Back to School

Back at school, the young dogs learn the skills needed to guide a blind or partially-sighted person.
They learn:

• To walk in a straight line in the centre of the pavement unless there is an obstacle; 
• Not to turn corners unless told to do so; 
• To stop at kerbs and wait for the command to cross the road, or to turn left or right; 
• To judge height and width so that its owner does not bump their head or shoulder; 
• How to deal with traffic.

The training is rigorous - it has to be - and not all the young dogs make the grade.
For the majority that do the introduction to their new owner marks the start of a partnership that will last around seven years.
Half of the dogs now being trained will go to replace dogs that have retired.

Matching the correct dog with the correct owner takes skill and experience.
The owner's length of stride, height and lifestyle all contribute to the type of guide dog they will be matched with.
The couple spends up to four weeks of intensive training together until they qualify together.