guide dogs
guide dogs
How are guide dogs taught?
Like other animals who are taught to look after thier owners, I think they are not only so inteligent, but beautiful in many ways.
The people who teach them must also be very skilled!
My Mum has a guide dog, so I’m quite well versed in the manner.
First of all, they’re bred from a stud dog and a b*tch dog who are selected by the guide dog organisation.
At around 6 weeks, the males will have their gonads cut off, and at around 8 weeks, they are given to a “puppy walker”
At around 6-8 months, they are then given to a handler, sometimes at a training centre, for the core part of the training, the handler is sighted.
After this, at around 21-24 months, they are matched with a suitable recipient, this is not always based on size and such, but also factors in the owners lifestyle, the area they live in, the speed they walk, the things they do, and so forth.
From this point on, for the first year, there are checks done every 6 weeks to make sure, everything is going on fine, from this point on, they are checked every year.
They are also trained to pee and dump at certain times, as well as when to eat, (this is done by a whistle, with 2 short bursts indicated to start eating, as well as to stop eating, should the owner so wish).
The dogs are kept on a dry food diet, and have weigh-in’s every 3 months, and have to be kept to a strict diet.
At around the age of 8-9 years, the dog may be retired, and the owner will have the choice of keeping it, if they choose to relinquish the dog, the original handler may get the 2nd choice.
Guide dogs are also assigned a letter to their breed, in the case of the litter to which Tony, the guide dog my mother recieved, they woul have names such as; Tango, Trixie, Twix, Tony, Trent, and so forth, all beginning with “T”.
If you wish to know any more information, I’d ask my Mum if she would like to commicate with you, my Aunt is also blind, and I’m sure she’d be willing to do the same, (her dog; Naylor; is from the “N” litter).
The duration of training for a guide dog is about 21 months, give or take a month, and will cost £3,000-£4,000, and throughout a guide dog’s life, the total cost will be between £30,000-£40,000.
Using a Guide Dog for Normal Life
Aging alone is hard on us all, yet being blind too does not make life easier. You have support however. Being blind makes it hard to be independent, feel safe and secure, which could lead into stress and depression. Even if you have blurred vision but can’t read, a guide dog might just be the answer for you or someone you know.
With the help of a guide dog, one could live independent and go about living a normal life. Imagine living in darkness. This is when a qualified Seeing Eye dog could give someone the healthy life they deserve by guiding them to the light of safety. The feeling of being safe and still be able to have a social life could make one safer and healthier knowing they have protection with them at all times. The giving of dignity and self-confidence that a guide dog can give a person is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened for the blind.
There are also hearing ear dogs trained to keep their masters safe and help them live a normal and healthy life. Hearing ear dogs are trained just like the Seeing Eye dogs to listen and watch for danger giving their master a safe environment. They too are to protect them and help give them a healthier and happy normal life.
A seeing eye dog and the hearing ear dogs have the life of 7-10 years and than is retired and can be replaced. These seeing and hearing guide dogs are trained to watch where the master is walking, to hear and see things that might harm them in some way. People even work regular jobs with their friend beside them guiding them through the everyday working tasks. Seeing and hearing dogs are trained to work not play at all times taking care of their master always watching and listening.
As we age, we need our exercise and socializing to keep us healthy. Being blind and not being able to hear are two very emotional things that can be very depressing especially if they were not born this way. If at one time a person could see or hear normally and all of a sudden diabetes or maybe even a stroke happens to cause them to lose their independence they are naturally going to feel lost and be afraid. A dog is man’s best friend and will give protection where and when it is needed.
When someone decides they might want to have a guide dog but are afraid it might not work out for them or can they trust each other enough to feel safe. The dogs and the new owners are trained together once the dog has learned their manners. The trainer will supervise during the training to teach the dog all your needs and the area so he can guide you through a large city street even. Don’t worry these dogs are trained to keep you healthy and happiness will help provide you with healthy aging?
Healthy aging means many things and one of them is the independence, dignity, safe feeling of protection at all times. What better way to aging if you can’t see or hear than to have a guide dog be your best friend?
If you can’t see or hear and thinking about getting you a guide dog do it soon. You will not forget the experience. Just think you’ll become more independent and will be able to stay alone to have your own personal life again. Keep safe with guide dogs, since being blind puts you at a deeper and higher risk in society.
About the Author
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