Marcsi-futi started from friendly connections and has grown into a larger circle of friends and a professional community. We develop the guide dog trainees, we learn a lot from our trainer and from each other — all while having a great time.
Shared programs and outings have become a kind of small celebration for our dogs. In every respect, they benefit the puppies, the young dogs in training, the adult dogs, and the owners. Many years ago, our trainer Mária Nyíriné Kovács used to go walking together with only one or two puppy raisers. Thanks to the good atmosphere and word-of-mouth, today a group of 15–20 regularly gathers on weekends.
The group most often meets at Memento Park , where they walk for 2–3 hours, chat, take photos, and at the same time complete tasks. The puppy raisers and their dogs take turns, but there are also some who return even after their dog has gone into formal training — because the attraction of the community remains.
Years ago, a few of us started going for walks with our dogs simply because we enjoyed each other’s company. Over time, more and more people joined the program, as everyone appreciated ending the day pleasantly tired while the dogs had a great run as well. Today, we have become a real little community.
There is always a cheerful atmosphere — we help develop the dogs, I provide professional guidance, the raisers learn a great deal from one another, and in the meantime, we genuinely enjoy ourselves. “Marcsi-futi” started out as a circle of friends and, fortunately, has grown into a larger community of friends and professionals.
said Mária.
Marcsi-futi has become a tradition among puppy raisers
It is important that the young dogs learn to communicate “in dog language” in a safe, structured environment. They meet well-socialized, healthy dogs raised according to the same principles, and they can observe when it is (and is not) appropriate to run up to another dog, how to play nicely, what counts as too much, and when play may escalate into a scuffle that not both parties necessarily enjoy.
Dogs of different ages, skill levels, and temperaments meet during these sessions, and everyone finds the company that suits them best. The knowledge that growing puppies absorb during these shared outings later proves invaluable.
A well-socialized dog that navigates the world with confidence is less likely to be startled and less prone to overreacting to situations. As a result, living and working together later becomes much easier, and handling new situations in everyday life is smoother — which is both a great relief and a source of joy for our visually impaired clients. The dogs also practice agility exercises: for example, jumping onto fallen tree trunks, which develops their hind-leg awareness and later helps them move confidently in urban environments, such as stepping onto vehicles with higher floors.
Mária Nyíriné Kovács with the large team of guide dog trainees at Marcsi-futi
These shared programs help release excess energy. The abundance of stimuli — varied terrain, scents, sounds, and the lively group — mentally tires the dogs as well.
During the walks, we have time to talk and grow closer to one another. The raisers receive professional advice as needed, we keep a shared eye on the puppies, and the dogs greatly enjoy each other’s company and the natural surroundings. It is wonderful to see the puppies’ development, how they become more and more skilled, and meanwhile each of them grows close to my heart — I form a bond with every one of them. The group has shaped itself into something like a family, where a new dog is always arriving and is warmly welcomed by everyone. It is heartwarming to see the team’s enthusiasm and how happy they are each time we can be together again,
Mária concluded.
And what about the handlers? They, too, gain new friendships, tips, shared experiences, and plenty of laughter. Moreover, when we explore a new route together, it becomes true teamwork — and these shared experiences further strengthen the bond between dog and handler.
Many people all over the country are waiting for our guide dogs!
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Baráthegyi Guide and Assistance Dog School Foundation
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