How to Train Guide Dogs in the UK

Guide dogs are specially trained as service dogs in order to be of assistance to blind people. Labradors are the breed that is generally used. In the United Kingdom it is organizations such as Guide Dogs that breed, raise and train the animals for the job. Volunteers can aid the training of guide dogs by taking on the role of puppy walker, boarder, dog exerciser, or training support worker. Jobs that involve the critical hands-on training of guide dogs can be applied for at the Guide Dogs website, Guidedogs.org.uk, although this is a role that requires particular expertise in dog handling and training.

Things You'll Need

Specialized guide dog harness

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the puppy for its training in its first year by socializing it and exposing it to a variety of different people, places, environments, toys, animals and transport. Begin training when the puppy reaches six weeks old by walking him with a harness and teaching him simple commands such as "sit", "come", "wait" and "forward" using a reward-based training regime. The name given to the role of raising a guide dog puppy for its first year is the puppy walker. Volunteers can apply for this position at Guidedogs.org.uk
- 2
  Transfer the dog to a training center when it reaches one year of age. Here it will receive a course of reward-based training that will aim to build on its capabilities as a guide dog. It will be taught to lead a person while responding to the environment such as stopping to check for cars before crossing the road. The dog will be tested by a member of staff wearing a blindfold to track its progress.
- 3
  Move the dog on to the final stage of training. The advanced level training involves a person of limited sight assisting the mobility instructor in the training process. The dog now guides the blind person around busy areas under the supervision of the instructor until they are satisfied that the dog is ready to qualify as a service dog for the blind.