Guide dogs help the blind and visually impaired regain their mobility and independence. They help their owners navigate through traffic, judge the height and width of various daily obstacles, and assess the danger involved in a particular situation. However, a guide dog’s ability to keep his owner safe requires years of careful training.

It takes a special type of dog to become a good guide dog. Many different breeds can become effective guide dogs, although German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers are often best suited to this special work. Guide dogs must be good natured, intelligent, observant, and not easily frightened by noises or crowds. Even the best trainer can’t make a nervous and skittish dog into an effective companion.

Guide dogs are trained at non-profit guide dog schools that specialize in providing service animals for the blind and visually impaired. The training process begins as soon as a puppy is old enough to leave his mother. Volunteer puppy raisers help socialize the dog and teach basic obedience skills. This also provides an opportunity to see if the dog’s temperament is suited for more extensive training. Approximately 20 percent of the puppies are released from the training program at this time.

After the volunteer puppy raiser returns the guide dog, he is coached by a professional trainer who uses a reward and punishment system to teach skills such as walking in a straight line, stopping at curbs, and dealing with large crowds. If the dog is able to master these skills, he is paired with an owner for additional training. Training schools match guide dogs and their blind or visually impaired owners on the basis of compatible personalities, then help the pair through a program that teaches them to develop a strong working relationship. After this training, the guide dog begins his new life as a service animal.

As you might expect, guide dogs have a very demanding job. If you see a guide dog at work, it’s best to avoid doing anything that will interfere with his concentration. You should never give a guide dog food or attempt to touch him without his owner’s permission. Guide dogs may appear friendly, but they are not to be confused with pets.

Guide dogs are typically expected to work for approximately seven years, although dogs in peak physical condition may be able to work slightly longer. After retirement, the dog is either kept as a pet by the owner’s family or given back to the guide dog training school to be placed in a new home. For those interested in adopting a retired guide dog, training schools can facilitate an adoption.