Guide Dog Training: Who Let the Dogs Out?

My trainer’s words still come to mind as Dindi and I head out on our errands: ‘Follow your dog’ – ‘Use your hand gestures’ – ‘Correct her with your voice’ –‘Step up into position by the kerb’ –‘Steady her pace’…

It’s been a month since Dindi and I graduated. But those first few weeks of training at Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) has set us up as another confident guide dog team who are enjoying being out and about on our beat.

The First Time is Always Memorable

When we are out on our own now, it reminds me of the 5 km walk we did as a group in Week 3 of training. The trainers were confident they could let us out with our guide dogs to walk as a group: 5 guide dog teams let loose on the streets of Balwyn (Melbourne). Well, not really let loose – our trainers were there every step of the way even if we couldn’t see them.

They clued us in on the plan as we walked several blocks and crossed 7 busy intersections. We were being followed by our trainers and at times, being rounded up as the trainers ran backwards and forwards to keep us all together with reasonable distance between teams. If any of us got too far ahead, we heard the call to ‘STOP! and all five guide dog teams came to a halt on the street. I admired our head-trainer, Jun, who was so stelth in running past without disturbing our dogs and always seemed to appear from out of no where so we gave him the nick-name ‘Mist of Jun’.

I felt so energized while taking in the new scenery, and stayed focused for the entire time. It was challenging as we came across the many distractions; traffic, people and yapping dogs –all part of the training to encourage Dindi to move swiftly past them with little fuss while maintaining our walking speed. At times she would gain a quick trot of excitement like an elegant prancing Lipizzaner.

Going our Way?

Other skills to master were getting on and off public transport. It may look easy to the general public but there is a lot of coordination between handler and guide dog involved. On one occasion, 3 of us caught a tram together with our trainer Eamon and carried it off as beautifully as synchronised swimming. Apparently we impressed the people on the tram so much that once our dogs had all shown us to a seat and we were sitting comfortably, some of them applauded!

Never say the ‘F-Word’

I learned too, that saying the ‘F-word’ around Eamon was a ‘no-no’. We were on one of our practice walks when a small dog jumped out from under a cafe table. Naturally, it caught both Dindi and me off guard. I was slow off the mark to give her the right command to keep moving as she had quickly swiveled around to face the other dog. A few steps later as we got back into our walking rhythm, I mumbled under my breath, ‘Oh dear, I failed that one’.

Eamon, sharp as a pin, stepped closer to ask, ‘Did I hear you say the word failed?’

I nodded, feeling tears beginning to sting.

In a frank tone he said, ‘Never say that word again! You didn’t fail, you are learning. Dindi is learning too’.

At that moment, it did hit home that the training for both the guide dogs and the handlers is all about positive reinforcement with every new skill to learn and master. Over time and with good instruction and practice, reactions become more automatic.

By the fourth week, Dindi and I were managing moving smoothly in and around a myriad of obstacles, including finding the entrance to shop doorways, escalators and lifts. The pace was liberating. I felt more confident, more natural with my prancing black beauty by my side.

Not Goodbye Just Another Hello

As every new adventure begins, we can look back on the previous ones and see how much it played a crucial role in our life’s journey. For Dindi and me, we are able to move forward together due to the amazing work and dedication of our trainers. They have passed on their skills and expertise which I am perfecting each day.

My heart goes out to my puppy raising family too –as Dindi and me are fast becoming a formidable guide dog team.

She is a beautiful soul, with a sensitivity and curious nature that make her a lovely personality to be with – at work as my guiding eyes and at play, as my best canine friend.

Bravo Everyone!

A final word of thanks to all the devoted puppy raisers around the world who give their love in caring for the pups to raise them to guide dog status. Watch the video from GDV of Graduation Day 2017, and see if you can spot Dindi as a young pup running along side her mother Fern. Too cute!

Thank you puppy raisers – you are awesome!

You might also like to read:

Preparing for Guide Dog Training

Guide Dog Training: Breakdown to Breakthrough

Guide Dog Training: New Ways New Challenges

Copyright © Maribel Steel 2019