Guide Dog Training
We
have compiled a list of questions and answers frequently asked by
potential clients. We hope this helps you to get a better idea of
what Guide Dogs of Texas can do for guide dog users.
 1.
What does a Guide Dog do?
A
Guide dog is trained to guide its owner in a straight line unless told
otherwise, avoiding obstacles on the ground, to both sides and above.
It will stop at curbs, at stairs, and locate doorways to regularly
visited destinations. It should maintain a straight line when
crossing a road but will not decide when it is safe to cross.
Making the judgment as to when it is safe to cross a road with a Guide
Dog would be identical to making that judgment when using a long cane.
The dog cannot work miracles but it offers a potentially unique, safe
and effective way of getting about independently.
2. How
would it help me?
Thousands of visually impaired people in all walks of life have found
a Guide Dog brings new freedom and independence. In a world
where the pace of life and crowded noisy streets can make getting
around difficult and stressful for a person with a visual impairment,
a Guide Dog can greatly increase ones confidence. A true
partnership can develop with the Guide Dog becoming a real companion
and friend. In addition, many Guide Dog owners find a Guide
Dog is a social asset. Members of the public are interested in
Guide Dogs and often approach to chat or offer assistance. This
can reduce the feeling of isolation which some visually impaired
people experience.
3.
What are the age limits for applying?
You
must be 17 or over to apply but there is no upper age limit.
Each person who applies for a Guide Dog is assessed individually.
4. Can
I apply if I can still see something?
Some
useful remaining sight need not prevent you from training with a Guide
Dog. However, you would need to be able to use this vision to
assist the dog rather than hinder it. When negotiating
obstacles, for example, the dog’s decision to go one way must not be
questioned. Due to the precise way a Guide Dog needs to be
worked, you may be more mobile solely using your remaining residual
vision. The instructor carrying out your interview assessment
will discuss the implications of this with you.
5.
What if I have other physical disabilities or health problems?
Many
visually impaired people with additional disabilities have
successfully qualified with a Guide Dog. For example,
individuals with diabetes, asthma sufferers, stroke sufferers, and
those with hearing difficulties have qualified for a Guide Dog. We
would be happy to discuss the implications of your
particularly disability or health problem to decide whether it would
seriously hinder your ability to work with a Guide Dog.
6. What happens if I decide to apply?
On
request, we will send an application form for you to complete and a
medical report to be completed by your physician. Once we have
received both these forms from you, an instructor will visit you to
discuss your needs. The instructor will be happy to answer any
questions you have. The information obtained will
help decide whether a dog is suitable for you and, if so, exactly what
type of dog you require. If a guide dog is right for you we will
ask you to attend a training course at our center when a suitable dog is
found.
7. How
long would I have to wait for a dog?
Your
future success with a Guide Dog is most dependent on our matching you
correctly with the correct dog. Your particular needs, and the types
of dogs in training at that time, will determine the length of waiting
time.
 8.
What breed of dog would I be given?
The
breed of dog we offer you will probably be determined by your needs and
abilities. We use Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab
cross Goldens. Males and females are used in roughly equal numbers
and all are neutered before they begin their training.
9. Can I
apply to other Guide Dog Schools as well as with Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
Yes,
you may apply to any other guide dog school. Our only request
would be to let us know if you are called to attend a training course at
another school. This is simply so we do not continue to look for a
suitable dog for you.
10. How
would I know when a dog has been found for me?
We
would contact you approximately four weeks before you would need to
attend the course at the training center. The instructor would
arrange a visit at this time to introduce you to the dog they have
selected. This is a chance for you to meet the dog and discuss any
concerns you may have. Provided you and the instructor are both
satisfied with the match you would attend the three week training
course.
11. What
does the training involve?
Training is as important for you as it is for your dog. Your dog’s
training will quickly break down if you are not able to work the dog
properly. Training usually last three to four weeks.
At the
start of training you would learn basic dog handling skills such as
grooming, feeding and obedience. Training walks, lasting up to one
hour, usually occur twice a day. These walks teach you how to work
your dog in the different situations you will meet at home.
Informal lectures on some evenings will add to your understanding about
dogs and guide dog mobility.
12. Who
else will be in training?
Usually
there will be one or two clients attending each training class.
Some of these clients may have had a Guide Dog before, but this would
not affect you if you are a first-time applicant because the training
occurs very much on an individual basis.
13. Do I
have to pass a test to graduate with my Guide Dog?
No.
There is no single walk or test where you are assessed as to whether
you have achieved a safe and effective enough standard to graduate.
Your working relationship should develop sufficiently during your course
for you to be able to work safely and effectively at home. Of
course, you will have various problems on the course to overcome, but
your instructor will work through these with you, keeping you fully
informed on your progress.
14. What
happens after I graduate?
Upon
being graduated, you will sign an agreement with Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
which outlines your responsibilities as a guide dog owner and those of
Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. towards you as our client. On returning
home your instructor will visit on different occasions over the
course of the next few weeks to carry out post training aftercare.
This will help you to start working your Guide Dog in your home area and
eliminate any of the “teething” problems that often occur upon first
returning home. The number of these visits will depend upon your
needs and the complexity of the routes you need to traverse.
15. How
do I look after my dog?
During
training you will be taught how to groom your dog, and you will be
expected to do this daily when returning home. The dog’s feeding
needs will be discussed during your training course and you will return
home with a recommended diet. It is your responsibility to make
sure your dog does not become overweight. You will also be taught
how to give a physical check of your dog. The dog must be taken to
a vet every six months for a routine check-up.
You
will be issued a Health Record Book for your dog, and on each veterinary
visit your vet will complete a report, a copy of which you will return
to Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. Your instructor will discuss with you
suitable relief routines and procedures for your dog and will also
suggest if there are safe areas to free run your dog in your locality.
16. Will
Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. keep in touch once my post training aftercare
has finished?
Staff
at Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. will keep in touch with you. Annual
aftercare visits are made by an instructor throughout your dog’s working
life to check that both of you are working safely and happily together.
Once your dog reaches nine (9) years of age, an instructor will carry
out a re-interview to determine if you wish to re-train with a
new dog when your guide dog retires. All dogs from Guide Dogs of
Texas, Inc. will retire at about 10 years of age, at which point you will have
the option to retain your dog as a pet if you wish.
17. What
if a problem arises?
Advice
is always available over the phone but in an emergency, an instructor
will make a priority aftercare visit when appropriate. If the
problem cannot be resolved in the aftercare visit, we would consider a
refresher course at the training center for dog, owner or both, as
appropriate.
18.
How much will a guide dog cost me?
The
cost to you is $1.00 for the dog. Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc. covers
the costs of your board and lodging while in training, but you would
need to arrange your travel to and from San Antonio. If you have a
medical condition requiring special snacks, you would
need to bring those items to training.
Harness
equipment, a leash, a collar and grooming equipment will be provided to
you upon graduation from the training course. All future
harnesses, leashes, leads or collars may be purchased from Guide Dogs of
Texas, Inc. You will also be responsible for the shipping cost of
these items. You will also need to purchase feeding bowls, suitable
bedding and toys for your dog. On returning home, you will need to
cover the ongoing costs of feeding and veterinary expenses.
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