The Eyes That Lead: The Story of Guide Dogs for the Blind

By: Michael Tucker

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Synopsis: "For anyone who has ever seen a guide dog working, or is in the slightest bit interested in dogs, I recommend they read this book and share in some of the delights of a guide dog-trainer and maybe glean a little of the love and understanding that's shared between blind person and guide dog. " From the foreword by Sheila Hocken, author of the bestselling Emma books. Michael Tucker, the highly successful guide-dog trainer who now runs his own school, here distills twenty years of practical experience to produce a fascinating and wide-ranging account of how both dog and owner are taught their roles. The book describes the choice of dog and the history of the breeds, and follows the arduous traffic training, obstacle tests and temperamental assessments to which each animal is subjected. The author explains the guidance given to the owner in gaining confidence in his or her new companion, from the initial meeting to the difficult road manoeuvres which must all be mastered. This unique and heartwarming study will serve to shatter the myths of the uncanny intelligence of the dogs, and for the first time will explain for the general public and for those more intimately concerned, the full story lying behind every blind person and his guide.