If you’re looking to learn a little more about guide dogs then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re doing a little bit of research for a friend or you’re looking for yourself, knowing exactly what a guide dog does is important to those that either have or live with someone with a visual impairment.
What Is A Guide Dog?
To put it simply, a guide dog is a dog that has been trained to lead a blind or partially sighted person. As a live-in aid for those that need assistance, guide dogs quickly become a lifeline to those that need support.
Why Might You Need A Guide Dog?
A common misconception is that guide dogs are only for those that have fully lost their vision, but that is not the case. Anyone who has a visual impairment can work with a guide dog, especially if they feel they will benefit from assistance getting around in their day to life.
Guide Dog Training: Who Trains Guide Dogs?
Before a guide dog can work with a visually impaired person, they must go through a lot of training. Usually, this is done with organisations similar to Guide Dogs UK, but it can also happen through private one-on-one training too.
Before their training can officially begin, they go through a puppy profiling assessment, which determines whether or not they’re able to move onto the next stage. From there, they begin an intense cycle of training (with lots of love, of course) before they’re finally paired with someone to work with.
FAQs About Guide Dogs For The Blind
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to guide dogs for the blind.
Can Blind Dogs Read?
No, guide dogs are not trained to read, although it may appear that way when they’re guiding their owner around. They are trained, however, to follow the commands of their owner, who will have an idea of where it is, they want to go.
Who Picks Up Guide Dog Poo?
This is a common question when it comes to guide dogs for the blind and the simplest answer is anyone can pick it up. If the owner is with the guide dog alone, they have a trained way to know where the dog poo will be located. To do this, they simply run their hands along the backs of the dog’s legs, where they will be positioned to show exactly where they need to clean.
Are Guide Dogs Always Working?
Although it may seem as though guide dogs are always working, this is not the case. Any time that they are not wearing their harness, they are technically not working. Guide dogs provide a lot of comfort for their owners and other than work, they will have a great personal and playful relationship.
Final thoughts
To summarise, guide dogs are an incredible lifeline for those that have lost their sight and we all really need to support them.
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