Learn about guide dogs! Discover their adorable side!

Hello, dog lovers!

How are you doing these days?

Dogs are sensitive to temperature changes.

It's only natural for pet owners to want their dogs to be comfortable in the hot summer and cold winter.

As a result, with these drastic climate changes, you may find yourself constantly worrying about things like adjusting the room temperature and taking your dog for walks, which can be quite a hassle.

However, dogs may be thinking the same things as humans.

Although dogs are generally kept as pets, they have coexisted with humans since ancient times as partners, hunting, gathering, and guarding.

The symbiotic relationship between dogs and humans continues into modern life.

A prime example is guide dogs.

Although the number of guide dogs in modern society is gradually decreasing, they are always needed.

I would like to introduce you to guide dogs today.

About Guide Dogs

So, how much do you know about guide dogs?

It's common knowledge that guide dogs help the visually impaired by avoiding obstacles, pointing out steps, and assisting with walking, so they can safely reach their destination.

Let's learn more about guide dogs.

Regulations regarding guide dogs were established with the revision of the Road Traffic Act in 1978. Guide dogs are certified under the "Act on Assistance Dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities." Because they are specially trained, they can accompany the visually impaired in a variety of places, including public facilities, transportation, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels. They are irreplaceable companions who always support the visually impaired wherever they go.

The easiest way to tell if a guide dog is a guide dog is by its white harness. The harness transmits the dog's movements to its user, allowing them to walk safely. A blind person can sense a corner on the left when the harness moves slightly to the left and stops, or an uphill step or staircase when the harness moves slightly up and stops. The information conveyed by the harness's movement helps blind people walk safely.

Also, remember that guide dogs are animals. They need to be treated just like regular dogs, including feeding, toileting, and of course, shampooing and brushing. Not only do they help you walk safely, but they also have their own adorable side. For the blind, guide dogs are both family members and supportive companions in daily life.

The Life of a Guide Dog

Next, let's talk about the life of a guide dog!

Their lives and devotion to humans are essential knowledge for understanding guide dogs.

Their lives can be roughly divided into

1. Birth
2. Training
3. Supporting the blind
4. Retirement

Their lives can be divided into the following stages. A guide dog's life span of about 10 years, covering these two and three stages, is equivalent to about 50 years of a human's life. It's not easy for puppies to spend more than half their lives supporting humans.

Let's take a closer look.

1. Birth

The period from birth until training is divided into two periods: time spent with their mother and siblings, and time spent with the breeder. Puppies spend the first two months of their lives with their mother and siblings, and then for about 10 months until they turn one year old, they are raised in the loving homes of volunteer puppy walkers. While living with the puppy walkers, they begin to adapt to "human society." They experience life with humans by going out to various places, including trains, cars, rain, and snow, and experiencing life with humans.

2. Training Period

Training is broadly divided into three stages. After a final evaluation, trainees are introduced to the front lines.

(1) Basic Training

(2) Guidance Training

(3) Joint Training

Training is divided into the three stages above, and is carried out in order from top to bottom.

Between (2) and (3), a test is conducted to assess the dog's suitability as a guide dog, marking the final stage of training.

During training, you will learn how to communicate with visually impaired people and how to avoid danger.

Specifically, you will be trained to avoid obstacles such as signs, bicycles, parked cars, and pedestrians. While it is difficult to spot obstacles at high altitudes with a white cane, guide dogs are trained to avoid even high obstacles.

3. Supporting the Blind

After graduation, a new life begins for the blind person and their guide dog. Together with the trainer, you will practice walking with your guide dog on routes you normally use, such as when commuting to work or shopping. After that, the guide dog and its trainer will regularly check in on the routes and places you use in your daily life.

4. Retirement

Guide dogs retire around the age of 10, separating from their owners. After retirement, they spend their days relaxing with their owners at a facility. Owners who have spent around 10 years with their dog often visit to check on their retired dog. Of course, they're curious about what their partner is up to.

The above roughly divides the life of a guide dog into two parts.

The Japan Guide Dog Association's website provides a more detailed account of their lives, so if you're interested, you might want to take a look.

Finally

Thank you very much for reading!

I hope this article has helped you learn a little about guide dogs.

These dogs spend more than half their lives supporting people, and it's truly inspiring to see them in all their glory. If you're interested, you might want to do some research yourself.

See you next time!