Buzz
Dog waste can sneak up on you like a hidden weapon. Even those with perfect vision often don’t spot it until it's too late, sticking to the bottom of their shoes hours later. So how do individuals who are visually impaired manage to locate and dispose of these pesky hazards?
It’s important to note that not everyone who is legally blind or has a guide dog is entirely blind. Some still retain a bit of vision and can manage to clean up after their dogs without issue.
Regardless of the handler’s ability to see, it’s essential to remember that these dogs are highly trained professionals. They help their owners navigate through challenging environments, avoiding obstacles and preventing them from stepping into danger. This extensive training also includes teaching the dogs proper bathroom behavior.
When guide dogs begin their training as puppies, they are taught to link a specific verbal cue with the green light to squat. They only go when commanded. (The exact commands may differ — some I’ve heard are 'busy busy,' 'do your business,' and 'go time.') The dogs are also trained to remain calm when they’re touched while doing their business.
With a properly trained dog, a blind handler can issue the command to go and pet the dog once it’s found a spot to do its business. Dogs adopt different postures based on whether they are urinating or defecating, and by running their hand along the dog’s back, the handler can tell what’s happening. If the dog’s back is flat, it’s peeing — male guide dogs are trained to keep their legs down while peeing, mirroring the posture used by females — and no cleanup is necessary. If the dog’s back is rounded, the handler knows cleanup will be required. By feeling down to the dog’s tail, the handler can usually tell where the poop will end up. Once the dog is finished, the handler simply leans down with a plastic bag to collect the waste.
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