Hannah Gray takes a stroll with Guide Dogs for the Blind:

Strolling around John Lewis with a German Shepherd is not top of the list of things I ever imagined myself doing.

Walking a guide dog puppy is a surreal experience, as you end up taking an animal to places you wouldn't normally be allowed.

As such, you are very visible, and people do look – but I found that they are generally looking in a nice way, because they think the dog is cute and also rather clever for what he is training to do.

Puppy walking must be great fun for anyone who has the time. Dogs are such intelligent, affectionate creatures, and to know that the work you are doing with one will do some good must be hugely rewarding.

But while it's lovely to stroke a dog as handsome as Isaac, you also have to remember that your role is to prepare him for his training.

As such, walking a guide dog puppy is not the same as taking a stroll with your pet.

While you may think you discipline your dog, with guide dogs a whole new layer of commands and training is needed.

The dogs have to be encouraged to walk in the correct position, which is with their back legs level with yours, as this is the position they will need to be in when they are wearing a harness.

Isaac was very good, but did occasionally, in his youthful exuberance, skip ahead. In these cases, I had to say "steady", and give a gentle pull on his lead, which quickly got him to slow his pace.

At stairs, guide dogs are taught to stop at the top and wait for the visually impaired person to put a tentative foot on the first step and assess the width of it. To get Isaac to do this I had to say "stand", in a singing voice.

Different voices are used for different commands in order to help the dogs differentiate between them, for example "sit" is said in a harder tone.

Isaac was very good at listening to me, especially given that his "mum", Hannah, was nearby and it must have been confusing to have a different boss.

As someone who loves dogs, I can't think of a better way to help out a charity – especially if you end up looking after a puppy anywhere near as cute as Jon or Isaac.

More personal experiences of Guide Dogs for the Blind:

• Hannah Newman: 'You get attached, but know they'll be someone's eyes'.


• Leigh Saunders: Helping to get puppies on the path to success.


• Marcus Rawlings: 'It was me who needed training, not dog'.

External links and information:

• If you would like to find out more about becoming a puppy walker, you can call Guide Dogs for the Blind on 0845 371 7771. On Tuesday, August 19, Notcutts Garden Centre in Oundle Road, Orton Waterville, is holding an All About Dogs Day, where you will be able to meet puppies and see the Guide Dogs display team. The event will start at 10am. Or visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering for more information.


• Guide Dogs for the Blind - www.guidedogs.org.uk.


• Sponsor a Puppy - www.guidedogs.org.uk