Throughout the centuries dogs have proven themselves to be the most loyal, dependable of partners to man. They are reliable friends and a lot of fun but when subjected to special training they can become so much more. Guide dog training has taken the dog's abilities and used them to help many disabled people the world over. These dogs have helped give the individual a new sense of freedom by guiding them and generally aiding them when outdoors. These dogs have become the main line of support that a disabled person relies on.

When you spot a guide dog and it's owner about town it is hard not to feel a certain sense of awe at the effectiveness of the pairing. Being guided down a pavement safely, waiting for and boarding a bus or taxi, helping the individual cross a busy street, all are very impressive. The human will always be in charge ( or direct ) the dog but the dog will do the guiding around obstacles, therefore the dog is like a pilot of sorts.

The first guide dogs are thought to have originated from Germany after the First World War. The function of these dogs was to aid injured veterans that had returned from the fighting. The USA took this function further and in 1929 a school was set up to cover this called 'The Seeing Eye'. As the title suggests this school concentrated on the dogs helping people with sight disabilities. Seeing eye dogs are now a slang term used for these particular guide dogs. In 1931 the UK finally caught on to the idea and three German Shepherds were trained for a trail purpose. Again, these dogs were used on veterans of the First World War.

The training of guide dogs consists of many different elements but there are a few main guides to stick to. The dogs must always try to walk in as straight a line as possible ignoring any person or animal they may pass. They must always stick to the left of the person directing the dog and keep a steady, slow pace. They are taught to turn whichever direction when instructed by the handler. The dog will always stop at curbs or similar road junctions until it is safe for the handler to move on ( this also applies to stairs ).

This is just the tip of the iceburg regarding the various skills of guide dogs. They are quite extraordinary animals with a high level of training and intelligence. They have become a necessity for a lot of disabled people the world over and will continue to do so.