How did your job with guide dogs start?

Four years ago I was admitted to the university in Brno and consequently moved there. I used to meet blind people with their dogs in the city quite often and I was always amazed about the way the can make their way through the city. Then me and my boyfriend saw there a dog in training wearing a jacket saying "Guide dog training school" and it made me check out the website of the training school in Brno. Right there, at the main page, was a sign saying they were looking for new guide dog caretakers. I read on about what it takes to be responsible for a puppy and eventually my partner convinced me we should try to contact the school. Back then though we could hardly afford to have a dog in a rented flat so we applied for a new flat with the posibility of having a dog there. A few months later the school let us know they had an 8-month old labrador puppy for us. Immediatelly we arranged a meeting with them and took Pluto home. Actually, his name was different at first, but he looked like a Pluto so we started calling him that.

What was it like to bring up a dog that would eventually take up the service?

The beginning was hard – our dog used to grow up in a village, so when he came to Brno everything was new for him. The first goal was to pee and poop outside, but he managed that after 10 days. Next, he had to get him used to the turmoil of the city – trams, lifts, escalators… I was determined to do anything to make Pluto grow up into a fine guide dog. We would often go out into the city so he was gradually getting used to everything. He is very inteligent and smart so he was improving very quickly. A much harder goal was to avoid his anxiety of people, but he eventually got over that too. Besides that we of course had to teach him to follow the orders. He learned very quickly and followed every order eagerly. From the very beginning we insisted we would stop on curb which he though was great fun. When he stopped with his paws on the curb, he looked at me eagerly as if he was saying "See how well I can do this? How about some treat?" When Pluto was one year old we started bringing him to the training school where he was getting ready for his mission. He learned there how to walk in a harness, find and mark a door or staircase and react to many other orders. Eight months later he was ready to make a reliable guide and we had to say our goodbyes. It nearly broke my heart, I don’t think I will ever love any other dog as much as Pluto. I’m very happy that him and his new owner make such a good match. When I see how much he adores the new owner it’s much easier for me to get over the fact he’s not ours anymore.

What are the hard and/or nice things about bringing up a guide dog?

Dogs need your time, your care and love, they need to know you believe in them. You have to be very consistent to make it clear that certain rules need to be respected. All your efforts are going to pay back after certain time. It makes you feel incredible if you know that it is your dog that is a reliable helper to somebody who needs and appreciates him, takes care of him and respects his personality. I get to see Pluto in the city from time to time leading his owner reliably and proudly and then I know our efforts were well worth it.

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