Guide dogs help blind and visually impaired people live independently. Guide dogs for the blind become eyes for their owner and lead them through their daily life, making sure they don't bump into people, making sure it's safe to cross the street, and alerting them if there is an obstacle.

Guide dogs are even allowed to disobey. If their owner says, "Forward," and there is a bike or trash can in the way, the dog won't move.

Guide Dog Training
The breeds most often used for guide dogs for the blind are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, and sometimes a mix of the two. Their training starts at birth. For the first 18 months of their lives, future guide dogs live with a foster family that teaches them basic obedience and also brings them to public places where regular dogs can't go. This is to get them used to being around a lot of people.

At 18 months of age, the dog goes back to the guide dog organization he or she came from for training that lasts four to six months. In America, there are several guide dog organizations. Then the blind or visually impaired person comes to the guide dog school for about one month to learn how to work with their new companion.

Guide Dog Costs
Travel costs for the new owner are almost never covered by the guide dog organization, but sometimes the guide dog facility can provide new owners with free accommodations while they learn how to form a team with their dog.

Some organizations provide the guide dog free of charge to the recipient. Others request a small percentage of what it costs for them to train the dog. Training a guide dog typically cost the organization in the neighborhood of $40,000. 

Guide Dog and Blind Match
How does a guide dog training organization match up their canines with a new lifelong partner? Lorri Bernson from Guide Dogs of America explains that it’s all based on a few characteristics, both the dog’s and the blind person’s.

"We take in account the person’s speed of pace, tone of voice, activity level and other characteristics to be able to match them up with a dog that will work well in each specific person’s lifestyle," Bernson says.

Guide dogs for the blind truly allow their owners to live independent lives.

For a twist on dogs and disability, find out how one enterprising young woman with cerebral palsy schools and exercises dogs  from the comfort of her power wheelchair.