Blindenhundeschule - Questions 
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Stiftung Schweizerische Schule
für Blindenführhunde
Markstallstrasse 6, CH-4123 Allschwil, T 061 487 95 95, F 061 487 95 90info@blindenhundeschule.ch, PC-Konto 40-1275-0
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A guide dog for you?
Interested in a guide dog? Then please click, here.
or phone us on
061 487 95 95
Frequently asked questions
How does a visually-impaired person go about obtaining a guide dog?
The visually-impaired person telephones us to make an appointment for a personal discussion and a tour of the school. After this initial contact, all those who meet the basic requirements attend an information course, during which participants have an opportunity to get to know some of our dogs and to decide whether a guide dog could give them the support they need. For us, the information course teaches us more about potential users, thus helping us to select the most suitable guide dog in each case. Next, the home conditions have to be clarified. On this occasion the home envi-ronment and perhaps also the area around the workplace are visited. We not only do this to ensure the best possible choice of dog, but also to settle such practical issues as: “where will the dog sleep” and “where can one go for walks?“
How much does a guide dog cost?
A guide dog costs about CHF 65,000.-, however the visually-impaired person receives the dog free of charge. The costs are borne by the Swiss Federal invalid insurance organization and - thanks to your generous donations - by our Foundation.
Where does the funding for a guide dog come from?
Guide dogs are “hired” by the Swiss Federal invalid insurance organisation. This pays the school a monthly fee of CHF 350.- for every working guide dog. The remaining costs are borne by our Foundation, which is funded by donations and legacies from private individuals and through the sale of promotional items.
What happens with dogs that prove unsuitable? Are they sold?
In the case of dogs that are not suitable guide dog material, we consider whether they would make good social dogs. If so, they are placed with people who would like to un-dergo this training with the dog and who are then prepared to accept regular assign-ments. If this training does not seem appropriate, the dog is placed with a family as a pet, priority being given to its former foster family. An important point is that our school retains ownership of the dogs throughout their lives.
Why are all guide dogs castrated?
Castrated dogs are basically easier to handle. Work in the harness can be hampered if a female is in heat or if competition develops among uncastrated males. Males will pester a female in heat and an uncastrated working male could well be attacked by other males. Such circumstances would make it impossible for the guide dog to concentrate on its work.
Are there other guide dog schools in Switzerland?
There are three other schools:
- the VBM, Verein für Blindenhunde und Mobilitätshilfen in Mägden
- the Ostschweizerische Schule für Blindenführhunde in Goldach
- the Ecole Romande in Brenles.
What requirements must a foster family fulfil? Does one need extensive experience with dogs?
Since so much time is required, the carer is unlikely to be able to undertake employment outside the home. If both partners are in part-time employment, the puppy’s care may be divided between them.
- There must be readiness to take part in regular training days at our school.
- Each member of the household must agree to the keeping of a foster dog.
- Any children must be at least 7 years old.
- A carer should live in or near a town. If country-based, he/she must be able to accustom the dog to a town environment at least 2 or 3 times a week.
- If a carer lives in rented accommodation, the property owner’s consent must be sought.
- The foster home does not need to have a garden.
- The family should not already have a dog of its own, since this would disturb our puppy’s development. Other animals, however, are desirable provided they are not aggressive.
How does a foster family manage to take in a dog for a year and then to give it back again?
Many foster families put their service to society first. They devote themselves heart and soul to raising their foster dog and that is why most of them are extremely sad when it is time for the dog to return to the school. Many are consoled by the thought that their foster dog will one day support a visually-impaired person in his or her daily life, or else they look forward to having a new foster dog.
Are there enough foster families?
Finding foster families is a challenging and ongoing task, particularly since our work would be inconceivable without the voluntary contribution of the foster family. Because each foster family decides differently after having had one dog – they might acquire a dog of their own, they might accept a new foster dog, or perhaps just wait while “their” dog is being trained so as to be able to take it back should it prove unsuitable for us - we are always on the look-out for new foster families.
Why may a foster family not have a dog of its own?
We are keen to ensure that the puppy develops into a safe dog and, above all, that it builds up a secure bond to “its” human. Furthermore, a dog already living with a family could influence (imitative effect) a foster dog’s development.
What are the duties of a foster family?
The foster family should integrate the dog into the family and raise it so that it has as many different experiences as possible. The young dog should be encouraged to de-velop in a specific way and should not be overprotected. Staff from the guide dog school support and advise the foster family throughout the dog’s development. They help the family to understand the dog and to handle it correctly. This also means ac-customing the dog – according to its stage of development - to various environments by taking it on outings into town and into the countryside and giving it ample opportu-nity to play with other dogs.
Don’t the dogs have major problems (homesickness) when adjusting from their foster family to life in the kennels?
Dogs cope with the changeover from foster family to kennels in very different ways. Some settle in very quickly and others need a little longer to adjust to the many new impressions. The trainer allocated to the new dog takes great pains to smooth over this transition period and to gain the dog’s confidence so that the two of them build up a secure bond. During this settling-in period the trainer spends a large amount of time with the dog, plays with it a great deal and also often takes it home.
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If the litter is a large one, are all the puppies allowed to live?
Yes, we always keep all the puppies. Should the mother not have enough milk, we bottle-feed the puppies.
How often do breeding females have puppies?
Generally speaking, females are covered once a year. This happens for the first time when they are 2 years old and not more than 5 times before they reach the age of 7.
Where do the breeding dogs live when they are not in the school?
Breeding females and breeding males spend normal lives as family pets and only come to our school to mate or to have their puppies.
Can one tell in advance if a puppy will make a good guide dog?
No. The way in which a puppy develops plays an important role.
Do you also use artificial insemination?
Yes, we do sometimes use artificial insemination, for example, if we would like to con-tinue the line of a male that lives far away. Thus, for example, a few years ago we received sperm from the guide dogs for the blind school in California and used that to impregnate one of our females.
Why does the Foundation Swiss School for Guide Dogs for the Blind have its own breeding unit?
Because this is the only way of ensuring that we always have enough dogs suitable for training.
Isn’t it difficult to have to hand back a dog which one has come to love?
Yes and no. Normally, a trainer continues to look after his or her dogs on a regular basis throughout their lives. This means that contact is never, in fact, totally lost. In addition it is, of course, the most rewarding experience for the trainer to see that a dog works well and enjoys a harmonious relationship with its visually-impaired partner.
How does the dog learn to cope with obstacles above its head?
When just a puppy in our school, a dog will have learned through play that it can also be interesting to look upwards. Later on, our trainers start with obstacles that are not very high off the ground and teach the dog to find a way around them. We then raise the height of these obstacles up to that of a human head.
How soon can one tell that a dog is not suitable for training?
Depending on the dog and on the problem or difficulty, it can take a few weeks or even a few months before a decision is taken to exclude it. When there are health reasons, or if the dog proves to be gun shy, we are able to decide more quickly.
Why are only Labrador retrievers trained? Is this the best breed? Are other breeds trained too?
It is also basically possible to train many other breeds and, of course, mongrels too. It is naturally important to have a medium-sized breed of dog that really enjoys working. Apart from Labradors, some sheep dogs breeds are used as guide dogs, as are golden retrievers, Airedale terriers or standard poodles.
The Labrador is a sturdy dog that is easy to care for. Apart from its enthusiasm for its work, it is also very independent, friendly to humans and other dogs and very adapt-able. These positive characteristics are undoubtedly the main reason why about 80% of the world’s guide dogs are Labrador retrievers.
Are the dogs often left alone? Why are they kept in kennels? Doesn’t that harm the dogs?
We do our utmost to ensure that our dogs spend as little time as possible on their own or unoccupied. Dogs are used to living in communities and need contact with their own kind and with humans. We always keep two dogs in each run. If the trainer is away – on follow-up calls, because of illness or holidays – and is therefore unable to work with his or her dogs, we have a special alternative programme whereby these dogs are kept occupied by a dog carer on an individual basis and according to their needs.
How long is each training session?
Depending on the stage in the dog’s training, this can vary from just a few minutes up to a whole hour’s uninterrupted guiding time. During training, our trainers always take the dog’s emotional state into account: indeed, this partly determines the structure of the lessons.
What are the commonest reasons for dogs to drop out?
There are many different reasons why a dog may prove unsuitable for training. The commonest are health considerations, inability to cope with stress, insufficient enthu-siasm for working and guiding, and visual or auditory insecurity.
Why are the spoken commands given in Italian?
Italian is very suitable for the 30 or more spoken commands since the language con-tains many more vowels than German. This makes it easier for the dog to distinguish between different commands.
How long does training last?
Training generally lasts between 6 to 9 months. However, if there are various interrup-tions to the training period (holidays, introductory sessions with new dog users, illness of dog or trainer) training can take longer.
Which is more suitable, a male or female dog? How do they differ?
Males and females perform equally well during training. Differences tend to arise be-tween individual dogs, irrespective of their sex.
Is the profession of trainer a full-time job? Do any special courses lead to this profession? What were the professions of your trainers before they came to the guide dogs school?
Being an instructor usually is a full-time job.
To become a guide dog instructor, candidates undergo a three-year traineeship in our school. The profession is recognized at a Swiss Federal level. We issue the instructor with our own diploma at the end of the training period.
An instructor’s job description covers a very wide range of activities. For this reason, a variety of professional backgrounds are appropriate.
What qualifications does a would-be trainer need?
- Excellent health and a robust physical constitution
- Social commitment, love of animals and understanding for the ways of animals
- An outgoing personality that gets on with people, team spirit and independence
- Enthusiasm and staying power; a sense of responsibility
- Languages: French and German
- Good mental health and perseverance
- Good school and general education, good social skills
- A completed apprenticeship (or similar) and a few years’ practical experience
- Age: 22 to 35 years
- Driving licence (vehicle category B)
Does a trainer work with several dogs at once? How is that done?
Each trainer works with 3 dogs. In every case he or she works with each dog individually, allocating the time according to the dog’s needs and the training level it has reached.
Have you ever had to break off introductory sessions and take guide dogs back because the two members of the team did not match?
We devote a great deal of thought to matching dogs up with visually-impaired individuals. Starting with their initial visit to the school, with the information course and the assessment of their home environment, we are generally able to create a well-matched team. There are, however, exceptions, despite the most meticulous preparatory work.
How does the dog know where the visually-impaired person wants to go? How does the guide dog find the nearest railway station?
The guide dog does not know where the visually-impaired person wants to go. The latter always has to tell the dog, though spoken commands, which direction he or she wants to take. This means that dog users need a form of “street map” in their heads.
What is the hardest part of the guide dog’s work?
Discerning high obstacles and avoiding other people. It is difficult for the guide dog to concentrate when passers-by or other dogs distract it.
How long can a dog’s guiding/working session last?
An experienced dog can guide for an hour or so at a stretch. However, this always depends on how difficult the route is.
How can one tell if the visually-impaired person and the guide dog are well suited?
Dog and human have to match in character and temperament. A very active person needs a lively dog that copes well under stress. A quiet person with an office job needs a dog that can lie peacefully under a desk for 3 hours at a time, if need be.
What about exercise and free time for a dog?
Even a guide dog needs time off. We recommend an hour’s walk or more once a day and at least four additional ”toilet breaks”’ of 15 minutes each. During the introductory sessions with a new dog user, the trainer will investigate spaces where the dog can run free.
Do blind people choose their own guide dog?
The school will choose the most suitable dog. If we have several equally appropriate dogs, then the visually-impaired person is free to choose.
What are the advantages of introductory sessions at the user’s home?
Introductory sessions at the user’s home enable the instructor to work out on the spot any difficult situations encountered by the team, the best routes to use and the places where the dog can run free.
What happens to guide dogs when they are too old to work or cannot guide for other reasons?
Guide dogs that can no longer guide, for reasons of poor health or old age, go into retirement. The school then takes the dog back, in consultation with the visually-impaired person, and places it with a suitable family where it remains for as long as it can enjoy its declining years.
What happens to the dog if its two-legged partner dies? Does it go to work with someone else?
If the dog is less than five years old, it is placed with another visually-impaired person. If it is older, it is given early retirement.