Volunteers asked for help in training guide dogs for people with beards, tattoos and piercings.
A new study by British researchers has revealed that nearly 1.2 million dogs in the UK are afraid of people with beards, tattoos and piercings. Nearly 2,000 people took part in the study and the results showed that overall, around 10% of all British dogs reacted with fear and confusion to people with beards, tattoos or piercings, writes the Daily Mail.
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At the same time, experts warn that puppies should be introduced to unusual physical attributes at a young age, which experts say helps socialize pets. As a result, the charity Guide Dogs has issued an appeal for people with beards, tattoos, piercings and other “distinctive features” to help train the next generation of guide dogs.
Research has also shown that it is not just traits unique to humans that cause reactions in dogs, but also other things, including:
- vacuum cleaners;
- mats;
- bicycles;
- baby carriages;
- big hats;
- bright jackets;
- uniforms and much more.
As a result, charities are looking for a wide range of volunteers with individual characteristics. Kennel staff want to include pets in the training, including cyclists, parents and those who already have dogs.
To help dogs feel comfortable in any situation, it’s important to give puppies a strong scent of calm, positivity and experience early in life and continue this into later life, according to Hayley Andrews, director of puppy training at Guide Dogs. Instead of constantly exposing puppies to everything, people should focus on introducing dogs to different situations at a comfortable pace and helping them respond calmly, neutrally.
Andrews emphasizes that volunteer trainers with different characteristics provide the environment and experience that a guide dog will need later in its life. As part of the trial, the charity has created a puppy socialization ‘checklist’ that should ideally be completed within the first 16 weeks of an animal’s life. This is expected to allow dogs to better adapt to a variety of daily situations.
Remember that the training process of a guide dog takes 12 to 16 months: during this time the puppies are prepared, the nursery helps them go through basic training and socialize. The charity covers all expenses related to training, meals and veterinary care. At the same time, volunteers receive guidance throughout the training period.
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Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.