The Amazing Abilities of Guide Dogs
The Amazing Abilities of Guide Dogs
There are many different services well-trained service dogs can provide. They can detect a blood sugar irregularity in a person with diabetes, alert to a seizure, and provide emotional support to people with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, guide dogs are the most well-known service animals.
The Amazing Skills of Guide Dogs
With International Guide Dog Day approaching, it's an excellent opportunity to discuss what all guide dogs can do and how they can help. These incredible animals enable those who are visually impaired to navigate their way through the world safely. They are able to ignore all people, animals, and chaos around them and stay focused on their job.
These dogs are vital when approaching an intersection. The dog will stop and only proceed when it is safe. Other things guide dogs can do include:
Stop at curbs, intersections, and stairs
Help their handler safely board public transportation
Lead their handler to elevator buttons
Avoid obstacles
Selective Disobedience
One of the most impressive skills guide dogs have is the ability to detect when a command will put their handler in danger. When this happens, they do not obey the order. This is most important at a busy intersection, where the handler and the dog both have to determine whether it is safe to cross.
The handler listens closely for traffic and tells the dog to move forward once it sounds safe. However, the dog may see a car approaching and disobey the command. He will then move forward once the vehicle has passed. This helps ensure the safety of both the dog and the handler.
Guide Dogs Need Routine Care
It is important to remember that guide dogs need care the same as any animal. Regular veterinarian visits for preventative care can prevent problems down the road. Contact us today to schedule your dog's checkup.
Waipahu Waikele
Kailua
Pet Specialists of Hawaii
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