![]() ![]() Some handlers put in extra work on “Find” command tasks with very impressive results. Guide Dog schools in North America vary in how much work is put into the tasks listed under Locating Objects. This may include moving into a road to walk around something then locating the safer pedestrian path once clear of the obstacle. Whenever navigating around obstacles, the dog is trained to return to the original path of travel as soon as possible. Some, but not all, may learn to do leash guiding as well. ![]() The majority of guide dogs work through a harness with a U-shaped handle that attaches to the harness and allows for vertical and some lateral movement. Obstacle Avoidance, Signaling Changes in Elevation and Locating Objects. The tasks or duties listed below have been grouped into three primary skill categories. Like other assistance dogs, a guide dog relies heavily on the team leader’s feedback, especially praise, to reinforce and motivate desired behaviors. It should be noted this skill deteriorates over time if the handler forgets to appropriately praise the dog for avoiding a situation. The net effect of the conditioning, however, is a habitual reaction from the dog to specific stimuli which substantially improves team safety. Guide dogs are carefully conditioned to refuse the “ Forward” command under certain circumstances where it would be unsafe to proceed, something termed “ intelligent disobedience.” A dog does not have the reasoning power to comprehend the inherent danger in traffic. The human partner makes most of the decisions for the team, giving the dog directions and determining, after listening to the flow of traffic, the most optimal time to cross each street. One guide dog user explains it this way: “Guide dogs take directional commands and institute a path of travel, indicate changes in elevation, indicate and avoid oncoming traffic, navigate around obstacles and locate objects on command.” Although it is uncommon to discuss guide dog work in terms of tasks being performed, a guide dog’s four to six month education involves mastering a set of tasks which, taken together, allow a blind or visually impaired individual to negotiate the unseen environment with greater safety and independence.
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