Guide dogs carry huge responsibilities every time they step out with their vision-impaired or blind owners. Safety is paramount. As part of their guiding role, the dogs must be able to perform complex tasks such as judging width and height, so as not to walk their handlers into obstacles or overhangs. It is well known that other dog breeds, including the Border Collie and German Shepherd, rate more highly than Labradors with respect to intelligence. If intelligence was the only measure of a guide dog's success, there would be fewer Labradors in harness on the streets. The reality is that Labradors have other special qualities that make them the perfect choice for the guide dog role.
Labradors Digging in
Labradors are easy to train because they thrive on praise and are desperate to please. They obey commands and instructions from their handlers willingly. But sometimes guide dogs must disobey commands, especially the command to go forward.
Such a situation arises when the route ahead is not safe, and that continuing on would place the blind or vision-impaired owner in danger. For example, the guide dog might see a car backing out of a driveway, which the blind or vision-impaired person might not have heard.
This is where Labradors excel. One not so well-known fact is that the breed possesses a stubborn streak. This trace of obstinacy can prevent accidents. Labrador guide dogs refuse to move forward, despite repeated commands, until the path is safe.
Guide Dogs Facing Distractions
Typical distractions for dogs include cats lolling on footpaths or sitting on walls, other dogs in the street, and the biggest one - food. With training, Labradors - renowned for their love of food - can be taught to completely ignore it. In guide dog training programs, Labrador puppies undergo thorough testing in all these areas. It is essential that guide dogs do not react to any of these distractions.
Noise is another major distraction. Guide dogs that display any sign of fear or anxiety at loud sounds cannot be relied upon for safe mobility. They are expected to move confidently through numerous noisy places, such as train stations, crowded shopping centres, and past busy construction sites sporting deafening heavy machinery.
The Patience of a Labrador
Like other dogs, Labradors love their exercise. But they also cherish their rest time. Labradors spend a lot of time sleeping. The breed's slothfulness earns it a big tick from the guide dog schools.
Lying around for hours is exactly what is required of guide dogs. Once they have safely guided their blind or vision-impaired owners to the destination, dogs might have to wait for some time before commencing the return journey. Labradors are extremely patient when it comes to waiting.
Loyalty to the Blind
Re-homing dogs, for whatever reason, is often fraught with problems and is not always successful. And yet adjusting to new homes is exactly what potential guide dogs must do. Trainee guide dogs spend the first twelve months of life with puppy-raisers before heading off to guide dog school. Following this, dogs are matched with blind or vision-impaired owners and moved to their permanent homes.
This is a huge amount of change, which Labradors take in their stride. An Australian Guide Dog Association recognises this highly desirable trait, stating that one of the important qualities of Labradors is their ability to "transfer their respect and allegiance from one person to another without complication".
More About Guide Dogs
The qualities of loyalty, patience, occasional stubbornness, sense of responsibility and ability to adjust to a new owner and home make Labradors highly suitable for the guide dog pool. But not all Labradors accepted by guide dog programs pass the final test. In Australia, according to Guide Dogs Victoria, only about fifty-percent of trainee Labradors graduate. More information about Labradors as guide dogs for the blind can be found at Guide Dogs Victoria and Guide Dogs Western Australia.
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