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Guide dogs, also known as seeing-eye dogs, are trained to help people with vision impairments navigate their surroundings safely. These dogs are specifically trained to follow commands and navigate obstacles, including traffic, curbs, stairs, and other potential hazards. They use their sense of smell and hearing to detect potential danger and communicate with their handler through physical cues and gestures. Guide dogs are typically chosen based on their temperament, size, and ability to follow commands. They undergo rigorous training from a young age and are paired with a handler based on their specific needs and lifestyle. These dogs provide an invaluable service to their handlers and greatly improve their quality of life.
Animal Facts
Roles of Guide Dogs
Guide dogs are essential companions for people who are blind or have vision problems, helping them to move around safely and independently. They are permitted to enter any public place, enabling their handlers to access various locations with ease. A guide dog is trained to:
- Follow a direct path, ignoring distractions like smells, animals, and people
- Maintain a consistent pace, walking to the left and staying ahead of the handler
- Stop at curbs and wait for further instructions
- Turn left or right and stop on cue
- Identify and avoid obstacles that may be too narrow or low for the handler to pass
- Stop at the top and bottom of stairs and wait until allowed to proceed
- Guide the handler to elevator buttons
- Lie quietly when the handler is seated
- Assist the handler in boarding and traveling on public transportation like buses and trains
- Obey verbal commands
Moreover, guide dogs must also learn to disobey commands that could put their handlers in harm’s way. This remarkable skill, known as selective disobedience, is a crucial aspect of guide dogs’ training and allows them to balance obedience with their own judgment.
This skill is particularly important when crossing the road. When the handler and dog approach the curb, the dog stops, indicating to the handler that they have reached a crosswalk. Since dogs cannot differentiate between traffic lights, it is the handler’s responsibility to determine when it is safe to cross. The handler listens for traffic and commands the dog to move forward only when it is safe to do so.
In a handler-guide dog team, the dog does not lead the handler, nor does the handler completely control the dog. They work together to reach their destination. The dog follows the handler’s instructions on how far to go and when to turn, while the handler relies on the dog’s ability to navigate obstacles. Each half of the team depends on the other to achieve their goals.
With time and experience, a guide dog may become even more adept at its job. Some veteran guide dogs can recognize their handler’s regular destinations. All the handler needs to say is “go to the office” or “find the coffee shop,” and the dog will follow the familiar route!
Special Thanks
We would like to express our gratitude to Jane Russenberger, Louise Schofield, and Lee Nordin from Guiding Eyes for the Blind for their valuable assistance with this article. We also thank Mary Cantando for sharing her experiences of raising Sonar, a future guide dog in the Guiding Eyes puppy-raising program.
Frequently Asked Questions about Guide Dogs
Is it okay to touch a guide dog?
It is generally advised to avoid touching a guide dog, as it may distract the dog from its job of helping its handler navigate. Interacting with the dog can break its concentration, making it difficult for the handler to move around safely.
What breeds of dogs are commonly used as guide dogs?
Guide dogs are commonly golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, or German shepherds.
Do blind people have to pay for guide dogs?
Guide dog organizations usually provide guide dogs to visually impaired individuals at no cost.
Why are golden retrievers often used as guide dogs?
Golden retrievers are known for their intelligence, obedience, stamina, and friendly nature, which makes them ideal for the job of guiding.
How are guide dogs selected?
Guide dog schools carefully breed their dogs, selecting parents with strong guiding abilities and intelligence. Trainers then assess young puppies for their aptitude for guiding, and about 20% are released from the program.
Originally published on December 7, 2012.
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More Resources on Guide Dogs
Guide Dog Information
- The Puppy Place
- GDF Grads
- The Delta Society
- Service Dogs FAQ
- International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
Guide Dog Training Schools
- Guiding Eyes for the Blind
- The Guide Dog Foundation
- Guide Dogs of the Desert International
- Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Eye Dog Foundation
- Guide Dogs of America
- Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
- Leader Dogs for the Blind
- Pilot Dogs Inc.
- The Seeing Eye
FAQ
1. What are guide dogs and what do they do?
Guide dogs, also known as seeing eye dogs, are specially trained dogs that assist people with visual impairments or blindness. They act as a set of eyes for their owners, helping them navigate through their daily lives with increased independence and safety. Guide dogs are trained to stop at curbs, avoid obstacles, and follow directional commands given by their owners through voice and hand signals.
2. How do guide dogs get trained?
Guide dogs undergo extensive training from the time they are puppies until they are ready to be paired with a visually impaired owner. The training process typically takes 18-24 months and includes socialization, obedience training, and specialized guide work training. Only dogs that demonstrate a calm temperament, desire to work, and excellent health are considered for guide dog training.
3. What breeds of dogs are commonly used as guide dogs?
The most commonly used breeds of dogs for guide dog work are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. These breeds are known for their intelligence, trainability, and friendly dispositions. However, other breeds and mixed breeds can also be trained as guide dogs.
4. How are guide dogs matched with their owners?
Guide dogs are matched with visually impaired individuals based on the individual’s lifestyle, temperament, and mobility needs. Before being paired with a guide dog, the individual will undergo an evaluation to determine their needs and abilities. The guide dog training organization will then match the individual with a dog that is best suited to their needs and personality.
5. What is the lifespan of a guide dog?
The lifespan of a guide dog is typically 8-10 years. After their retirement, guide dogs often stay with their owners as pets or are adopted by another family. Some guide dog training organizations also offer retirement homes for their retired guide dogs.
6. What should I do if I encounter a guide dog and its owner?
If you encounter a guide dog and its owner, it is important to remember that the dog is working and should not be distracted. Do not pet or interact with the dog without the owner’s permission. It is also important to give the owner and their guide dog plenty of space to navigate safely.
7. Can guide dogs travel on airplanes?
Yes, guide dogs are allowed to travel on airplanes with their visually impaired owners. Airlines are required to allow guide dogs to accompany their owners in the cabin at no extra charge, as long as the dog is properly trained and has the necessary paperwork. It is important to check with the airline beforehand to ensure that all necessary arrangements have been made.
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