Guide Dogs – School Training

Even if a dog possesses all of these quality, it still may be determined that the dog is a poor candidate. Training instructors will screen out dogs even if they are intelligent if they possess aggressive or nervous tendencies or if they have extreme reactions to cats or other dogs. After the instructor has spent some time with the dog, a decision is made whether or not the dog is suited for additional training. If the dog is not quite ready, some schools send the dog back to the puppy raiser or place the dog in a more suitable job, such as tracking. If the dog is simply not suitable for any additional training, the school works to find the dog a permanent home, usually offering it to the puppy raiser first.

At the school in New York, “Guiding Eyes for the Blind”, only about half of the returning puppies stay at the school. A small percentage become breeding stock for the school, and the remainder are considered for the training program. The training is an extreme process for the dogs and the instructors, but it is also a lot of fun. The dog’s training is usually for a period of four to five months. Once a trainer has introduced what is expected of the dog, they either reward correct performance or punish incorrect performance.

Unlike obedience training, guide dog training cannot use food as a reward for good performance due to the need for guide dogs to be able to work around food without being distracted by it. Instead of food, trainers use praise or other reward systems to encourage correct performance. The standard means of correction is pulling on the dog’s leash, so that it pulls a training collar, giving the dog a slight pinch. Using this basic reward/punishment system, instructors work through the necessary skills for guiding.

The first step in training is the trainers knowing how to walk like guide dogs. ?Guide dogs are trained to walk in a straight line without distraction, while keeping pace to the left and just ahead of the handler. The dogs have to respond to leash corrections and verbal commands. This process continues throughout the entire process and serves as a tool to build the dogs’ concentration level. The dogs learn to stop at all curbs and how to judge potential dangers before crossing a street.

Many schools have simulated street lights at their schools so the dogs can learn how to mastery a variety of traffic situations. The dogs have to learn how to walk and lead their masters around cars and spot potential dangers. In order to continue in the program.

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