Guide Dog Training programs - For Golden Retriever Owners

While guide dog training programs vary among the organizations and schools that work with visually impaired and blind people, there tend to be some similarities in principles and methods.

Here's a brief overview of the way these amazing service dogs are generally raised and trained.

Guide Dog Training Begins At Puppyhood

Dogs that will become guide dogs (also called seeing eye dogs) are picked as puppies. To make sure only the most suitable dogs are chosen, many guide dog organizations breed their own puppies.

Other organizations use donated puppies, as well. These puppies spend their early months in foster homes with families who volunteer to take care of them. These foster parents are called "puppy walkers."

The puppy walkers housebreak the puppies. They also teach them good manners and how to get along in the family.

This socialization period is a very important part in the process of helping adult guide dogs be able to adapt to any situation they might encounter "out in the world" with their blind partner.

As well as learning simple obedience, these puppies accompany their foster family everywhere they go. They visit stores and malls, walk with them near noisy traffic, and ride on public transportation.

To minimize problems, these little workers often wear a service dog vest that identifies them as guide dog puppies-in-training.

Is there anything more adorable than fluffy Golden Retriever puppies wearing those cute little vests?

How Are Guide Dogs Trained?

At this point the puppies return to the school to begin their formal guide dog training.The puppies live with their foster families until the dogs are about fifteen to eighteen months of age.

First they undergo a thorough physical examination. That will uncover any problems that might prevent them from being a seeing eye dog.

All dogs are neutered or spayed at this time, except those who are being considered for the breeding program. Each dog trainer works with several dogs. Positive reinforcement methods are used, including clicker training.

Using gentle methods helps these sensitive, intelligent dogs understand what is wanted of them. The first step is to teach the dogs basic obedience commands. These include Come, Sit, Down, and Stay.

Each dog must also learn to work in harness and master the commands Forward, Left, and Right.

The dog trainers carefully work with their charges through progressively challenging situations. They need to prepare the dogs to be able to meet their future partner's lifestyle requirements.

When the guide dog harness is on, the dogs are "all business." They focus on getting their partners where they need to go.

When the harness comes off, it's play time! They enjoy being "just a pet" as much as any other dog during their "off duty" hours.

Guide dog training begins at the organization's facility and in quiet rural areas.

First, every dog learns to walk at an acceptable pace for a blind owner. Then they progress to a residential area. This is a good place for the instructor to teach the dog to stop for curbs, and to make left and right turns.

Then they move on to a busier section of the city, with more pedestrians and heavy traffic.

Here he learns to cross a street in a straight line, work around obstructions, and pay attention to moving traffic. He will then begin working in stores, buildings, elevators, and stairways.

The next step is training in a major downtown metropolitan area. Here, in very heavy traffic, the dog must show initiative and responsibility in order to get around safely.

He also receives training in how to deal with such challenges as public transport, car travel, supermarkets, shops, locating road crossings, finding doors and going in elevators.

The instructor, now blindfolded, will then work the dog. If the team passes the test, the dog is ready for his new blind master, who, in many cases, has been waiting for over a year.

What If a Dog Doesn't Make It?

Not all of the dogs complete the guide dog training program. Some are disqualified at this point if there is any evidence of a physical ailment, or if they exhibit any inability to learn obedience. But there is no stigma attached--these are still terrific dogs!

If the dog is dropped from the program for any reason, the family that raised him has the option of taking him back. Most organizations also have a long waiting list of families who want to adopt the so-called rejects.

Some of the dogs that aren't suited to become guide dogs for the blind may be donated to organizations that train dogs for people with other types of disabilities, or for detection or search and rescue work.

It Takes Teamwork

It's finally time to match up the dogs with their new partners. Blind students are individually assessed to find the right dog to suit each individual. Golden Retrievers have been found to be among the most adaptable breeds, suiting a wide variety of different needs and circumstances.

The students and dogs will spend about a month together at the school. That's where they learn to work as a team under the supervision of an experienced instructor.

Together they practice going to stores and riding buses, crossing streets, and anything else the owner regularly does.

In addition, the owner is taught how to take good care of his new four-legged partner.

When the instructor finally thinks both dog and master are ready, they "solo." As the instructor watches, the two go out and navigate the world on their own.

Even after they graduate from the guide dog training program, most schools stay in touch, often for the whole time they're together. They want to be sure they're getting along well, and to help solve any problems that crop up.

Who Pays For The Training?

From breeding, birthing and puppy-walking to professional guide dog training, client training, and follow-up, producing a guide dog is a painstaking process.

It's also expensive. It costs about $10,000 in the U.S. to raise and train a dog. But the people who receive a trained guide dog pay nothing. All the money comes from donations.

In return, the sightless receive a new life of independence and self-confidence. Priceless!

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