The guide dog is a little dog capable of improving the lives of visually impaired people. Perhaps you have seen a blind guide dog on the street or on television and wondered: how is it possible that an animal is so intelligent as to help someone to dodge cars and potholes, to cross the street and even to climb stairs? It seems to be very difficult, but the truth is that, just like anyservice dog, the blind dog undergoes intense preparation from puppyhood. Although many people have heard of it - there is even an international guide dog day! - there are many questions about this dog: how is its training done? How can a visually impaired person apply for a guide dog? Can any breed become a guide? And how much does a guide dog cost? ThePatas da Casa explains everything about guide dogs so you don't have any more doubts. check it out!

What is a guide dog?

The guide dog is a trained dog that helps to assist people with visual impairment. Guide dogs play a fundamental role in guiding people with little or no vision to get around. On the street, it helps the guardian to avoid obstacles and cross the street, for example. The blind dog also helps the owner to perform simple daily activities with greater autonomy, such as getting up from the street.In other words, the guide dog for the blind goes beyond just guiding and assisting the guardian: it ensures that the visually impaired person has greater independence, improving their quality of life and even increasing their self-esteem.

The blind man's dog needs to be docile, safe and intelligent

Personality is the most important factor to be considered when "training" a blind guide dog. It is essential that the guide dog is docile, patient, calm and without aggressive tendencies, so that it can have a good relationship with the guardian. Being sociable is another important characteristic, since guide dogs will always be surrounded by other people and animals when going out on the street. Intelligence andobedience also count a lot, as they facilitate learning throughout the guide dog training. It is also essential that the blind dog is strong, as well as having a good ability to focus.

Guide dog: Labrador, Golden and German Shepherd breeds are the most common

Personality is what defines whether the animal is fit to be a guide dog. If the dog fits the temperament indicated above, it can be submitted to training. That is, theoretically, to be a guide dog, breed is not the main factor. However, there are some breeds that already tend to gather all the personality traits that a guide dog should have. Therefore, they are the most chosen onesLabrador, German Shepherd and Golden Retriever breeds are undoubtedly the most suitable for the job, as they have the ideal personality to fulfill the responsibilities of a blind dog.

However, we must always remember that personality is an individual characteristic. A Labrador dog may have a very different temperament than the breed normally presents, for example. That is: when choosing a guide dog, breed can really be taken into account, but it is important to always check its personality.

Guide dogs have specific roles to fulfill

A guide dog is a profession just like any other. Therefore, the dog that starts "working" with it has responsibilities that it needs to follow. Among them, we can highlight:

• Always stay to the left of the guardian, keeping slightly ahead
• Do not let yourself be distracted by external things (such as smells, food, people).
• At the sight of a staircase or higher place, the guide dog should stop and follow only when the owner commands, always keeping a pace in tune with the guardian
• When entering an elevator, always leave the guardian near the button
• Helping the owner to get on public transport
• Crossing a sidewalk at the crosswalk and listening to the sound of cars to see if one is coming
• Always walk in the middle of the sidewalk, dodge objects and choose a space where he and his guardian can fit.
• When the guardian is standing still, the guide dog must remain silent
• Go in any direction the guardian orders, and only when ordered to do so
• Be a guide dog both inside and outside the home, in any public or private establishment

The training of the blind guide dog should be started when it is still a puppy

In order for the blind guide dog to be able to fulfill all these responsibilities, it must go through training that has three phases. The first phase of training a blind guide dog should begin when the pet is still a puppy, as it is at this age that the animal has an easier time learning commands - in addition to ensuring that the dog can stay long enough in its role as a guide.The puppy goes to a home with volunteer families to learn how to socialize. In addition, it begins to learn some more basic commands (such as sit) and is exposed to some common daily stimuli to get used to: common sounds in the street, changes in the weather (rain and sun), obstacles, noise from cars and people.

In the second phase of training, the guide dog learns more specific instructions

After completing one year, the future guide dog enters a training school for good. It is there that the more specific training begins for good. The dog starts to follow instructions and learns to obey and disobey - it is important that the guide dog knows how to intelligently disobey the guardian in situations that can put him at risk of life, such as when the owner tells him to move forward but a car is not thereThe dog learns to do more specific things, such as dodge objects, stop in front of stairs, climb and cross sidewalks, pay attention to traffic and how to find the right seat on public transportation.

Guide dog and guardian go through an adaptation phase before finalizing the process

When this training phase is over, the blind dog moves on to the last stage: adapting to the guardian. Guide dog and future owner need to have a good relationship, based on trust and respect. Therefore, before officially having a guide dog, the guardian needs to learn how to control it. It is not only the guide dog that must go through this whole process: the guardian must also be trained and learn to follow andAlso, it is important that the personalities of guide dog and guardian are similar. Very different temperaments can end up compromising the relationship. If guide dog and guardian go through this adaptation phase without problems, they are ready!

The guide dog for the blind can attend any public or private environment

Not all places accept the entry of pets. In the case of the guide dog, however, the legislation is different. Because it is an assistance dog, the guide dog can enter any environment that its guardian needs or wants to attend. Law No. 11,126/05 enacted in 2005 throughout Brazil guarantees that the visually impaired person has the right to enter any public place orNo one can bar a guide dog for the blind from entering shopping malls, buses, subways or anywhere else. In some states of Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro, emotional support dogs are also already guaranteed this right.

When walking on the street, the guide dog must always be identified

It is very important that the guide dog is identified during the service. This avoids problems when the guardian wants to enter somewhere and is also a way to show people that he is a service dog, that is, he is not there to receive affection and play. Every guide dog must have a vest or leash that identifies him. The guide dog must always have an identification tag.containing the following data: name of the guide dog and guardian, name of the training center or independent instructor and CNPJ number of the training center or CPF of the independent instructor. The animal must be identified with a guide, collar and harness with handle, in addition to having the vaccination card up to date.

How to act with a guide dog: do not play and pet the animal on duty

When you see a beautiful dog on the street, you want to pet it and play with it. However, in the case of a guide dog, this should not be done. The reason is simple: the guide dog is on duty and cannot be disturbed. Anything that takes your focus away can end up harming the animal and its guardian, who is counting on your help. Therefore, when you see a guide dog on the street, never play, do it, do it, do it, do it.cuddle, offer treats or do anything that might take their focus away.

The blind man's dog also needs moments of leisure

Guide dog and guardian will spend day and night together for many, many years, so they create a very strong bond of friendship and companionship, and are truly each other's best friends. As we explained, outsiders should not play with the guide dog unless the guardian allows it and they are in a safe place, such as at home. However, even though guide dogs are service dogs, it does not meanOn the contrary, the guardian can have fun with the pet, play with it, pet it and do various activities. The guide dog deserves attention and moments of fun just like any animal!

The guide dog for the blind also retires

As a dog gets older, it is common for them to become more tired, frail and lose some of their amazing abilities. The guide dog is not immune to these conditions and so there comes a time when they need to retire from service. The average guide dog retires after 8 or 10 years of accompanying a visually impaired person. From there, the guardian can request another guide dog if they wish.But what happens to the previous guide dog? As we explained, guardian and dog create a very strong bond. Therefore, the retired dog can continue to live with the owner without problems, it will just no longer do his guide services. Another possibility is to give the animal to a trusted person to adopt.

How to get a guide dog: find out the prerequisites and essential steps

Having a guide dog makes all the difference for a visually impaired person. But how do you get one? First of all, the guardian needs to follow some prerequisites. They are:

• Have a visual impairment or low vision

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• You must be at least 18 years old (or emancipated over 16).

• Live in the national territory

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• Have an independent routine and active life

• Be able to move around independently

In addition, the guardian may need to prove that he/she has a financial condition capable of maintaining the guide dog for the blind, being able to afford day-to-day care (such as food) and health care (vaccinations, emergencies and veterinary consultations). Having the prerequisites, the guardian must take an orientation and mobility course with an emphasis on training for animal use, so that he/she knows how to deal with the guide dog.guide dog - the course is offered by both public and private institutions. The guardian must also register with the National Register of Candidates for the Use of Guide Dogs, of the Human Rights Secretariat. With everything ready, he enters a waiting list. When a guide dog for the blind is available, the guardian will be notified and will go through the adaptation process. If everything is ready, the guardian will be notified and will go through the adaptation process.if it happens correctly, guide dog and owner can now start living together!

How much does a guide dog cost?

Although the use of guide dogs is a great way to offer independence - and, at the same time, love - to a visually impaired person, it is unfortunately still a complicated process in Brazil for a few reasons. The first is the fact that there are few registered guide dogs in the country. The number of institutes that carry out guide dog training for the blind is very low and, as the process of training is very difficult, it is not easy to find a guide dog.training takes a certain amount of time, there is a small amount of dogs "trained" per year. In addition, there are very few instructors specialized in training guide dogs in the country. Thus, there is a high demand and little demand.

The reason for having so few guide dogs is mainly the value. After all, how much does a guide dog cost? The tutor who made the request can get one without paying anything, but the cost of the entire preparation of the guide dog is extremely high for the training institutes. The investment in the training of a guide dog is at least R $ 35,000.00. With so few institutes and professionals dedicated tothis training, in addition to the fact that it is necessary to pay such a large amount to train a guide dog, we can understand why the number of people who have access to this resource is still so low.

Fun fact: there is even an international guide dog day!

Did you know that there is an international guide dog day? It is believed that dogs have been helping visually impaired people to get around since ancient times. Some scholars claim that around 1780 some dogs began to be trained in hospitals to help visually impaired people. In the First World War, with many people losing their sight during the conflicts, the use of guide dogs was introduced.In Brazil, however, the first guide dogs arrived only in 1950. To celebrate the importance of these dogs, it was established that April 29th is the International Guide Dog Day! The date is celebrated worldwide and celebrates these little dogs that have all their skills and all their love to take care and give happiness to the people.for people with visual impairments.