A Guide Dog is trained to lead a person from point A to point B in a straight line; to stop for all changes in elevation (curbs, stairs); and to lead their partner around obstacles, including overhead obstacles that only the dog would be able to pass under. Their handler must know which direction to go to reach the desired destination in order to give commands for the dog to follow. At street corners, the person listens for the flow of traffic and decides when it is safe to give the dog the command to lead them across the street. The dog is trained to disobey the command if it sees a car approaching.
Guidework takes skill and communication.
The dogs must avoid distractions such as noises, interesting or unusual
smells, or other animals and people in order to concentrate on the work
of guiding. They communicate with their partner through the harness handle.
The handler learns to recognize and follow the dog's movement when it veers
from a straight line in order to avoid obstacles. The handler also knows
to proceed with caution when the dog slows or stops.
Training a Guide Dog takes an average of four months. As dogs are returned to the schools from their puppy raising homes they are assigned to teams of trainers. Each team is comprised of several apprentice instructors and headed by a licensed instructor. Each trainer is assigned seven to eight dogs through a training cycle.
Prior to the beginning of each dog's formal training their sensitivity level is evaluated. This information can help determine how to proceed in the training program with a particular dog. The dogs are also given thorough physical exams, including hip X-rays, by our staff veterinarians in order to determine if the dogs are fit, healthy, and ready to begin training.
Guide Dogs uses four breeds for training:
Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Lab/Golden
crosses. Each of these four breeds meets the basic requirements of a Guide
Dog: a willing and stable temperament, a realistic size and weight, and
an easily cared for double coat. Student breed preferences are always taken
into consideration during the process of matching them with a guide.
The Training Top
Guide Dogs are eager to please and willing to work. They enjoy accompanying their partners to their jobs, on shopping excursions and to many other activities.
Praise helps to maintain the dogs' confidence and positively reinforces their training. Negative behaviors are corrected and altered.
Physical and verbal affection (not food) are the methods of praise used to reward and train Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs work within environments where food is present and must learn to ignore food distractions. Our dogs' response to praise has been developed since they were pups - they thrive on it and will favorably respond in order to receive it.
Verbal and leash/collar corrections are the methods of correction used in Guide Dog training. They are used as a communication tool to instruct the dog to cease a behavior or action. They are given only after a dog has been shown what is expected but fails to do so. Therefore, the dog understands why it is being corrected. At the moment the negative action stops, the dog is given praise to communicate the desired action.
Corrections vary in severity with each individual dog and each individual situation. Some dogs are sensitive to a light correction, while others lack sensitivity and require firm corrections to gain a response. Corrections are given only as firmly as necessary to gain the response desired. Firm corrections are only given when a dog fully understands what is expected and repeatedly disobeys. Normal training progress necessitates some correction with even sensitive dogs. Dogs instinctively expect order to be demanded from a dominant character in their life, and in fact welcome it. A dog trainer is replacing the pack leader from whom the dog instinctively anticipates and welcomes dominance and leadership.
Without the will to please and work, dogs
cannot become guides. No dog can be successful as a guide without wanting
to work for and please the handler.
Training Phases Top
There are seven phases of training through which our dogs progress during their training cycle:
PHASE #1
Pre-training physical exam, neutering/spaying,
X-rays, eye checks. First walks on leash. Introduction to the community
run (20-30 dogs are allowed to socialize together in a large run) and kennel
schedule. Relaxing walks on the campus and play sessions with instructor
assistants. General daily care and grooming.
PHASE #2
Preliminary harness and obedience training.
On-campus training of leading into harness (pulling forward in harness)
and responses to guidework-specific commands such as "Forward," "Halt,"
"Hopp Up" and "Steady." Introduction to campus obstacle course on leash.
Potential breeding stock dogs are under evaluation.
PHASE #3
Harness training on sidewalks with a
moderate level of difficulty. Teaching guidework responses of : "Right,"
"Left," "Hopp Up," "Straight," and "Halt." Curb checks, early obstacle
clearance concepts and street crossings are introduced. Progressive obstacle
course training on campus. Obedience training continues. Mall exposure
walks and introduction to escalator approach (no boarding).
PHASE #4
Guidework training progresses on sidewalks
with a medium level of difficulty. All curb types and exposure to heavier
traffic conditions are introduced. Preliminary blindfold testing. Traffic
conditioning training. Mid-training health evaluations. Advanced obedience
training. Formal escalator training (boarding, riding and exiting). Introduction
to intelligent disobedience traffic response.
PHASE #5
Guidework training environment becomes
more challenging: pedestrian traffic, stairs, elevators, escalators and
different flooring surfaces. Formal traffic training program is completed.
Routes are worked in downtown city environments. City bus work. Advanced
obstacle course work on campus. Advanced obedience training. Sidewalkless
training in residential and country areas.
PHASE #6
Guidework routes in difficult and challenging
level work environments.Heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, wide crossings,
hectic atmosphere areas. Platform edge training and work on light rail
transit systems. Advanced obedience training.
PHASE #7
Final blindfold guidework testing. Final
traffic response training. Blindfold building testing. Final blindfold
obedience testing. Final "class ready" physical exam. Continued exposure
to a variety of work environments, ranging from quiet residential to busy
city.
Before moving on, take a
look at this amazing clip, where a dog is licking it's new born puppy.
Press here to view 
The clip was taken from this site:
http://www.surfari.net/~jimzim/cockers.html
Puppy
Raising 
Top
Puppy raising is an excellent way to have fun while being involved in community service. Adults and children nine years and older raise German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever puppies for the Guide Dog program. These pups have been bred from our specially selected breeding stock. When they are approximately two months old, the puppies are placed into the waiting arms of the dedicated raisers who will spend the next year preparing them for their special destinies.
Guide Dog puppies sleep inside the house and are members of the family. House breaking and basic manners are taught at an early age. To prepare them for their future work as guides, they are exposed to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, malls, offices, etc. Each raiser is asked to bring their pup to local meetings with other raisers to work on training techniques.
Fun Day is an annual theme event that takes place at the Guide Dog campuses. This event provides hands-on training by experts who show raisers how to shape their pups' behavior. Veterinary specialists are on hand for consultation, and puppy raisers have a chance to meet others who are involved in this important project. The day is full of activities which display the puppies' abilities and introduce them to new experiences. Fun Days are also held by puppy raising groups in their local areas.
The dogs are returned to our campuses when they are between 14-18 months old for formal training with licensed instructors. After approximately five months of preparation, they are paired with blind or visually impaired students from throughout the United States and Canada. These students come to our school and spend up to a month learning to travel with their new Guide Dogs as teams. Their instruction begins in rural areas and progresses to busy city streets. When the training is complete, the students and their dogs are ready to graduate. At the graduation ceremonies, which are open to the public, puppy raisers present the Guide Dogs to their new partners.
There are more than 1,000 families raising puppies for the Guide Dog program throughout the Western states. Club leaders and raisers receive valuable training and support from Guide Dog staff.
The contribution made by our puppy raisers
is paramount to the success of our dogs as guides. You can help give the
gift of sight. Guide Dog puppies are available for placement every month.
For more information, please contact the Puppy Raising Department at Guide
Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
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