Can I give my dog for guide dog or service training?
No, it is not possible. For the selection of puppies implemented based on an assessment of their genetic characteristics, which are important for any guide dog, or service/ therapy dog.

How can I get a puppy for puppy walking program?
If you wish, you can contact  the office of the Guide dog and mobility association and Rehabilitation centre Silver and you will receive detailed information about this opportunity.

How long does puppy walking program last?
Puppy walking program, takes an average of one year, depending on the dynamics of maturation of each dog.

Who bears the costs  of the dog in puppy walking  program?
All meals, health care and the necessary equipment for a puppy, bears Centre for Rehabilitation of Silver.

Are there any rules that we must abide  while puppy walking program?
Yes, definitely. It is important that the dog at the time of socialization get used to all the circumstances in which we humans live, and to gain a good home training. In order to prevent shock by puppies it is essential that all the habits acquired gradually.

Do I get any technical assistance during puppy walking program?
Yes, professional team from Centre Silver  is in constant contact with the puppy walking families  and is available for any questions about the proper upbringing puppy.

What kind of dogs  are the  best for training?
Leading to the experience, we in Croatia mostly use Labrador retrievers and crossbreeds Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers. However, dogs handlers can use other breeds like German Shepherd, because there are people who prefer this breed, or Labradoodle for blind people allergic to doggie coat.

What do service dogs for persons in wheelchair do?
Service  Dogs as helpers for people in wheelchairs have an irreplaceable role in raising the quality of their lives. Their assistance is based on the bringing and raising items, opening doors, assisting in the transfer from bed to wheelchair, turned on and off lights, etc. They contribute to the independence of persons in wheelchairs.

What do service dogs for children  do?
Service dogs for children  are assigned to  family of children with disabilities with the aim of improving their development process as a motivational factor for the often lengthy and not always an easy exercise, communication development, games and care about each other. So far they showed an extremely valuable effects.

What are the requirements to get a guide dog?
Any blind person who has learned  the basics of orientation and mobility can became a guide dog. It is important to accept coexistence with the dog in the house, that is ready to receive training about how to use a guide dog and behave as instructed.  Friendship and attention between blind person and guide dog is the foundation for the successful creation of good mutual relations, which are  based on mutual loyalty and love.

How long clients  wait for such guide dog?
It depends on the possibility of convergence characteristics of  trained dog in relation to the characteristics of potential client. Sometimes the time spent on the waiting list is short, and some people can wait two years for example.

How does guide dog know in which direction to go?
Guide Dog for blind people see, but does not think. Blind person determinates the direction of movement.  As a student guide dog  learned 50 commands that represent the clients  direction, bypassing obstacles, such as finding a zebra, steps. . .

What happens one day when the dog stops working?
This is one of the most difficult issues faced by each guide dogs client. If this does not happen suddenly, then blind persons are preparing for retirement of their guides at the age about 9-10 years. An option is that dog remain in the wider family of the client, or the Association finds suitable accommodation for him or her. The association takes care of the dog as long as he lives.

How can I become a volunteer ?
Anyone who feel the need to do something socially useful, can join us in several areas:
1. As accomplices in some emergency situations that blind persons  - guide dogs clients  can find themselves in.
2. As valuable puppy walking families, devoting one year of their life raising and caring about the future assistance  dog, whether it is a guide dog or service dog for person in wheelchair or children with developmental difficulties.
3. Participate in the preparation and organization of various promotional events, which are aimed to raising public awareness  and raising funds for example, provide food for a dog,  to help in the care of a ill guide dog, etc.

What is the difference between training and disciplining a dog?
Training that is carried out in these programs of human roles that guide dogs provide  in  lives of persons with disabilities often requires of dog to reflect and decide what to do. When it comes for disciplining, it is a blind execution of orders issued.
The difference between training and disciplining is that when it comes of disciplining, dogs must have absolute obedience, while at training that is not necessary.

Why a guide dog can get into the public transport (tram, bus, train, plane,  taxi) and my pet dog can not?
We live in a society that still does not have this level of civilization that is generally accepted that the behaviour of dog suits his owner. When we reach this level, then the pets will be able to use the means of transportation and other public facilities.
When it comes to  assistance dog clients (guide and service dogs) they can go into any means of transportation and all public facilities according to the The law about the free movement of a visually impaired person with guide dog (nn 131/98)..
In conclusion, these dogs are at all those places because of the needs of their users, and not because of their desire to just be there.

Does the association operates only in Zagreb?
Headquarters of the Guide Dog and Mobility Association is   in Zagreb, but it works to meet the needs of all users in Croatia - from Vis to Ilok, from Cakovec to Umag , and all the way to Dubrovnik ....