Dogs have been faithful companions of man for many centuries. They are not only pets, but also reliable defenders and assistants. Dogs are used, for example, to work in law enforcement agencies, help on hunting or guard the house. But one of the most responsible and popular professions of these animals is the work of a guide dog.
Guide dogs are used to help blind or visually impaired people. They become loyal and reliable companions for such people, giving them the opportunity to move freely outside the premises and dispense with the help of others.
Most often as guide dogs are used such breeds of dogs as labradors, German shepherds, rottweilers and collies. And the most popular are Labradors and German Shepherds.
This is due to the requirements that are imposed on the guide dog. Such a dog should have a calm, even and not aggressive character. In special schools guide dogs are taught not to react to all kinds of irritants (cats, other dogs etc.), not to be afraid of loud sounds, transport and people.
Guide dogs preparation
The training of the guide dog is very complicated, long and time-consuming. For the beginning puppies are selected, which in future can become conductors for people with visual disabilities. Since the age of two months, the pups are under observation, the cynologists study the reaction and behavior of the puppy in this or that situation. Then the selected pups undergo first a general training course, and at the age of ten months, training begins on a special program for the training of guide dogs.
Dogs are taught to navigate well in space, remember the routes that the host normally walks through. If the blind man is able to navigate the terrain, the main task of the guide dog is to timely warn the owner of the obstacle on the road, whether it is a ladder, curb, step, large puddle, etc. The dog then stops, allowing the invalid to study the obstacle with the help of a walking stick and continues his movement at his command.
If there is an obstacle ahead that blocks part of the road (billboard, tree branches, etc.), the guide dog, without stopping, simply helps the master to bypass the interference, leading him to the right side.
In the event that a blind person is poorly oriented on the terrain and can easily get lost, then the guide dog is taught to memorize the route customary for its owner and help him find the right road, the right door or shop, for example.
In addition to all this, the guide dog provides tremendous psychological help and support for a blind or visually impaired person. She allows him not to depend constantly from other people, gives self-confidence and in his abilities, is always with him, remaining not only a professional assistant, but also a loyal and sensitive friend.
The best guide dog will be that dog with which a blind person will find a common language with which they will understand each other and successfully cooperate. Yes, it is to cooperate, as it is necessary to understand that the guide dog can not fully
Therefore, the final stage in the training of guide dogs is training to work in tandem with a specific person. For this purpose the invalid comes to the school for guide dogs and a few weeks there. This is necessary to ensure that the dog and the owner are accustomed, accustomed and learned to understand each other. To do this, alongside them are the cynologists who help, prompt and make sure that both the dog and the person do not make mistakes.