Chapter 39: Working a Dog Guide at Night

For many dog guide handlers working their dog at night can be a different experience than working in day light. Dog guide handlers have a wide variation of vision loss from not being able to detect any shapes or light (total) to seeing through a small amount of central or peripheral field. Both street lights and lights reflecting off vehicles can disrupt the remaining vision that an individual is utilizing during the day light hours. This can greatly affect how the handler and dog communicate and work together.

In contrast dog’s night vision is very good. Dogs are considered to possess what is referred to as rod rich eyes. Rods are responsible for collecting light. Due to this reason dogs are able to see quite well in dim or dark conditions. Many of us have observed a dog’s eyes light up when the light from a vehicle reflects off of them. The reflective film helps to distribute all of the available light back through the retina. The eye is utilizing all the available light even in low light conditions.

For dog guide handlers that have remaining vision it becomes very important for them to learn night travel with their dogs. Some handlers may opt. not to work their dogs at night while others may want to or not have a choice due to work etc. Listed below are some of the commonly observed issues associated with adjusting to the change in light.

  • The handler will hold back in the handle more then they normally would
  • The handler may pull the dog towards what they can see
  • The street and car lights may distort their light perception or visual field causing the handler to lose orientation
  • The handler may not trust the dog fully during night conditions
  • The handler may walk slower then what is typical for them
  • The handler may show a lack of confidence where as during the day they are confident, capable travelers

Some of the dogs may be stronger then usual at first. The night can have different sounds and smells. In addition if the student is having any of the above issues this may influence the dogs normal pace and pull. Many of the students find the experience of working at night to be very beneficial. For some it may have been the first time that they fully trusted the dog and followed it laterally unconditionally.

Another important aspect of working at night is to consider the effect low light has on a driver’s ability to see a guide dog team. The guide dog harness has reflective tape on the handle and body, however if you must work your dog after dark it is highly recommended that you use additional lighting and or reflective clothing to make yourself and your dog more as visible as possible to others. There are several things you can do to improve your visibility including wearing light and bright colored clothing. Use of battery operated bike flashers, bright and reflective exercise clothing, a hand held battery or commercially available illuminated dog collar or harness are all items that can improve your visibility as a team and increase your overall safety when traveling at night.

Part of the above information that was referenced came from: