there are many resources and support options to assist you along the way.
How to teach your guide dog a new route
Once you’re familiar and confident with your new route, you’ll want to get your guide dog onboard too. Teaching your guide dog, a new route requires patience and planning, but a few simple techniques can make the learning process more manageable for your guide dog:
Timing is key
When introducing a new route to your dog, choose quieter times of the day and week, such as avoiding school pick-up times or busy bin collection days. This lets your guide dog focus on the route rather than the additional distractions. Once your dog is confident with the new route, you can come back at different times to introduce them to other challenges.
Preparation builds confidence
You can enhance your confidence, as well as your dog's, by knowing new routes well before introducing them to your guide dog. Before you leave to go out, it’s always worth checking your route on an app like Google Maps in case there are road closures or heavy traffic that you need to be aware of.
Long-term and short-term goals
Breaking down your long-term goals into smaller milestones is an effective technique for learning new routes, and the same is true when introducing your dog to a new route.
Splitting a new route into sections lets you focus on each section in-depth. Before you do this, you should walk the full route several times with your chosen sighted guide, first with your dog on a lead and then moving to the working harness. From here, you can move to teaching the route in sections without your guide. Once your dog is comfortable with a section, you can start to fit the sections together, continuing to recap when needed. This step-by-step approach helps both of you feel safe.
Putting safety first when planning new routes
When it comes to planning your routes, safety should always be your top priority. Remember that the shortest path may not necessarily be the safest one. Instead, select the most straightforward and secure route for your journey.
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Consider various factors such as pedestrian crossings, the width of pavements, or routes with no pavements.
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Review the use or non-use of alleyways, underpasses, and areas with wide open spaces so you can assess any potential risks or hazards that may arise along the way.
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Check routes in advance, using apps such as Google Maps to get a general sense of the route timings and traffic conditions.
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Identify where there is the potential to go off course on a route and, if this does happen, how to rectify it. For example, if you take a wrong turn, you could retrace your steps until you reach a familiar location. Use an app to tell you where you are or ask a passer-by for assistance. Having a plan and strategy in place and knowing where on a route you might miss a turning will help avoid or rectify any unplanned detours!
By prioritising safety as part of your route planning, you'll feel more confident when you're out with your guide dog.
Using your senses for orientation
When it comes to knowing where you are when you're out and about, you have an incredible set of tools at your disposal - your senses! Here are some tips on how to use your senses to stay oriented.
Lyn's story
After Lyn’s guide dog retired, she was worried about how she was going to cope without her. Since joining the Ready to Train programme Lyn has received 1:1 support from Rachael, a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to learn new routes using her cane.
Additional training for new routes at specific times or locations
Sometimes the routes you're planning might need some extra preparation and additional training. For example, night-time adventures may require specialised training to help with low-light conditions, such as identifying different surfaces, curbs, and obstacles. Reflective gear and accessories can enhance visibility and safety during night-time strolls.
Similarly, group walks are fantastic opportunities to socialise and enjoy the company of others while exploring new routes together, but specific training may focus on maintaining proper alignment and coordinating movements to ensure a smooth walk without accidental collisions.
The Highway Code and route planning
The Highway Code is updated from time to time. Sometimes it may not align exactly with the advice we give here at Guide Dogs, so if you ever have any questions or notice any differences, feel free to give us a shout.
If you have any questions while planning, learning or after completing a new route, please don't hesitate to call Guide Line, or get in touch with your Guide Dog Mobility Specialist.