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However, this is a very myopic view of dogs. There are other dogs, particularly the working class, that, like people, labor everyday to earn their keep. One such dog is the guide dogs, who carries the responsibility of helping disabled people go from one place to another safely.

A pet dog leading, and practically caring, for its owner. It’s like a story with the roles reversed and it’s amazing. So how exactly do these dogs train to become guide dogs? That’s what we’re going to find out.

What Guide Dogs Do

Guide dogs are divided into two categories, depending on the specific disability of their handlers. Thus, there are guide dogs for the blind or the visually impaired and there are guide dogs for the deaf or the hearing impaired.

The task of the guide dog is very important, as such all breeds thta are turned into guide dogs must undergo rigorous training. Their training addresses some, if not all, of the tasks below:

* Keep a direct route. Guide dogs should be trained to ignore distractions, including smells, other animals, and other people.

* Maintain a slow but steady pace. Guide dogs should walk with enough speed to enable them to remain just ahead of the handler. Also, they should stay to the left.

* Stop at all curbs. The handler would usually give the command to proceed.

* Make right or left turns. Guide dogs should be taught to respond to commands of moving forward and stopping.

* Recognize obstacles and avoid them. Specifically, guide dogs are trained to identify barriers or obstacles that the handler cannot go through. Examples are narrow passages or low overheads. They are also taught to stop at the bottom or top of stairs and only proceed when the handler commands them to.

* Bring the handler to where the elevator buttons are located.

* Lie quietly when the handler is resting or sitting down.

* Help the handler in miscellaneous tasks, such as boarding or moving around buses. Most guide dogs are also trained to tackle maneuvering around subways and other forms of public transportation.

* Obey a number of verbal commands from the handler.

And the most important thing of all: Guide dogs are taught to disobey even a command from the handler if following it means putting the handler in harm’s way.

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Guide dogs are comprised of intelligent breeds with even temperaments. Obedience should place high among their list of positive traits. One common breed used as a guide dog is the Labrador Retriever, which is a sturdy dog with a gentle but highly intelligent nature.

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* When you begin socializing your dog, take it slowly! Do not overwhelm him with too many visitors, smells, sounds and experiences at once. You want your dog to be relaxed, not fearful when he meets new people and goes to new places.

* Introduce your dog to everyone - mum, dad, children, visitors and strangers – anyone who comes in to the home and you meet when walking your dog. Encourage the people your dog is meeting not to be fearful of him. Dogs can sense fear in humans easily.

* Let your dog play with other dogs and socialize with them. Your dog needs to learn that dogs come in all shapes and sizes and smells and he needs to be familiar with these differences.

* Take your dog to different places. Let him experience the park, the car, friend’s yards, the neighborhood, the beach, the vet, car parks and any other dog friendly place you like to visit. The more experiences your dog has, the less fearful of different circumstances he will become.

* Introduce your dog to different objects and sounds. Dogs are fearful of thunder and firecrackers and these are difficult to get used to as their ears are so sensitive. You could use a tape of these sounds and introduce them to the noises slowly. Objects such as vacuum cleaners, umbrellas, noisy kitchen appliances can all be frightening to your dog. Help him get used to these everyday objects.

* Some dogs don’t like being brushed or bathed. If you get your dog used to human handling and being patted all over, grooming will become a pleasurable experience, rather than a fearful one.

Dogs that have limited or no socialization grow up to be fearful dogs and are not good as family pets. Dogs needed to be handled by humans by the age of sixteen weeks or they will trust no one. When socializing you dog, have a calm, happy approach when you are meeting new people or introducing your dog to new situations. If the owner seems happy and relaxed, the dog will soon realize this is not a fearful situation. Watch your dog for signs he may not be comfortable with a situation. Excessive yawning or panting, growling, or tail not wagging will indicate your dog is becoming fearful. Don’t force the socialization process. You can always try another day if your dog becomes agitated.

Socialization of your dog doesn’t end once he is no longer a puppy. You must continue to take him out and include him in everyday experiences so he continues to be a well-socialized pet.

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The dog should then be called back and praised for coming. The dog should never be called and punishment administered when it returns as this only makes the dog more reluctant to come next time.  

If the dog is quiet it should be praised. It is important to show the dog what it is allowed to do and what it is not. The dog will soon learn to associate being quiet with praise.  
The owner’s tone of voice should be soft but firm when correcting the dog.

If the dog does not respond then a ’shake tin’ (tin can half filled with stones) may be used to gain the dogs attention. This should be shaken vigorously in conjunction with a firm “NO” and the dog should be praised when it stops barking.

The ’shake can’ or any other object must not be thrown at the dog. 

If the dog does not listen when corrected verbally, then it requires obedience training. 
Physical punishment such as belting the dog, throwing a bucket of water over it or squirting it with a water pistol can usually makes the problem worse. It will also demonstrate that the owner has lost control. 

Obedience training does not in itself correct a barking problem, but it enables the owner to gain control over their dog so that it can be commanded to stop barking.
Five minutes, twice a day reinforcing commands such as “HEEL”, “SIT”, “STAY”, “DOWN”, and “COME” will help maintain control. 

Group training sessions have a number of advantages in that they provide an opportunity for the dog to socialise with other dogs and people, and for owners to train the dog around distractions. 

Once the dog has been obedience trained the owner has a set of commands that the dog has learned, which can be used in difficult situations.
For example you may tell your dog to sit and stay while a visitor arrives at the front door. 
People must be consistent when training. Often an owner will yell at or scold the dog for barking and then on other occasions reward it by bringing it inside.

Source: Dog Obedience

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