Guide Dogs begin formal training at 12 to 18 months old, with  instructors taking care to understand each dog and treat them individually. Click-and-reward techniques are used to teach:

• Obedience (“sit”, “down”, “stand”, “stay” and “recall”)
• Guiding position (walking ahead and parallel to the handler)
• Straight line concept (the dog follows the natural curve of the path, avoids obstacles and returns to the original direction of travel)
• Turns (the dog is taught to turn left, right and back)

How to:

• Avoid obstacles (this includes height obstacles)
• Indicate steps up or down
• Ignore distractions plus traffic work exercises to increase the dog’s awareness of vehicles
• Find orientation points (kerb, step, escalator, door and/or crossing)
• Use lifts/escalators
• Work safely in non-pavement conditions
• Behave in an acceptable manner in all social situations

Instructors wear blindfolds in the final stages of training, so the Guide Dog can demonstrate its guiding ability in different environments and situations.

You and your Guide Dog will work together as a team

• You direct the dog on their given route
• Your Guide Dog will walk in a straight line, avoiding all obstacles
• You give the dog the next instruction at each landmark on the route
  At a road crossing, you decide if you want to cross the road, turn left, or right.
• If you decide to cross the road, you give the Guide Dog the instruction to cross, once you have determined that it is safe to do so. The dog will cross straight and locate the up-kerb.
• Dogs are very good at finding orientation points. These could be general orientation points that the dog will find in all environments, for example, “find the kerb”, “ find the escalator.” Or, they could be specific orientation points that relate to that specific route, for example, “find John’s office.”

We interview you, as the potential Guide Dog owner, in your home. In the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions about:

• Your dog’s role
• Advantages and disadvantages of owning a Guide Dog
• Guide Dog ownership responsibilities
• Training for you and your Guide Dog

A working dog may not be the right solution for you if you don’t enjoy being near dogs.

Guide Dogs are typically for persons 18 years or older, but we can consider applicants in their late teens.

You and your dog’s compatibility is key to your partnership

This depends on many different factors.

For example, a Guide Dog matched to a young, active university student is different to a match for a retired person.

Our instructors will consider the temperament and working ability of the Guide Dog and compare this to your needs, lifestyle, preferences and environment.

Once your Guide Dog is in your care, you pledge to care for him/her humanely and follow our guidelines for ongoing care and training.

You will:

• Receive training so that you can care for and work with your Guide Dog safely and efficiently
• Be taught to understand your dog’s needs and how to continue positive reinforcement training
• For training you will attend  one of South African Guide-Dogs Association’s centres, in Johannesburg or Cape Town, and we will also work in your home environment

• You will receive ongoing support and advice for the working life of your Guide Dog
• Our instructors can give telephonic advice and offer follow-up visits
• You and your Guide Dog will be visited on an annual basis to check all is well

You are responsible for the care of your Guide Dog but we are available to assist if he/she needs extended or expensive veterinary treatment.

On acceptance of your application, you will be trained with your Guide Dog and can expect to pay an upfront fee of R350 for your trained Guide Dog. If you can afford to care for a dog on a monthly basis, a Guide Dog is within your reach.

Most Guide Dogs retire at about 10 years old. Generally people wish to keep their retired Guide Dog as a pet, because of the strong bonds.

If you can’t keep your Guide Dog, you will be allowed to rehome your Guide Dog with a trusted family member or friend. If you don’t know someone suitable, we will rehome him/her at an approved home. Retired Guide Dogs are accustomed to a great deal of companionship – they prefer being at home with someone who does not work or who works from home.

Retired Guide Dogs cost more to look after, as they may have additional health needs, due to age.