At what age can you apply for a Guide Dog ?

Young children through to the elderly can receive mobility training. However, to form an effective team, a Guide Dog user must be psychologically and emotionally mature and that is usually from 18 years and above. If Guide Dog mobility is their goal, alternative mobility training is provided until the person is assessed as capable of providing the leadership necessary to work effectively with a Guide Dog.

Where do you get your dogs?

Unfortunately, in Russian there is no breeding program designed especially for Guide Dog's work. Therefore, we purchase dogs for training from people through cynologist organizations as well as through organizations that work with dogs professionally. A major part of Guide Dogs that we've trained are those that vision impaired people bought and raised themselves. Sometimes we get them as presents. Unfortunately, in most cases we can't accept presented dogs because quite often they don't have working qualities of a Guide Dog.

How many of dogs that you train become Guide Dogs?

Unfortunately, in the best case scenario - about 50%. If, as in other countries, there was a breeding program especially for the purposes of Guide Dogs' work, we could successfully train as many as 80%.

What breeds of dogs are used?

We use mainly Labradors, golden retrievers and, seldom, German Shepherds. In response to a special request in 1999 we trained a ca de bu as a Guide Dog but it was an exception. Labradors are the most suitable dogs for working as a Guide Dog.

What are the reasons for using other breeds?

Some clients have a preference for a certain breed, and we try to meet their requirement. Especially, if a dog was purchased by a vision impaired person. Of course, such dog should fully comply with the requirements for a Guide Dog when we test it.

What are the requirements for a Guide Dog?

First of all, a future Guide Dog must have a stable nervous system that would allow us to train it and use it in work without any damage to the animal. Also, it should be even-tempered, composed towards people and animals, non-aggressive. It should not react to loud noises, be afraid of transport, suffer from naupathia. The dog should be healthy and in good form.

Who looks after the puppies when they are little?

2-3 months old pups are raised either at the families of the disabled for whom they are trained or at home of our instructors. We would be happy if somebody agrees to care for our pups until they are ready for training (see Puppy Raisers). The dog returns to the Training Center at approximately 12 months of age for assessment and, if suitable, begins Guide Dog training.

How long does it take to train a Guide Dog?

About a year: from the age of 3 to about 10 months is the Puppy Raising Program; five - six months intensive training at the Center, followed by 2 week training with the vision impaired person to whom it has been allocated. Purchase of an adult dog makes this period significantly shorter.

Is it possible for people to train with a Guide Dog in their own local area?

Our instructors come to vision impaired people and train dogs in the area where they have to work as Guide Dogs.

Are dogs or bitches preferred for Guide Dog training?

We use both. Labradors come in a variety of sizes and we need to be able to select a male or female dog which will suit the vision impaired handler's size, personality and mobility requirements. We select the dog to suit the needs of the individual. All dogs are sterilized, so their sex does not really matter.

Can the dog judge width and height?

Yes. The dog is taught to judge its handler's width as well as its own. This enables the dog to safely guide the vision impaired person around other people, prams, bicycles and so on. The dog is also taught to judge height, which enables it to guide the person safely to avoid overhead obstacles such as overhanging branches.

How does the dog know when to cross the road?

In fact, it is not the dog that makes the decision about when to cross a road. The vision impaired person has been taught how to use their hearing to assess the traffic flow. In general, the person knows whether traffic is moving, or whether cars have stopped. The person then gives the 'forward' command to the dog to cross the road. If the person has not heard the approach of a vehicle, the dog will refuse the command and then proceed once the car has passed. If, after starting to cross the road, a vehicle approaches, the dog will stop until the car passes, before completing its crossing of the road. We do not recommend our clients to fully rely on a dog when crossing a road mainly because of the unpredictable driving traditions in Russia.

How does the dog know where its handler wants to go?

Usually the vision impaired person tells the dog where to go. Before training with a Guide Dog, the person will be well-oriented to their most often used locations, (e.g. to work, the local shop) so they know where they are going. Being aware of clues and landmarks (such as a curb or a dip in the pavement) enable the person to know how to direct the dog to their destination. Having traveled the route a number of times, the dog will remember the route. In many cases the Guide Dog handlers simply issues a command such as "find the post office" and the dog will carry out the task if it is familiar with the route. There are many cases where Guide Dog handlers have reported that their dogs have remembered a particular doorway or house, even when they have not visited the place for twelve months or so. If the handler wants to walk a route that his Guide Dog does not know, he helps it to find directions by giving out commands like "straight", "right", "left", finding the way independently or asking passers-by for help. In such case the Guide Dog must warn its handler or any obstacles on their way.

Are Guide Dogs allowed to travel on public transport?

Guide Dogs are allowed to travel free on all forms of public transport including trains, buses, taxis and the passenger section of aircraft. Guide Dogs are also allowed to enter any public place including shops, restaurants, theatres, hotels and motels.

What is the average working life of a dog?

Working life of a Guide Dog abroad is about 8 to 10 years. However, in Russia, because of luck of funds, Guide Dogs work much longer, often until they die. there have been dogs which have worked for longer periods.

Can Guide Dogs and their handlers be incompatible?

A dog for a vision impaired person is a very close friend, a family member. The dog effectively helps him to gain independence and become a self-efficient person again. Ideally, a dog is selected in accordance with the requirements of a person and based on the dog's character and behavior. We always train a dog for a specific person because people, as well as dogs, are of different sizes, walking speed, character. So, usually they are compatible.

Does the dog ever go out as an ordinary pet?

Yes. The Guide Dog is taught it is on duty when in harness. When out of harness, it behaves just like any family dog. Contrary to what many think Guide Dogs live as long as any other ordinary dog.

Can a Guide Dog be patted?

When a Guide Dog is in harness it is working and needs to concentrate on leading the vision impaired person around safely. If the situation allows, the person may be able to take the harness off, signaling to the dog that it is okay to play and be patted. It's also important to remember never to feed or distract a Guide Dog when it is working.

Do all dogs that have been preliminary selected for training become Guide Dogs?

Unfortunately, not. During training a dog can show certain qualities that are incompatible with the work of a Guide Dog, or the dog is ill. In each case we try to find an acceptable solution. The dog can be reclassified for work with other categories of disabled or become a therapy dog. Or we just place it with a family where it becomes everyone's favorite.

What happens to dogs which are unsuitable to train as Guide Dogs?

Dogs may not be suitable for Guide Dog work if they are afraid of sudden noises, busy stressful environments or heavy traffic. They may become part of Pets as Therapy (PAT) program or the Companion Dog program.

PAT dogs are placed with children who have a vision impairment whilst Companion Dogs are placed with people who have a physical, psychological or social disability. Having the companionship of a loving, interesting pet can play an important role in the emotional and physical development of children and can be of great benefit to the well-being of disadvantaged and lonely people.

Where do you train dogs?

Since we do not have any facilities we train dogs in town, where they have to work in the future. We also go to homes of our clients that live in Moscow or Moscow Region.

How much does a client pay for a Guide Dog?

Nothing. As with all our services, Guide Dogs are provided completely free of charge.

Do you train Guide Dogs for foreigners?

Yes, but not for free. Guide Dogs that we train are transferred free of charge only to Russians. With regard to training Guide Dogs for foreigners we have a "2 for 1" policy. I.e., training one Guide Dog for a foreigner we are able to train another Guide Dog for a Russian citizen. Therefore, while an average price for training a Guide Dog is 5 thousand US dollars, a foreigner that wishes to buy a Guide Dog that we train, will have to pay 10 thousand US dollars.

What does it cost to train and allocate a Guide Dog to a vision impaired person?

In making this estimate we have to consider:

• The Puppy Raising
• Keeping a dog during Guide Dog Training
• Intensive training for each Guide Dog
• Transportation Expenses
• Veterinary Services

This brings the estimated cost to approximately $5,000.

Where do the organization's funds come from?

Our Center receives no government funding so relies fully on the generosity of individual donors, community groups and corporate donors. We also rely on our fundraising programs.

How much of the donations the Center receives goes into administration?

At the moment all administrative costs are covered by our instructors. We hope in the future, if our work receives enough support, to hire a person that would handle all administrative work. So, a minimal part of donations the Center receives will cover his salary. In near future we do not plan to rent an office.