Guide Dogs - Erin McNair -Thursday 25 March 2021 @ 18.45 for Chat 19.00 for Meet

GUIDE DOGS

On Thursday, McNair, an experienced puppy walker for Guide Dogs Scotland, talked to the Club about her role in the initial stages of life of a puppy destined (it is hoped) to become a guide dog.  The description “puppy walker” may give the impression that this role is simply to give the puppy exercise in its early months. As Erin explained, this is very far from what is actually involved.

The choice of dogs to be bred as potential guide dogs is undertaken at the main Guide Dog centre.  Dogs are chosen on the basis of size, temperament and suitability for training.  With a characteristically gentle and even temperament, Labradors have been a popular choice, but other breeds, including German Shepherds and, more recently, some Labradoodles have been used.  When the pups are about seven weeks old, they are introduced to puppy walkers who will look after them until they reach twelve to fourteen months.  At that stage, it is hoped they are ready for the formal training process that will determine whether they can qualify as a guide dog, and be linked with an individual with whom, in all likelihood, they will remain for up to eight years.

During the period the puppy is with the puppy walker, it will pass through a number of important stages in its development.  The puppy walker will teach the puppy to obey a number of basic commands; and it will be introduced to a wide variety of situations it will have to learn to cope with: journeys on buses and trains, visits to shops and restaurants, dealing with traffic, and coping with different surfaces such as metal grids.  A notable experience for Erin with one puppy was to visit the Scottish Parliament.  Linked with this variety of preparatory experiences, the pups meet with other puppy walkers and their pups to familiarise them with other dogs, and to learn in a communal setting.

Not all pups are successful in progressing to further training. Erin explained that some have health issues; some show nervousness in coping with specific circumstances; others have to be withdrawn because of unsuitable temperament.  However, there is a real feeling of pride for a puppy walker when a pup passes through its further training and is fully qualified.

All this costs a great deal of money.  Although puppy walkers are volunteers, to fund a guide dog from birth to retirement and beyond costs some £55,000.  This financial support has to come from donations.  A dog can be sponsored for a monthly sum, and, for an additional amount, it can be given a specified name, perhaps in memory of a loved one.  More information is available from www.guidedogs.org.uk. 

Iain Fraser thanked Erin for a very interesting and informative talk.  He was sure that members had been impressed with the work being undertaken.