RNZFB Guide Dog Services

Principal Sponsor Bayleys - Before Guidance Comes Trust

Guide dogs mean freedom, independence, confidence and companionship.

Guide dogs help blind, deafblind and vision-impaired New Zealanders get around safely, with greater speed and confidence.

Guide dogs are taught how to:

• Guide their handlers around hazards
• Negotiate traffic
• Locate common destinations such as the supermarket, bus stop or work
• Travel on public transport

Evolution of a guide dog

Brood bitches and stud dogs are carefully selected and mated either naturally or artificially through the Douglas Pharmaceuticals Guide Dog Breeding Improvement Programme.

Now around 60 - 70% of puppies go on to graduate as a guide dog and we are trying to improve this statistic which is already world class.

At seven weeks old puppies are placed with volunteer puppy walkers for around 12 months as part of the Guide Dog Puppy Development Programme.

Puppy walkers socialise the young dog and introduce it to situations it will encounter as a guide dog - supermarket shopping, sports events, work, school, negotiating escalators...

Guide dog puppies are assessed regularly to see how they are developing and how they act in different situations.

At around 12 months puppies return to the Guide Dog Centre and begin their formal guide dog training. Over six months they are assessed on a variety of personality and temperament traits, health aspects and guiding tasks.

They are taken on walk assessments to see how they react in a range of different situations including rural and residential areas, heavy traffic, and at night.

Successful puppies qualify as a guide dog and are matched to a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person. After a period to bond, the team then has two to five weeks of training with a guide dog orientation and mobility instructor.

A guide dog works for around 8-10 years. During this time a profound and unique partnership develops. They often stay with their handler as a pet when they retire. A replacement guide dog then begins its career.

Guide dog costs

Breeding - $2,500

Puppy Development - $3,000

Formal Training - $6,500

Team Training - $10,500

Total - $22,500

All about guide dogs

When did Guide Dog Services start?

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) opened Guide Dog Services in 1973.

Where do guide dogs come from?

The RNZFB is the only organisation in New Zealand that breeds, raises and trains guide dogs. Around 100 purpose bred guide dog puppies are whelped each year.

What sort of support does a guide dog team have?

In the first year the team is visited three times and then annually until the guide dog approaches retirement. There is a 24 hour emergency aftercare service, and the guide dog mobility instructors give extra support and training when required.

What breed are used as guide dogs?

Labrador Retrievers along with Golden Retrievers make very effective guide dogs. We also breed and train a small number of other breeds such as German Shepherds and Standard Poodles to try and find the very best match for every person.

Can the person choose the breed?

Yes, but it may take longer to get a less frequenty used breed.

How do you pick a guide dog for a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired handler?

Dogs are carefully matched to their handler according to the dog's characteristics and the handler's needs and lifestyle.

How many working guide dogs are there in NZ?

Around 300.

Are guide dogs allowed in restaurants?

Yes. Under the Human Rights Act 1993 and the Dog Control Act 1996 guide dogs, guide dogs in training, guide dog puppies and breeding stock are legally allowed access to all public places including restaurants.

What should I do when I meet a guide dog?

Always ask the handler's permission before touching or talking to a guide dog or guide dog puppy - you could jeopardise its training or put the safety of the handler at risk. Also, never feed a guide dog, they are trained to eat on command so they're not distracted by food while working.

Where do guide dog teams train?

They can learn from home, in a residential rehabilitation setting or a combination of both.

Can anyone have a guide dog?

Any registered member of the RNZFB can request a guide dog. Applicants must also be comfortable with the responsibility of caring for and working with a dog.

How much is a guide dog?

Each guide dog costs over $22,500 to breed, raise, train and match to a blind, deafblind and vision-impaired person. They are provided free of charge to RNZFB members who then meet the costs of food and veterinary services.

Where does Guide Dog Services get money from?

Guide Dog Services receives no government funding. Costs are covered solely by public donations, sponsorships and legacies.

How does a guide dog know where to go?

The guide dog is taught general locations during training. After that the handler teaches the guide dog other locations. The handler instructs the dog where to go and the guide dog guides the handler there safely.

Do all puppies become guide dogs?

No, about 30% don't work out. They become companion pets, working dogs with other NZ service dog organisations or are adopted as a pet through the guide dog adoption programme.

How many guide dogs are trained each year?

Around 60 qualify to be matched with a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person each year.

Do guide dogs have regular health checks?

They receive regular health checks and innoculations throughout their lives. This vet care becomes the responsibility of the handler once the guide dog team graduates.

If the handler no longer needs a guide dog, can the dog be rematched?

Yes. The average working life of a guide dog is 8-10 years.

How are guide dog staff trained?

Cadetships are available to New Zealand and overseas students. Courses are run in conjunction with Massey University and the qualifications are registered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

The length of course varies; a guide dog trainer takes two years to qualify and a guide dog instructor four years.

What is the International Programme?

Guide Dog Services has developed relationships with a number of countries.

The exchange of international expertise increases New Zealand's knowledge base.

For more information

phone: 0800 24 33 33

email: gds

website: www.rnzfb.org.nz

Related Links

Guide Dog Services
Puppy walking (brochure)
Please make guide dogs welcome (brochure)