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Guide dogs are trained to assist individuals with visual impairments by guiding them safely through obstacles and helping them navigate public spaces. These dogs are highly trained to respond to a variety of commands and signals, and are specifically bred and selected for their temperament, intelligence, and physical abilities. Guide dogs are typically trained to avoid obstacles, stop at curbs, and navigate stairs and other hazards. They are also trained to be aware of their surroundings and to respond to unexpected situations. Guide dogs are a valuable tool for individuals with visual impairments, providing them with greater independence and mobility.
Animal Facts
Training and Raising Guide Dogs
Puppy raisers play an important role in exposing future guide dogs to a variety of situations and environments to prepare them for advanced training.
Photo courtesy Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Guide dogs are trained to provide assistance to people with visual impairments. Before they become fully trained guide dogs, they go through a rigorous process which includes puppy raising, basic obedience training, and advanced training. Puppy raisers are volunteers who take care of the puppies from the time they leave their mother until they are ready for guide training. These puppy raisers expose the puppies to various situations and environments, and teach them obedience skills and socialization techniques.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is one of the organizations that train guide dogs. The organization screens potential puppy raisers through an application process and training program. The raisers are given a manual and video that provides them with all the necessary information needed to take care of the puppy. The raisers are responsible for teaching the puppies obedience skills, exposing them to different kinds of people and environments, and providing them with love and attention. They lay the groundwork for the extensive guide training that comes later.
One of the most important things that puppy raisers do is socialize the puppies. They expose them to loud noises, crowds, and tricky obstacles so that they become confident in any situation. Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy raising programs expose puppies to at least five new experiences a week. Puppy raisers also teach the puppies basic obedience skills such as sitting, lying down, and walking on a leash correctly. They use leash corrections and praise, and never use treat rewards as it is important that future guide dogs are not fixated on food.
Raising a future guide dog is emotionally challenging. After a year of raising the puppy, the raiser must bring the dog back to the training school so that it can go on to help a blind or visually impaired person. However, puppy raisers are rewarded by the satisfaction of contributing to the process and most end up raising many future guide dogs because of the happiness it brings them.
If you’re interested in raising a guide dog in the future, there are plenty of resources available to you. You can check the links at the end of this article or look in your local phone book for a guide dog school in your area. Guiding Eyes for the Blind has puppy training programs set up on the east coast of the United States. They have a comprehensive program that will teach you everything you need to know to start a guide dog off right. If you love dogs and have the time to care for a puppy, you can play a critical part in the guide dog training process.
Mary Cantando and her husband wanted to raise a future guide dog, and they went through a thorough screening process. At Guiding Eyes for the Blind, prospective raisers must complete an application process, attend meetings, and view training videos. Following the orientation, local volunteers visit the home for an interview. A few weeks later, they met Sonar, the yellow Lab who would be living with them for the next 18 months.
Using GEB’s training method, they had Sonar housebroken in one day. The process is to take the puppy to the same outdoor place once every hour or so. When he finally goes, they say in a very positive voice, “Sonar, get busy” and then praise and pet him profusely. They did this a few times and then, when they took him out, they said, “Sonar, get busy,” and he did, right away! Now he will only go on command.
Guide dogs are trained to go through doors differently than other dogs. Before opening the door, they give the commands “Sonar, sit,” and “Sonar, stay.” Then they open the door and say, “Sonar, let’s go.” Once they’re outside the door, they tell Sonar to sit and stay again. After closing the door, they say “Sonar, let’s go.” This lets the handler know exactly where the dog is and what it’s doing while he locks or unlocks his door.
The puppies are evaluated every three months. At Sonar’s eight-month evaluation, he received a special coat that says “Guide Dog in Pre-Training.” Since receiving his coat, Sonar has been coming with them all over town. He comes with them into the grocery store, and as they go over to check out the bananas, he sits on the floor next to their feet. They say, “Sonar, let’s go,” and he immediately gets up and comes with them to the back of the store to get coffee beans. He especially likes the checkout counter, as folks tend to make a fuss over him there. They try to politely remind people that no one should touch a guide dog without first asking the owner’s permission. This is a hard lesson for children to learn, but it’s very important, as a guide dog should not be distracted while working.
When we tell people that we are raising Sonar to become a guide dog, they often ask us how we will be able to give him up. However, I see it as a similar process to raising children who eventually move on to live their own lives. Saying goodbye to Sonar will be difficult, but he is meant to do great things and will make a significant impact as a valuable partner for someone in need.
FAQ
1. What are guide dogs?
Guide dogs are specially trained dogs that assist people with visual impairments to navigate their environment safely. They are not pets, but rather working animals that are trained to obey commands and lead their handlers around obstacles and hazards.
2. How are guide dogs trained?
Guide dogs are trained by professional trainers who use positive reinforcement techniques to teach the dogs a variety of commands and skills. The training process can take up to two years, during which the dogs learn how to navigate different environments, avoid obstacles, and respond to their handler’s commands.
3. What breeds of dogs make good guide dogs?
There are several breeds of dogs that are commonly used as guide dogs, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. These breeds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and gentle nature, which make them well-suited for this important work.
4. How do guide dogs communicate with their handlers?
Guide dogs communicate with their handlers through a series of commands and signals. For example, the dog may stop at an intersection to indicate that the handler should stop walking, or the dog may nudge the handler’s hand to indicate that they should turn left or right.
5. What are some common misconceptions about guide dogs?
One common misconception about guide dogs is that they are always “on duty” and cannot be petted or played with. While it’s true that guide dogs are trained to focus on their work when they are wearing their harness, they are also regular dogs who enjoy playing and socializing when they are off duty.
6. How can I support organizations that train and provide guide dogs?
There are several organizations that provide guide dogs to people with visual impairments, including The Seeing Eye and Guide Dogs for the Blind. You can support these organizations by making a donation, volunteering your time, or spreading awareness about the important work that guide dogs do.
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