[nagdu] walking guide dogs?

[GARY STEEVES]

Hi all:

This lack of speed thread has produced this interesting question for me to ask. I'm curious how many of you walk your dog on leash daily? I know when I was talking to my school about working on heeling Bogart while just on leash they were wondering why would I need to do that.

I take Bogart out for a walk in the morning on leash. If I'm heading to work then it is just half a block where he knows how much time he has to get busy or harness is on and we're on our way. At night I take him for a walk again before going to bed. These aren't long walks, about 15 - 20 minutes weather dependent. I use my cane for walking him. This is where he is allowed to be a sniffy dog but when he is in harness I do not allow him to be sniffy. At lunch at work we go in harness a block from here to the residential street where I take off his harness and we walk a block one direction and then back with him on leash. Then back in harness and off to lunch. After work it's all in harness until the block of my place and then harness off so he can sniff and relieve himself.

No judgements about right or wrong but I'm curious if others take their guide dogs for walks without the harness.

Cheers
Gary