Dogs can make a good house pet as they provide security and companionship to their owners. But some breeds of dog can go beyond that role. Aside from the common guard dogs, some dogs can be trained to help in police investigations while others can be trained to become guide dogs. Guide dogs, also known as seeing-eye dogs, are dogs that are trained to assist and lead visually impaired and blind people around obstacles. With proper training, guide dogs can be capable of assisting visually impaired people navigate through various obstacles. But not all dogs can be trained to be guide dogs. Dog breeds that can make great guide dogs are German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers. These are the most common guide dogs of today because of their work ethic and intelligence. Also, these dogs are known for their strong instincts of assisting their owners.
Other breeds that are also capable of doing the job, though not common these days, are the Papillons, Rottweilers, Collies, Dobermans, Terriers, Vizslas, Poodles, Boxers, Border Collies, Airedale Terriers, Australian Shepherds and Yorkshire.
Training a dog to become a guide dog takes between two to five years. Such training includes service training and basic obedience. The dog is taught how to turn left or right and to move forward on command. Commands that are more advanced include leading the blind person around overhangs, retrieving objects that are dropped, stopping before crossing the street and overcoming other obstacles safely. The dog is also taught to guard only the handler. Only after a successful training can the dog be paired with a visually impaired or blind person.
If you don't have a dog, you can try visiting organizations that train dogs to guide blind people. Some organizations usually offer their services at a cheaper rate since they accept voluntary work from passionate people who are interested to donate their talents and time to these organizations. Such voluntary work includes helping raise the puppies and welcoming dogs into their homes.
Some states don't require guide dogs to be certified. Dogs that are certified means they have undergone advance trainings and have completed a course that is approved by the state. These dogs are capable of guiding a blind person to different places, such as hotels, restaurants, airports, malls, and other public places. Some states don't allow blind people to roam around the city with an uncertified guide dog. So to eliminate this hassle, it is better off to choose certified guide dogs. It is not only the dogs that should be trained, but also their owners. Blind people must learn how to handle their dog every time they walk outdoors. They must also learn other important things such as how to take good care of their dogs despite their disability. It is therefore advisable for these people to attend a training school and take competency exams.
So if you need to take a guide dog with you every time you go out, it is best to know the rules and regulations of your state. There are some states that deny access to animals in public places, such as restaurants. So it is better to be oriented with the laws of your state.
Other breeds that are also capable of doing the job, though not common these days, are the Papillons, Rottweilers, Collies, Dobermans, Terriers, Vizslas, Poodles, Boxers, Border Collies, Airedale Terriers, Australian Shepherds and Yorkshire.
Training a dog to become a guide dog takes between two to five years. Such training includes service training and basic obedience. The dog is taught how to turn left or right and to move forward on command. Commands that are more advanced include leading the blind person around overhangs, retrieving objects that are dropped, stopping before crossing the street and overcoming other obstacles safely. The dog is also taught to guard only the handler. Only after a successful training can the dog be paired with a visually impaired or blind person.
If you don't have a dog, you can try visiting organizations that train dogs to guide blind people. Some organizations usually offer their services at a cheaper rate since they accept voluntary work from passionate people who are interested to donate their talents and time to these organizations. Such voluntary work includes helping raise the puppies and welcoming dogs into their homes.
Some states don't require guide dogs to be certified. Dogs that are certified means they have undergone advance trainings and have completed a course that is approved by the state. These dogs are capable of guiding a blind person to different places, such as hotels, restaurants, airports, malls, and other public places. Some states don't allow blind people to roam around the city with an uncertified guide dog. So to eliminate this hassle, it is better off to choose certified guide dogs. It is not only the dogs that should be trained, but also their owners. Blind people must learn how to handle their dog every time they walk outdoors. They must also learn other important things such as how to take good care of their dogs despite their disability. It is therefore advisable for these people to attend a training school and take competency exams.
So if you need to take a guide dog with you every time you go out, it is best to know the rules and regulations of your state. There are some states that deny access to animals in public places, such as restaurants. So it is better to be oriented with the laws of your state.
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