The guide dog doesn’t know that the scavenger can’t see. The work of a guide dog is based on a series of training and conditioned reflexes, rather than on an understanding of the dog's visual abilities. They are trained to respond to specific commands and situations, such as guiding the shoveler to safely cross the road or avoid obstacles. These behaviors are established through long-term positive reinforcement training and are not based on the perception of the person's visual condition.

The smart thing about guide dogs is that they can be keenly aware of the needs of their owners and respond accordingly according to their training Take action according to the instructions in . However, this does not mean that they understand the visual limitations of the shovel. They rely more on tacit understanding and trust with the shoveler, as well as skills acquired through training to perform tasks.