Guide Dogs Are Skillful And Well Mannered

They sit quietly and patiently under the table in the restaurant while conversation and dining go on above them. They glide along in the department store or mall, unaffected by all the sights, sounds, and scents. If you were to approach a service dog to pet them or bestow some other form of affection, you might be warned that they are 'working' and that they should not be touched.

Man's best friend turns out to be a hero for many visually impaired, deaf, and disabled persons who desire a more mobile, fulfilled life. Seeing eye dogs, service dogs, and other trained canines put in many hours of training to earn the responsibility of assisting their human friends. These good natured creatures don't seem to mind. In fact, training is so rigorous that dogs who do not excel and enjoy the training are quickly retired from the program. Only the smartest, well behaved, and eager make it through the meticulous preparation.

Several different breeds are used for this work such as yellow, black, and chocolate Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. Other breeds have been known to work well as guide dogs such as Boxers, Border Collies, Huskies, Doberman Pinchers, Australian Shepherds, Dalmatians, and even Standard Poodles.

Most of these dogs are slated for training when they are a puppy. They are placed in a family where they are taught basic obedience until they are ready to attend an accredited school, around eighteen months of age. Some trainers take their puppies along with them to dog shows in order to acclimate them to being around other dogs and lots of commotion. They are trained to be calm and well mannered no matter where they are or what the situation is. Puppies are usually placed in homes with children. Many 4H groups work with these young dogs as well. It has been proven that puppies who have been trained by children are more successful in the guide dog program.

One non-profit, NEADS, uses minimum security inmates to train the dogs in basic obedience and dog service tasks, before they attend their formal guide dog training. This program is a great rehabilitation tool for the incarcerated. The dogs get to go home each weekend, to experience a household setting. Once the dog graduates from this phase of the training, the dog moves on to its formal service dog training. After this training is completed, NEADS dogs are then placed with a deaf or disabled person. This partnership is called a team. The team goes on for more one on one training to insure the dog and human partner are a good fit. This weekend, NEADS is holding its Spring Commencement Ceremony to celebrate the latest team graduation class.

Guide dog is the general term for dogs trained to assist humans. Seeing-eye-dog is the term used for dogs assisting visually impaired persons. Service dog is a term used for dogs assisting deaf or disabled persons. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), guide dogs are permitted any public place people are allowed to go. This includes stores, restaurants, public transportation, and office buildings. Guide dog are have impeccable manners and while on duty are not to be touched or approached by other dogs. Always ask if you or you dog may approach a guide dog. Stiff fines are in place for obstructing a working guide dog. Loss of a guide, due to injury from a dog attack can be devastating to the dog's human partner financially and emotionally, including the effects from a loss of independence.

There are about fifteen accredited guide dog training programs in the United States. Most are non-profits. Most organizations allow for monetary donations as well as for more involved contributions such as puppy raising, dog training, public speaking, and being a community outreach representative for the program in your area.

Guide Dogs for the Blind has a Colorado chapter offering the opportunity to raise a guide dog puppy in your home.

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