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We train Seeing Eye dogs to guide blind people, instruct blind people in their proper use, handling, and care, and conduct and support research on canine health and development.
- Learn About Seeing Eye Dogs - The Seeing Eye
Seeing Eye dogs are trained to guide their handlers around...
- Stages of the Seeing Eye Dog’s Journey
We train Seeing Eye dogs to guide blind people, instruct...
- Learn About Seeing Eye Dogs - The Seeing Eye
- What Is A Guide Dog?
- How Are Guide Dogs Trained?
- What Breeds Make The Best Guide Dogs?
- What Disabilities Are Guide Dogs Helpful for?
- How Do Guide Dogs Know Where Their Owner Wants to Go?
- Can I Pet A Guide Dog When I See One?
- When Do Guide Dogs Retire?
A guide dog, often known as a seeing-eye dog, is an assistance animal trained to guide blind or visually-impaired people. They are meticulously trained and carefully paired with the perfect owner for them. When a person applies for a guide dog, they aren’t just matched with the latest dog to be trained. The person’s living arrangements, lifestyle, ...
Guide dog training usually begins when a dog is very young, and can continue throughout their lives. Some of the key training steps include: 1. Walking centrally along a pavement 2. Walking straight when crossing a road 3. Obeying orders 4. Not turning corners without a command 5. Avoiding obstacles 6. Stopping at kerbs and crossings 7. Finding doo...
The most important factors when choosing the breed of an assistance dog are intelligence, temperament, and health. To become a successful guide dog, the breed needs to be known for its high level of intelligence, otherwise it is unlikely to do well during training. Dogs are matched with their owners largely based on their personalities, so their te...
Most commonly, guide dogs are paired with people who are legally blind. This means that they might have some vision but would still benefit from the help of an assistance dog. However, only around 5% of people who would qualify for a guide dog actually use them. Not everyone wants a dog and some prefer to use a cane or human assistance if they have...
A guide dog doesn’t actually know ‘where’ their owner wants to go. Rather, the owner gives their dog directional cues and it’s the dog’s job to help them avoid obstacles and unsafe situations. So when you see a guide dog stop at a crossing it’s not because they can read the traffic signals. It’s because they recognize the traffic itself as an obsta...
If a guide dog is wearing a harness, this is a signal that they’re working and should not be distracted under any circumstances. It can be compelling to pet a cute dog while it’s at work, but doing this can put their owner in danger. While working, a guide dog should always be focused on guiding their owner. You can always ask the owner if it’s oka...
A guide dog’s working life rarely spans longer than eight years. However throughout their time as a guide dog, their original trainers work closely with them, observing how they’re doing and whether it’s time for them to retire. Assistance dogs and their owners form a very special bond throughout their time together, so organizations will do what t...
Seeing Eye dogs are trained to guide their handlers around obstacles, whether on the ground or overhead. They alert their handler to changes in elevation, tripping hazards and stairs. Most importantly, they learn to navigate street crossings and are taught “intelligent disobedience.”
Guide dogs (colloquially known in the US as seeing-eye dogs[1]) are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles. Although dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are red–green colour blind and incapable of interpreting street signs.
Changing Lives, One Dog at a Time. If you’re a blind or visually impaired person over age 16 who believes you can benefit from the independence, confidence, and ease of mobility that a guide dog brings, you can apply for a Seeing Eye ® dog.
We train Seeing Eye dogs to guide blind people, instruct blind people in their proper use, handling, and care, and conduct and support research on canine health and development.
Based in Toronto, Canada, The Seeing Eye Organization helps Canadians who are blind or visually impaired partner with guide dogs to improve their mobility and independence.
