Once the grown puppies return to our campuses from their puppy raising homes, the dogs are ready to learn the tools of the trade. They discover how to become not just well-behaved, meticulously socialized dogs, but professionals! Now, they are about to embark on the career for which they've been preparing. The dogs are taught by our Guide Dog training staff how to safely guide someone through the complexities of pedestrian travel. This training takes approximately two to three months.
What are the unique abilities that Guide Dogs have?
Our dogs are smart—very smart! In addition to learning how to lead a person safely around obstacles, Guide Dogs are also trained in "intelligence disobedience": if they are given an unsafe command, they are taught to not obey it (for example: refusing to step out into the street when there is oncoming traffic). Guide Dogs are also trained to have impeccable manners (for all those times they must visit places of public accommodation, such as restaurants, grocery stores and public transportation), and are capable of avoiding distractions (such as cats!). In addition, all Guide Dogs possess an eagerness to please and a willingness to work. They choose their profession!
Some of the skills Guide Dogs learn include:
- Leading a person in a straight line from point A to point B
- Stopping for all changes in elevation, including curbs and stairs
- Stopping for overhead obstacles, such as tree limbs
- Avoiding obstacles in their path
Two things Guide Dogs can't do:
- Determine the route to a new destination
- Read traffic signals
Guide Dogs take their cues and commands from their human partners; it's up to the person to determine the routes they take and if it is safe to cross a street. Through repetition, they may remember a routine course, but it is the blind person's job to know where they are at all times.
What are our methods of training?
Our dogs are trained with high value rewards of both food and praise. An abundance of rewards, including physical and verbal affection, builds motivation, confidence and produces a happy working Guide Dog. When a dog makes an error, verbal and leash/collar cues are used to gain the correct response so the dog can experience reward and refocus the dog on its work. At the moment the undesired action stops, and the dog follows a command, the dog is given abundant reward and heartfelt praise.
Our method of training also employs innovative training methods such as:
- Treadmill workouts
- Food rewards
- Clicker training
- Pattern training
When is a dog paired with a blind person?
Once the dogs have completed their training and has learned how to guide (see our Phases of Training for a description of what they learn each step of the way), they are ready to enter what we call "class training." This is when a fully-trained dog is matched with a student enrolled in one of our residential classes. Dog Day is a very special day—it's the day the dogs meet their new partners and begin the process of becoming a team (the person and dog collectively are known as a "Guide Dog team" or simply, a "team"). We are committed to pairing the right dog with the right person. Our extensive training ensures that the team is compatible in every area from communication styles to personalities. The team spends up to 28 days learning to work together in a variety of real-life situations. Graduation Day marks the end of class training and a new beginning for the team as they make their way in the world. It is a special day filled with a lot of love, as puppy raisers, graduates and Guide Dogs all take the stage to commemorate their achievements.
What's life like for a working Guide Dog?
What dog wouldn't envy the life of a Guide Dog? Guide Dogs get to go everywhere and do everything their partners do and they are showered with attention. From work and school, to shopping malls, restaurants and the hiking trail, Guide Dogs lead very active lives. When the harness is on, Guide Dogs are "all business" serious about their work, and focused on the safety of the team. When the harness comes off, however, it's play time!
How long is a Guide Dog in service?
Most Guide Dogs work until they are around 8 years old, but this varies with individual dogs and their lifestyles. After spending a life of devoted partnership, Guide Dogs deserve to spend their senior years in comfortable (and pampered!) retirement. They may remain with their partner as a pet, return to the home where they were raised, or be placed in a loving adoptive home. In all cases, they are honored and loved.
Learn More:
Learn about the phases of guidework training
Discover what it's like to be a Guide Dog mobility instructor
