Dealing with Dog Distractions as a Guide Dog Handler - York The Guide Dog In Action 

Many years ago I think I saw a guide dog on a break. It stopped at a curb and looked both ways before stepping in the crossing. That is what a human would do. It made me feel good that such a thing would happen.

Wow, Steve, your local dogs are so well behaved. Great video, good boy York.

York is such a good boy! It infuriates me how many people let their dogs come up to working dogs. I am currently training 2 dogs to be service dogs, one dog is mine and another dog will be sent out to be a guide dog once we find the perfect match. I’m not blind but when I’m training the guide dog I pretend I can’t see to see what the dog would do during daily situations. I can’t tell you how many people let their dogs run up to him even though his guide handle has a big sign that says, “working, do not approach”. Thank you for making this video, it helps gets the message out there!

The amount of people who let their pets go up to Service Dogs/Guide dogs is extremely frustrating. Like pull your dog back please!!

I find it so frustrating when people let their dogs greet strangers' dogs without even asking permission, regardless of whether or not they're working dogs. It's just plain rude and frankly quite dangerous. My dogs are both reactive and one has a bite history with another dog (he escaped the house and ran to my grandma's like he always does, and someone was unfortunately walking their dog on my grandma's street at the time which resulted in my dog biting the other - no one was injured fortunately) - there's been a few times where strangers have tried to let their dog greet mine whilst we're out walking and I've had to shout that they're not friendly. If their dog were to come up to mine and get bitten, then it'd be entirely the other owner's fault. I've ordered a sleeve for their leads which reads 'REACTVE / IN TRAINING' - hopefully that gets the message across clear enough lol.

I'm blind to

I very much enjoyed your video and seeing how well you and your dog are negotiating the challenges of walking in your town. My wife is a 45+ year guide dog handler, and is grateful every day that she can partner with these amazing dogs in getting around in the world. We moved away from a town in New Jersey last year that had similar walking conditions as what you're showing. We moved to Arizona, and have less town walking but lots of neighborhood walks with many people here owning dogs - so still lots of distractions to work through. Today she came upon someone walking several dogs, and one was not leashed. Having that dog run right up was a startling moment since she was also near a busy road and worried that excitement would cause the other dog to be even less predictable, perhaps even running into the road. It was a good teaching opportunity for her to talk with the dog-walking lady. Good luck in your travels!

I'm a dog owner but I would never dream of letting my dog go over to a working dog especially while it is so obvious that they are working! York is doing a fantastic job!!

I’m so glad I watched this mate. Common sense told me not to approach a working dog, but I’m glad I know these things now. He is beautiful and you are great with him x

I really wish people would keep theor dogs beside them and not allow them to approach/ "say hello" to other dogs weather they are workimg or not. Even if he had not been in harness, he is a well behaved dogs lieing there. Keep your untrained things away

Steve, this was amazing! You totally inspired me today as a Raiser to go and sit with my guide in training in a specific location. For Yorkie to check back at you is the cutest. Thank you so much for amazing amazing video. I am going to share your video with our raisers. Thank you. Stay well from across the pond!🇺🇸

It’s crazy to me how people let their dogs walk right up to a strange dog. Working or not, that’s incredibly rude.

I love that everytime a dog walks past York looks at you

What a brilliant video. As here in the UK (England to be more precise) we are going back into full lockdown and I’m classed as vulnerable as I’m on immune suppressants so will be pretty much isolated from people in real life I’m going to listen to your calm voice when I’m feeling stressed. I’m not relishing this second lockdown as it will mean today will be my last sleepover with my grandson for a while (fingers crossed it won’t be as long as last time). What I loved as I held my phone four inches from my nose to see what I could was how York would check if you’d noticed he’d been a good boy. At one point as he laid his head back down I thought how patient he was since he wasn’t getting a treat. I’m so glad I found your videos

What a great guide dog - as a puppy raiser I, too, will work on finding a place to sit in town to work, even more, on dog distractions. We had good practice with trick or treaters last night, too! Thanks for your educational video!

When York was sitting under the bench, I am wondering if maybe people didn't notice his harness and thought he was just another pet dog.

Love it, Steve! You two are great team! And congrats to the well behaved dogs in your neighbourhood. Most of the dogs I meet around here want to take a bite out of my working dog.

Awesome puppers! He is so focused. You direct him fantastically. Loved the Doxie giving York some real pressure. It's really great how your wife was narrating what was going on around you. You two sound like a perfect couple.

Great videos Steve... York is a real hard worker. Makes me realise I need to give my 2 boys a job as well!

Really cool Steve, York dead a great job! I especially loved how every time a dog walk by, he would look back at you expectantly come out waiting for his treat!

Such an awesome team! Give York a treat from me😉

I love how York knows when he's done a good job and looks straight away for his reward.

Hey Steve. great video, as always. I watched this with my guide dog Spencer, and told him to pay note to York haha. As you know, we have been working on the dog distractions, and I am pleased to say, he is getting much better. He gives me the york look back when he knows he has passed a dog, and not got distracted - so cute aren't they. York is absolutely amazing, and the bond you two have is top notch. p.s, I made your biscuits ( twice now) sooooo good :-)

Hi! I just found your channel and love it! I’m legally blind since birth, actually blind since a decade (am 30 now) and I’m getting my first guide dog next month, so excited!!! Love from Sweden

I know SDs don’t have to have any vests on legally however is there a reason why you choose not to have something extra on him? (Obviously the guide harness is there put under a bench probably not easily identifiable)

what a awesome dog mate!!

York did a great job ignoring all the dogs. I also thought it was really good how he often look back at you when the dogs passed had a really good focus on you even as they were close by. How long have you two been a team? I am a new Guide Dog handler and also sometimes feel bad because when she ignores other dogs or distractions so well but I don’t know they’re there I don’t give her a treat since I don’t know she did but it means she did a great job because she didn’t get bothered with them

Hello from the Highlands of Scotland😊 Loving your videos, Steve. I also have retinitis pigmentosa and I’m a guide dog user. It’s so refreshing and encouraging to see your videos, demonstrating the use of a guide dog and explaining the distractions that come with it. Very educational and inspiring. You and York are a great example to follow! Thank you and all the best

Steve, your videos are amazing. Such great content on your channel. Labradors are just the best. So loyal and always looking for your approval.

Hi Steve, this was such an encouraging video and very educational. York does not seem to have any difficulties with dog distractions and the 19 Plus, dogs that you encountered were pretty much well behaved. I have now had Gretchen for just about three years and here Dog distraction urges get stronger and stronger. I am unable to see if there even is a dog in the vicinity, coming toward us or even across the street and I am not able to reward her when she has no reaction because I can’t see the potential distraction. She has developed an overprotective persona, probably because she is a shepherd but mini times she will seemingly instigate an encounter rather than avoid one. I resolve to negative reinforcement because extraordinary behavior is what I am able to detect. It is truly a conundrum. I have waited a bit before planning to contact a trainer at the Seeing Eye Institute because I know they are doing their best to get classes started again, with students on campus. Watching York does remind me of how Gretchen behaved during our training in New Jersey and for at least her first year or so back home with me. But this is not the case anymore. Your video was so refreshing to watch and your descriptions are excellent. Thank you for the exposure to what an outing can be like when your guy dog has excellent control over his urges to distract. Stay safe and healthy! Love, Beverly and Gretchen

Good dog!

Awe, he’s such a good boy and you’re such a great guide dog owner! I’d be on my best behavior as well and do my job at all times too if I got that many treats, LOL

What a great team! Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing!

Soooooo many dogs!!😱😱😱

Yorky is a good boy!!

He's making sure he gets his pay 😄