Latest news with #GuideDogsCharity
BBC News
24-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Guide Dogs: How a remote controlled squirrel is used in training
Training guide dogs is no easy task - it takes time, patience and fluffy toy squirrels strapped to remote control charity Guide Dogs train up dogs to help support people who are blind or who have other visual part of training dogs for such an important job, they need to make sure they are able to give their full focus to the owners they are squirrel-car, which Guide Dogs say is the perfect training tool to help guide dogs learn to resist distractions. What does a guide dog do? Guide dogs have a very important job - to help support their owners in their day-to-day could be as simple as guiding them around trip hazards or helping them cross dogs can also help their owners plan routes and find objects like door knobs or stair breeds are chosen for their abilities to work well with people, remember information and follow golden retrievers and German shepherds are all breeds that can make great guide dogs. So, what's the deal with the squirrel car?A survey of 1,000 dog owners from the charity Guide Dogs found that 61% say their pet is "easily distracted".And 35% say their dog will dart for a squirrel climbing a squirrel car helps train new guide dogs not to be distracted by things that a dog might understandably be distracted training with the squirrel-car can help a guide dog learn to focus on the task at hand, and not an enticing-looking Brady, Training and Behaviour Business Partner at Guide Dogs said: "There is a lot of work that goes into training these dogs."That's why we've had to think creatively when designing training techniques that closely mirror real life situations."
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Guide dogs attend Royal Ascot as part of training
Guide dog puppies have been attending Royal Ascot as part of their socialisation training ahead of the race research from the Guide Dogs charity suggests nearly one in eight dogs can be "confused and scared" when confronted with oversized puppies, who range from 12 weeks to 10 months, were exposed to "new sights, sounds, and scents" to help their development advisor at the charity Chloe Southby said Royal Ascot offered a "unique training opportunity" of being exposed to "extravagant hats and fascinators". Ms Southby said: "Some dogs are wary of new or unusual objects like hats and may find them unsettling, especially when worn by someone they know. "It can make familiar people seem unfamiliar."That's why environments like Ascot are so valuable for socialising our puppies – helping them grow into confident guide dogs who can support people."Corporate social values manager at Ascot Racecourse Jacqui Greet said: "We are proud to provide an accessible environment for all racegoers and welcome any guest with an assistance dog." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Hull guide dog user warns taxi drivers to follow law
A man with a severe sight impairment has issued a warning to taxi drivers telling them they have to accept guide dogs by law. Nathan Major-Kershaw, 29, from Hull, said he had experienced drivers complaining when he had brought his dog Jackson into their cars, with one saying he could refuse to accept him as a passenger. The BBC has contacted the taxi firm he uses for a response. In a social media post headed "this is a message for the city's taxi drivers", Mr Major-Kershaw said: "If you do refuse to take a guide dog, you can, and will if it happens to me, be reported to licensing and have your licence revoked." Mr Major-Kershaw said, when he took a taxi in Hull, the driver complained he would have to clear dog hair from his vehicle after the said the driver told him he had the right to refuse to take him as a passenger if he chose. The Equality Act 2010 states taxis must carry guide dogs and other assistance its website, the charity Guide Dogs states: "If the passenger is a guide dog owner, it is a criminal offence to refuse to carry their dog or to charge extra for doing so. "The only exception to this is if the driver has a medical exemption certificate from the licensing authority due to a genuine medical condition that is aggravated by exposure to dogs."Mr Major-Kershaw said he asked the taxi driver if he had an exemption certificate but he did his post he said: "If you're going to drive a taxi, learn your legal obligations when it comes to disabled passengers".Mr Major-Kershaw said he had since got in touch with the taxi company which said it would talk to the driver. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
