Safety Around Traffic
Traffic and roads can be very hazardous for dogs with high levels of serious injury and deaths. These tragedies can be avoided with safety measures in place. Here are some tips for keeping the puppy safe around traffic:
- Always keep the puppy on a leash when they are away from home unless you are free running them in a completely enclosed and safe area. No matter how well-behaved the puppy becomes, never have them off the lead unless there is a fence between them and the nearest road.
- Do not use a long lead on the puppy when near a road. A long lead will give them enough space to potentially wander or run out onto the road and risk getting hit by a car.
- Hold the leash tightly when walking the puppy near a road so that the leash cannot accidentally slip out of your hand if the puppy pulls suddenly.
- Teach the puppy to "come". Coming to you when called is one of the most important skills the puppy can learn. Although we strive never to let dogs get into an unsafe situation, the “come” (or “recall”) response could prevent an accident.
- Be sure that the puppy never has the opportunity or means to escape from a door, window or through a gap in your fence. Get other people in your home to be aware of where the puppy is when they enter or exit the house so that the puppy can't slip out accidentally. It is a good idea to teach the puppy to “sit” and “wait” away from the door when you know someone is going to enter or exit.
- When free running the puppy, make sure they are in a fully fenced area and away from traffic.
Travelling by Car
Since a Guide Dog Handler will need to use various vehicles to travel, the puppy will need to be comfortable in cars, busses, and other modes of transportation.
While in a car, the ideal place for the puppy to ride is the front passenger footwell. This is where they will travel as a guide dog. They should be in a down position which encourages the puppy to relax in the car. If there is a front passenger, you can have the puppy lay between the person's legs. When this is not possible, the next place would be in the backseat in the footwell. Avoid having the puppy go on the seats as most taxis will not take a dog if it uses the seats. Finally, if there is a larger car that has a hatchback, you could have the dog travel in this space while in a crate. This will keep them safe when you are not able to watch them.
Car Safety
A puppy should NEVER be left alone in a car. This could potentially make the puppy uncomfortable, stressed or at risk of heat stroke or hypothermia.
Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heat stroke in just 15 minutes. As much as a car can heat up in summer temps, it can cool down to under freezing just as quickly in colder weather. Pets that do not normally spend a lot of time outside in the winter are more susceptible to the cold and the risk of hypothermia when left inside a cold vehicle. Cracking a window in warm weather or leaving the car running with air conditioning or heater on is not sufficient or safe.
Fortunately, future guide dogs are welcome in public places where pet dogs are not allowed, so there should never be a reason to leave the puppy unattended in a car. If you think there is a risk that you will not be able to take the puppy with you, then leave them at home where they are safe and comfortable.
Exiting Vehicles Safely
Often, when we reach our destination in a vehicle, the puppy is very excited and raring to get out. As soon as the vehicle stops and the door or hatch is opened, the puppy may try to leap out. If you are parked anywhere near moving traffic, this could result in a dangerous situation for the puppy and even yourself should you be in the path of a moving vehicle while you are trying to protect the puppy.
It is essential to maintain control over the puppy when opening the doors. Ideally, the puppy should have a leash attached prior to the door opening, so you have something to hold as soon as the door opens. If there is someone inside the car, they can remain in place holding the puppy while the door opens.
Other tips for keeping the puppy safe while exiting cars:
- Keep the puppy in a travel crate if possible.
- Install a dog guard with a gate in a hatchback, van or SUV.
- Open the door towards the sidewalk rather than traffic.
- Teach the puppy to “sit” and “wait” patiently while the door opens, and the leash is attached. When you are ready, call the puppy out of the car.
Public Transit
When travelling by public transit, try to sit in the handicap area. If that is not possible you can sit anywhere. The puppy will need to learn to tuck underneath you, between your legs. This is to protect them from other passengers and get them used to being in smaller areas.
When using transit or taxis, the puppy will need to be in vest, so they know they are working and on their best behaviour.