Why chasing a ball is forbidden for puppies being trained as Guide dogs

But it’s an instinct that has to be discouraged – albeit with great difficulty – in puppies destined to be guide dogs for the blind.

This is patently obvious at a recent obedience class when four pairs of liquid brown eyes are trained on puppy walking supervisor Ali Firbank.

She’s kicking a football tantalisingly close to where the latest crop of raw recruits is lined up.

And judging by the yelps of excitement as they strain against their leashes, they’re finding it extremely hard not to follow in hot pursuit.

It’s a losing game for the youngster of the group, Nobu, who breaks free from owner Sarah Butler of Stanbridge and lunges at it.

But he’s soon back under control and ready for the next lesson in the hour-long obedience session.

Ali explains: “This is the baby group.

“We run one a week for four weeks when we teach the pups to be calm and ignore distractions.

“The classes are very structured, an opportunity for walkers to practise handling techniques.”

She added: “It’s important that commands are calm and consistent and that the puppies learn how to behave with other dogs while remaining focused on their handler.

“Then everything can be consolidated in their home environment.”

The Luton News has been following the progress of cross Labrador/German Shepherd Kez, who is now five months old.

His walker, Offley grandmother Barbara Halliwell, has looked after 13 prospective guide dogs.

She said: “Kez is coming along nicely. He’s quite vocal, but that’s to be expected with a Shepherd cross.

“He comes with me to Riding for the Disabled two days a week. He has to sit quietly while we’re working with the horses, then I let him have a good run in the woods.

“He’s also visited residents at a home with sheltered accommodation for a pat and a chat.

“He’s already travelling on the bus and it doesn’t seem to worry him too much.

“And he’s learning to walk on the lead, at variable speeds. I’ve taken him into shops and cafes where he sits quietly under the table.

“It’s mainly getting him used to traffic, walking round supermarkets, going into the bank, things like that.”

But Kez is still a puppy at heart and Barbara’s home is full of toys.

“He’s destroyed most of the soft ones,” she laughed. “But he loves his rubber kongs.

“There are no balls, obviously. I don’t want to encourage him to chase.”

And he’s taken part in his first fundraising initiative.

Barbara said: “He stands still while I rattle collection boxes. It’s good training. He gets lots of strokes.”

Kez will stay with Barbara until he’s about 14 months old, when he will go to the guide dog equivalent of college.

> For more information visit www.guidedogs.org.uk