Winnie is currently learning the skills and confidence needed to navigate busy public spaces as part of her early assistance dog training.
Most people know not to pet a guide dog while they’re working. But many South Africans are surprised to learn that guide dogs begin learning basic social skills long before they are trained and paired with a handler.
As Winnie, a young puppy in the South African Guide-Dogs Association’s (SAGDA) programme, starts exploring the world around her, her story provides an opportunity to raise awareness about how members of the public can support these important working animals.
How Do You Identify a Guide Dog in Training?
Guide dogs in training are often accompanied by volunteer puppy raisers or trainers and may wear identifying jackets, harnesses, or branded equipment indicating that they are part of a training programme.
