Latest news with #Guide Dogs
BBC News
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Remote-controlled squirrel helps train guide dogs
A charity has found a "creative solution" to training assistance dogs which involves strapping toy squirrels to remote-controlled cars. Guide Dogs trains the animals to help support people who are blind or have visual Liebeskind, a trainer with the charity, told BBC Radio Merseyside made squirrels were ideal props for training because "they are everywhere they are fluffy, they are fast, they're erratic".She said: "We needed a creative solution to help prepare our dogs so that when they are they are guiding our owners they're not going to chase them." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
24-07-2025
- The Sun
Top five tips for training your dog from reinforcing behaviours to knowing when to give the treats
THIS ingenious device has been revolutionising the way guide dogs are being trained. Life-like toy squirrels attached to remote control cars are being used by trainers to help guide dogs become resistant to fluffy distractions. 4 It's an issue a lot of dog owners can relate to - as soon as you hit the park, your dog will dart off after the squirrel. But by mimicking an everyday situation in a controlled environment, the urge to chase can be eliminated - meaning they're able to focus on their job and qualify as effective guide dogs. It comes as research of 1,000 dog owners found 61 per cent say their pet is "easily distracted." Karen Brady, a training and behaviour business partner at Guide Dogs, which commissioned the research, said: "There is a lot of work that goes into training these dogs. 'There are many distractions a guide dog can face carrying out their duties for their owners. One moment of lost focus could endanger both parties, or those around them. 'That's why we've had to think creatively when designing training techniques that closely mirror real life situations. ' Dogs are intelligent beings. By positively reinforcing specific actions, we can train our dogs to resist the temptation to chase a squirrel up a tree, or other forms of wildlife they might come across whilst out and about. 'There is a strong focus on innovation at Guide Dogs and we are always looking at new ways to help enrich the learning experience of our dogs. 'It is not really common knowledge that we employ such techniques, so putting a spotlight on our squirrel car helps to broaden the awareness of how we train our dogs and get them ready to perform vital duties as Assistance Dogs.' Seeing other dogs on walks (51 per cent) and someone ringing the doorbell (47 per cent) were the main ways dogs lose their focus. Ireland's best dog friendly hotel revealed The study went on to find 42 per cent of dog owners will see theirs get distracted when the post-person arrives at the door. While 40 per cent won't be able to focus if a cat strolls past, and 35 per cent will dart for a squirrel climbing a tree. And only nine per cent of respondents said their pooch had never ignored a command because their attention was elsewhere. As 60 per cent sadly agreed on there being no serious chance of their pet ever having the focus needed to become a guide dog. 4 4 While 89 per cent admired how much dedication these life-changing animals can have, according to the figures. Karen Brady, of Guide Dogs, added: 'Taking your dog on a walk is great for both the dog and the owner. So, whilst you cannot eradicate all distractions and make your dog resistant to them all, it is important to know how to regain control and calm your dog down. 'Afterall, your dog is just excited by whatever has triggered its senses and now it wants to investigate. 'By keeping a cool head, the owner can avoid exacerbating the situation and calm the dog down quickly so that you can get back to enjoying your walks together.' DOG TRAINER KAREN BRADY'S TOP TIPS: 1. Focus on what you do want. Rather than thinking, 'I want my dog to stop chasing something', instead, think, 'I want my dog to act with this specific behaviour' as the goal. This gives you and your dog something to focus on teaching, like a really good sit action. 2. Patience makes perfect. Practice does too, but start with small expectations. A dog that has spent a year chasing squirrels isn't suddenly going to listen to you because you've decided to train them. Teach your dog to do the behaviour you want them to do away from all the distractions to begin with. 3. Train with something your dog really likes. You're competing with squirrels or cats, so you need something your dog values. That could be some roast chicken, their favourite treats, or a beloved toy. When they get it right, they get their prize. 4. Break it down. We never start training in the park full of squirrels and we certainly don't try to teach everything at once. We teach a specific behaviour through reinforcement training, then gradually bring in the distraction. As training progresses, we'll combine behaviour and the distraction. Gradually your training drills will go so well that your dog will automatically check in with you, ignore the distraction, sit, or continue guiding to their next kerb or walking politely on lead beside you. 5. Be kind to yourself. When it goes wrong, take a deep breath and plan for next time. Even the professionals make mistakes, we simply make it easier for the dog next time, and build up to the distraction at a slower rate. Slow and steady builds longer lasting results and resilience than rushing through the process.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blind woman takes on wing walking challenge in aid of charity
"People often have low expectations of blind people, and I want to combat that by attempting extreme things."Mel Griffiths says being blind motivates her to try extreme sports to show that blindness does not stop people from doing exciting things her latest venture, the 60-year-old will be reaching new heights - wing walking at 700ft (213m) to raise money for the Guide Dogs said: "I'm no good at cake sales and things like that - I'd much rather strap myself to a plane instead." Mrs Griffiths, from Arnold in Nottinghamshire, will complete the wing walk on 8 August at Wickenby in will be strapped on to a wing for about ten minutes and will travel at speeds of up to 120 mph (193km/h). Her inspiration came from watching people wing walking on an episode of Blue Peter 50 years added: "I remember watching it on telly and thinking, 'wow, I'd love to do this'."I've had poor eyesight ever since I was a little girl, and at the time, I didn't think wing walking was possible for someone like me."But now, I like to show off and prove to people that we can do anything. I've done everything from parachute jumps to abseiling - and it won't stop there!"In terms of preparation, Mrs Griffiths said she had spoken to the pilot in advance."[The pilot] told me he'd never worked with a blind person before, so that should be fun," she said. "He said he's never dropped anyone, though, so I'll be fine." Mrs Griffiths said her husband Gavin Griffiths was a massive inspiration. He is due to play at Wimbledon in August as part of a national competition for visually impaired said: "Me and him encourage each other - he pushes me more and more, and I do the same for him."We are both proving that the sky is the limit for people like us, and we hope we can motivate other people in the community to do the same."The pair are actually taking on their challenges on the same day - with Mrs Griffiths heading across to Lincolnshire and Gavin to Wimbledon on 8 August. Mrs Griffiths said she was wing walking on behalf of the Guide Dogs charity because it had supported her throughout her life."I got my first guide dog at 24, and she gave me the freedom and independence to live my life to the fullest," she has raised over £2,500 of her £5,000 target so added: "It now costs the charity around £100,000 to raise and train a guide dog from being a puppy to adulthood. "It's so important for them to keep going as guide dogs to enable people to live their lives to the fullest."Kim Hutchings, local community fundraising manager at Guide Dogs, said: "As a charity, we rely almost entirely on donations to keep our life-changing services for people with sight loss running."We wish Mel the best of luck with this exciting challenge and with reaching her fundraising target."
