Guiding the Way: Overcoming Temptation and Becoming Partners.

Wearing a blindfold, I step into the world of darkness. As I reach out with my left hand, I can feel the head of the guide dog, "Genie," near my knee. My hand descends from her neck down her back, grasping the harness. "Forward!" I shout, and we move ahead, avoiding obstacles. When we encounter stairs, Genie briefly pauses and then guides me to find the starting point again. Initially, I hesitated due to anxiety, but as trust between us grew, our pace quickened. After a year of puppy walking and 6-8 months of training at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School, I began walking with Genie.

 

Overcoming challenges alongside these remarkable animals truly represents a genuine adventure.

 

However, becoming a guide dog is no easy feat. During training, only about 35% of dogs grow into fully capable guide dogs. Even among candidates from optimal parent dogs with the right temperament and health, only 3-4 out of 10 actually become guide dogs. So, what kind of training do they undergo to become guide dogs? And what aspects of this training can be applied to our everyday pet dogs? I posed these questions to a trainer who has been nurturing guide dogs for 30 years since the establishment of the Guide Dog School in 1993.

 

At the Guide Dog School, approximately six trainers are responsible for training and managing around 20 guide dogs. Each guide dog is placed in an individual room, and two rooms are connected to a common living area. Beyond the living area, there is a courtyard where the dogs can interact with each other. They receive individual outdoor training sessions lasting from 30 minutes to an hour daily, and the rest of the time is spent with their peers inside the facility.

 

The evaluation process can be broadly divided into three stages. In the initial assessment, the characteristics of each dog, such as health, behavior, temperament, and work performance, are evaluated, which helps determine the training direction. About three months into the training, a mid-term assessment evaluates basic commands like "straight walking" and more complex exercises like "hill training" and "destination walking."

 

Finally, the ultimate evaluation takes place in the city. It tests the dog's ability to navigate through streets, such as "walking on the left side of the road," and assesses their ability to find their way accurately in environments with stimulating scents during "temptation training." Additionally, utilizing facilities like elevators and escalators and navigating complex obstacles are also included in the final assessment.

 

Guide dogs that pass the final evaluation have a meeting with their visually impaired partner. During this process, they stay together for two weeks inside the Guide Dog School's accommodation, followed by another two weeks at the partner's home, before making the final decision. Afterward, the guide dog will serve for 7-8 years. You now have a deeper understanding of the training and journey of guide dogs. Overcoming challenges alongside these remarkable animals truly represents a genuine adventure.