Guide dogs are the guiding eyes for people who are blind or visually impaired. Guide dogs are assistance dogs trained to lead blind and visually impaired people around obstacles. Although dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are red–green color blind and incapable of interpreting street signs.
Guide dogs go through specific service dog training to help people with visual impairment. These dogs bring a new sense of freedom and safety to their owners.
Want to know some interesting facts and guidelines about a Guide dog team when you approach, are in contact, or feeling the need to assist? (In general, many of these listed below can or do apply to any service dog team)
These are just some of the common tasks that a Diabetic service dog can provide to an individual at any given time to help give support to the handler of the service dog. Public interest in seizure assistance dogs has fueled demand for dogs with these skills.
Let us list those guidelines here:
• Please do not touch, talk, feed, or otherwise distract the dog while he is wearing his/her harness or vest. You should allow the dog to concentrate and perform for the safety of his/her handler.
• Don’t treat the dog as a pet; give him the respect of a working dog.
• Please don’t touch, talk, feed, or otherwise distract the dog while he is wearing his/her harness or vest. You should allow the dog to concentrate and perform for the safety of his/her handler.
• If the handler says no when you ask to pet the dog, don’t be offended. The dog (or handler) might be having a bad day, or he might be in a hurry. Remember, a service dog is as vital to a disabled person as a wheelchair or cane. You wouldn’t ask to pet their wheelchair or get mad if they wouldn’t let you pet their cane.
• You should not give the dog commands; allow the handler to do so.
• Guide and service dog teams have the right of way.
• Don’t try to take control in situations unfamiliar to the dog or handler, but please assist the handler upon their request.
• When walking with a guide or service dog team, you should not walk on the dog’s left side, as it may become distracted or confused. Ask the handler where you should walk. Depending on the situation, they may ask you to walk ahead of them on their right side, or behind them by their right shoulder. (A service dog is almost always walking on the left side of the handler)
• Never attempt to grab or steer the person while the dog is guiding or attempt to hold the dog’s harness. You should ask if the handler needs your assistance and, if so, offer your left arm.
• Never give the dog table scraps. You should respect the handler’s need to give the dog a balanced diet, and to maintain its good habits.
• Make sure not to allow your pets to challenge or intimidate a guide dog. You should allow them to meet on neutral ground when all parties can be carefully supervised.
• A guide and service dog should not jump on furniture or go in areas of a home not mutually agreed upon by the family or handler. You can ask the handler to correct any errant behavior or trespassing.
What are some of the tasks or behaviors that a Guide service dog may perform?
• Helping avoid obstacles and moving vehicles
• Signaling changes in elevation levels
• Locating persons or objects on command
• Retrieving and carrying objects
• Open and close doors, drawers, and cabinets
• Turn lights on and off
• Help people get dressed or undressed
• Assist persons to an upright position
• Prevent falls and provides stability
In closing: What these superhero canines can do for their owners is amazing and it is all achievable through the right training. This is why we use Certified Trainers that have years of experience with custom-training service dogs. Our trainers are deeply passionate about the efforts they make in their work of custom-training these dogs to mold them into amazing, custom-trained service dogs.
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