Have you ever watched the unique interaction between a visually impaired person walking with their guide dog? It is a really unique relationship that these canine and humans share. Not only do they assist their owner with daily living, but they also are a loving and trusted companion.
How Dogs Assist The Visually Impaired
Did you know that the owner communicates with the dog through specific commands. While our common domesticated obedient dog might learn “come here”, “sit” and “stay” for example, a guide dog learns “forward”, “stop”, and “go”.
A misconception about guide dogs is that they are leading the person who is visually impaired. They are not leading. They are guiding. The person relies on the dog to avoid objects and to indicate curves, and crossroads, etc.
Who Gets a Guide Dog?
Often people think that all visually impaired people should use guide dogs. However, having a guide dog is also having a pet. It requires that the visually impaired person care for the dog as their pet. Feed the animal, play with him or her, groom him or her and even take the dog to veterinarian appointments when necessary. Contrary to popular belief, some visually impaired people prefer the low maintenance of a cane. In some cases, guide dog’s care is provided free of cost to the owner and dog for the life of the guide dog.
Not Any Dog Can Be A Guide Dog
Guide dogs for the visually impaired are speciality trained. They are usually Labradors or Golden Retrievers because of their docile demeanour and train-ability. They start training right after they are born, sometimes as early as 3 days old. Many other breeds are too high-strung or high energy to be trained for this very specific skill set. Or too easily distractable. Guide dogs learn to tune out the noise and business in all environments. They are trained in “intelligent obedience” which is very advanced skill, where the dog learns to overrule the handler if the handler’s decision is unsafe.
Guide dogs will not act aggressively to defend their handlers. They are trained to be a social bridge and help their handler function in society when visual senses are diminished, leaving the handler vulnerable.
Why We Are Always Told Not To Pat Service Dogs
Offering to pet a guide dog while he or she is working, throws off the dog’s concentration. Ask the handler if it is okay, but if you can resist the urge, all the better. A guide dog, in full harness is in work-mode. He or she has a job to do and they are proud of it. They work hard for a few hours a day. Getting their owner safety around the neighbour. When the harness is removed they are “off work”, and can play, or settle down for a nap.
Conclusion
Guide dog’s are very important to people’s lives. They assist in connecting people to their community who may otherwise be more isolated. They develop a loving relationship with their owners just like other domesticated family dogs, only these dogs also share a unique working relationship with their owners. Guide dog’s show affection just like pet dogs do.
Now you might be thinking, “how well does my dog see?”
Did you know that since the COVID pandemic, not everyone can get a dog who qualifies for one?! That’s because there is not enough dogs trained to the level that is required.