[WEEKENDER] A day with Jerry, guide dog in training

Jerry, a Labrador retriever in training, approached a crosswalk during a recent morning session at the Samsung Guide Dog School. Without being told, he naturally stopped at the curb, understanding the distinction between the sidewalk and the road. To reward his successful behavior, Keum Jung-hun, Jerry's trainer, pressed a clicker device, emitting a distinct sound.

This auditory signal informs Jerry that he has executed a task correctly. While verbal praise takes more time, the clicker allows trainers to mark the precise moment of a well-performed action. Jerry, almost 2 years old, is undergoing comprehensive training to become a guide dog. The Korea Times had the opportunity to observe him during a training session at the Samsung Guide Dog School on November 2nd.

The school, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is entirely supported by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance. After a period of six to seven months of professional training, Jerry successfully completed his final walking assessment. He is now progressing through the final stages before being matched with a visually impaired individual.

Jerry and his trainer, Keum, were seen together on a morning training walk outside the school grounds near Bundang Central Park in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. This training walk highlighted the importance of the clicker in guiding dog training, as it enables trainers to precisely acknowledge and reinforce Jerry's accomplishments.