Underfootings

Guide dogs need to be able to do their job in all kinds of environments and that includes being comfortable on different kinds of underfootings. By underfootings I mean anything that they might step on during an average day. Metal grates, wooden decking, rubber mats, astroturf mats, plastic sheeting, slick tile. You should be exposing your pup to all types of underfootings, but allow me to emphasize a few of them.

Wet grass and puddles: Occasionally we get dogs who do not like to get their feet wet. This comes back to haunt a guide dog user in a couple of ways. One, the dog won't want to go on to a wet relief area. Two, it's very common here in Florida for puddles to form at curbs after a downpour. Now, you might think that a blind handler would appreciate a dog that doesn't just plow through puddles. True enough. But sometimes the only safe route is through the puddle. A dog that doesn't want to walk through the puddle will often try to leap over it. This is very dangerous, especially at curbs.

Moving surfaces: By this I mean anything that moves slightly as you walk on it, like an uneven board or a floating dock. Ramps are another good example because they often vibrate slightly as you walk on them.

Striped tile. This is somewhat uncommon, but we have had dogs who refuse to walk over a large dark stripe in the tile at the local mall. Perhaps it looks like a big ditch to the dog. The point here is that underfootings can be a visual issue, also.

So what can you do with your pup? Start from Day One exposing him to various surfaces. Put down plastic tarps, the metal grates from an old grill or crate, cardboard, floor mats - anything different than grass and concrete. Get a small wading pool and put an inch or two of water in it and let the pup walk around. As always, don't force or correct a dog onto an underfooting. But if you start doing this when they're babies, you can just gently place them on the surface and then give them lots of praise. Make it a fun place to be. When you are out and about with them on a rainy day, plan to get your feet wet. Walk through puddles and wet grass. Again, lots of praise when the dog complies.

Being comfortable on a variety of surfaces is important for a guide dog and this is best accomplished when the dog is young. Please remember to include underfootings on your outings.

Career Change Dogs

As much as we would like to make every puppy into a guide dog, that’s just not possible. As we’ve discussed before, there are sometimes medical, behavioral or temperament reasons why a dog can’t become a guide dog. When that happens, the dog is career changed. But that’s not the end of the story. Once a dog is career changed, there is a set process that determines where the dog ends up.

The dog is first evaluated for work as a Therapy dog. These dogs live with able-bodied handlers who take them into facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices or schools. These handlers can either be volunteers or paid personnel on staff at a facility. The dog can also be considered as a Personal Therapy dog. These dogs live with someone who has a specific disability. In either case, the dog must pass certain criteria to be placed as a Therapy dog. Once the dog has been certified as a Therapy dog, he receives a Southeastern Guide Dogs Gifted K9 jacket and is placed with a handler. (Our Gifted K9 Therapy dogs do not qualify as service dogs under ADA guidelines and therefore are not guaranteed access to public buildings.)

If the dog is deemed unsuitable for therapy work, he is evaluated for law enforcement work. This is most commonly arson or drug detection. If the dog is chosen for this program he lives with his law enforcement handler.

If it is determined that the dog is not suitable for either therapy or law enforcement work, the dog is offered to the puppy raiser. If the puppy raiser decides not to adopt, the dog is made available for public adoption. If the dog can’t be placed with an appropriate family in a timely fashion, the dog is available for adoption by Southeastern staff.

One thing to note about this process is that puppy raisers are eligible to be Therapy dog handlers. If you are interested in using your career changed dog as a Therapy dog, you must submit a Gifted K9 application prior to your dog coming IFT. Then, be sure to include the fact that you are interested on your final evaluation.

If you are interested in the Gifted Canine application, please contact Rita Princivalli.