No dog is born to lead the visually impaired. To train a dog to be a guide dog, there is a very strict training process! In addition, do you know what things need to be observed when we encounter guide dogs at work? How are guide dogs trained?
Guide dogs are relatively easy for us to get in touch with Working dogs, they appear in our daily lives and serve as navigators for our visually impaired friends. Wearing a guide saddle and an identification card are their marks. The dog in training will wear a vest. After the instructor and the visually impaired friend complete 1 to 2 months of joint training, they will become a part of the visually impaired friend's life. good accompany. There are many dog breeds that can be trained as guide dogs, but Labradors are the most common breed of guide dogs because of their gentle personality, calmness, and high obedience; and lively and friendly golden retrievers, as well as hybrids of the two Golden Labradors are also a good choice.
[Puppy birth period: 0 to 2 months]
Guide-eye puppies are born and are nurtured by the dog mother. Through the dog mother and brothers The sisters get along and play together, learn the correct way to interact with other dogs, and allow the puppies to naturally accept the presence of humans in their lives.
[Foster home period: 2 months to 1 year old]
When puppies are 2 months old, they will leave their mother and enter a foster home. in life. The purpose is to familiarize the puppies with the human living environment and build trust in humans; and to carry out home living habits and socialization training so that the puppies can adapt to various environments so that when they grow up, they can guide the visually impaired stably and confidently. friend.
1. Home living habits training includes obeying basic instructions and establishing daily routines, such as: no defecation in the open, no begging/stealing food, no getting on the furniture, and no barking wait.
2. Socialization training. Accompanied by foster families, puppies will go to various public places (restaurants, hotels, banks, art galleries, etc.) and take public transportation (MRT, buses, etc.) trains, ferries, high-speed rail, airplanes, etc.).
[Professional training period: 1 to 2 years old]
When the puppies are 1 year old, they will enter the training center for professional training.
< p>It is mainly divided into the following three stages:1. Beginner walking in a straight line, stopping at intersections, going up and down stairs, etc.
2. Intermediate level avoid obstacles, find fixed points, take public transportation, etc.
3. HighJudging road conditions, blindfolding the trainer's test, etc.; after passing the test, you will become a qualified guide dog.
Working period: 2 years old to 8 years old
A qualified guide dog is paired with the applicant, and the instructor conducts joint training to cultivate the dog's Have a tacit understanding of the visually impaired and be familiar with the road conditions, buildings and work routes near the visually impaired's homes; obey the instructions of the visually impaired and successfully lead the visually impaired to their destination. After completing the training, they will officially become a qualified guide who can be on duty. Blind dog. When a guide dog is on official duty, the instructor will visit the user regularly to understand the interaction between the guide dog and the visually impaired person. If there are any adjustments that need to be made, the instructor will also provide more guidance.
Retirement period: after 8 to 10 years old
The instructor will evaluate guide dogs who are unwell or too old. If the guide dog If it is no longer suitable to continue working, we will find a suitable adoptive family for it and let the dog rest in peace for the rest of its life. They really are not easy! Hopefully we can take care of them until the end of their lives.
When we When encountering a guide dog wearing a guide saddle or a red or blue training vest in a public place, everyone needs to cooperate and abide by these precautions:
Do not intentionally make any noise without calling. The sound attracts the attention of the guide dog and prevents the guide dog from being distracted and causing danger to the visually impaired.
Do not attract or feed guide dogs with any food without feeding them, which may cause distraction during training or work.
Do not play with or pet the guide dog without petting it, otherwise it will interfere with the guide dog’s training or work.
Do not refuse. According to Article 60 of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Persons with Disabilities, guide dogs (puppies) can freely enter and exit public places and take public transportation.
Ask proactively. If you meet a visually impaired friend, regardless of whether you have a guide dog with you or not, please proactively inquire and provide timely assistance.
Although guide dogs are really cute, guide dogs at work are the eyes of visually impaired friends. We remind everyone not to interfere with their work and do not touch them. It can be dangerous to distract them by playing with them, greeting them, or even feeding them.