Training a guide dog is a multifaceted process that transforms a well-behaved dog into a lifeline for a visually impaired person. At Leader Dogs for the Blind, this transformation involves a structured, phased approach, building upon the foundation laid by volunteer puppy raisers. The formal guide dog training typically begins when the dogs are between 12 and 15 months old, focusing on specialized skills essential for safe and effective guidance.
The training program is divided into four distinct phases, each designed to progressively challenge the dogs and hone their abilities. Guide dog mobility instructors work in teams, each responsible for a “string” of approximately eight dogs. This diversity in the string is crucial, ensuring a variety of sizes, breeds, and temperaments to ultimately match the right dog with the right client.
The Four Stages of Guide Dog Training
1. Foundations
The foundation phase is all about building a strong relationship between the instructor and the dog while reinforcing basic obedience skills. Instructors work on skills previously taught by puppy raisers, such as loose leash walking, settling calmly, and obeying commands like “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” This phase helps the dogs understand that these skills are transferable to a new handler.
Instructors use positive reinforcement, such as praise and low-calorie treats like Charlee Bears, to motivate the dogs. The dogs are also introduced to the guide harness and curb work, which involves training them to stop at curbs before crossing streets. The first two weeks are spent on the Leader Dog campus, gradually progressing to quiet streets to practice basic cues.
2. Basic
The basic training phase builds upon the foundational skills, introducing more complex guide work. This includes stopping at curbs, maintaining a straight line of travel, avoiding obstacles, making turns, and stopping for traffic. New skills are also introduced, such as locating an empty chair.
Training often takes place in downtown Rochester, utilizing a dedicated training facility as a “home base.” This allows instructors to expose the dogs to a variety of environments, from quiet neighborhoods to busy main streets.
Group obedience classes are also incorporated to ensure the dogs respond to instructors on an individual basis, even with distractions. Veterinary check-ups and blindfold exams, where the instructor navigates a route while blindfolded, are conducted to assess the dog’s progress. A spotter always accompanies the blindfold exam to ensure safety.
3. Intermediate
Intermediate training focuses on expanding the dog’s skills to handle more challenging situations, including country travel and navigating larger urban areas. By this stage, the dogs should have a solid grasp of basic skills and meet the required standards.
Country travel involves training the dogs to walk safely on the left side of the road in areas without sidewalks. More complex guide skills, such as recognizing overhead obstacles, demonstrating traffic responsibility (slowing down or stopping when a vehicle enters their path), and exhibiting intelligent disobedience (disobeying a command to avoid a hazard), are also taught.
Intelligent disobedience is a crucial skill that allows the dog to protect its handler from potential dangers. For dogs destined for clients in the Deaf-Blind program, additional skills like alerting to sounds, such as doorbells or knocks, may be incorporated.
During this phase, instructors and the client services team begin the “pre-matching” process, considering factors such as the client’s living environment (urban vs. rural) to tailor the dog’s training accordingly.
4. Advanced
The advanced phase represents the pinnacle of guide dog training. Dogs are exposed to the most challenging environments, including heavy traffic, busy streets, and complex obstacles. Detroit serves as a prime location for this phase, offering a wealth of distractions and unique scenarios.
The last week of advanced training involves a transition to quieter residential areas, preparing the dogs for their new lives with their handlers. Instructors review videos of incoming clients to understand their daily travel environment and walking pace, facilitating the best possible client-dog match.
Approximately 25-30 dogs are ready for clients at this stage, ensuring ample options when making a match. The dogs undergo a final health exam and a second blindfold exam, navigating a less familiar route with more complex obstacles. Successful completion of this assessment signifies that the dog is “class ready.”
Class: The Beginning of a Partnership
The “class” phase marks the beginning of the partnership between the guide dog and its new handler. Clients arrive at Leader Dog’s campus and spend the first two days engaged in JUNO training. During JUNO training, the instructor simulates the role of the dog, allowing the client to learn the commands and mechanics involved in working with a guide dog. This process also allows instructors to evaluate the compatibility of the dog-client match.
Dog issue day is a momentous occasion, where the dogs are introduced to their new handlers in a private setting. The rest of the day is dedicated to bonding and familiarization. The new handler-dog teams then embark on their first walk together on the campus practice course.
Instructors provide close support initially, gradually reducing their involvement as the team progresses. Over the following weeks, the teams practice in various environments, from quiet residential areas to busier settings, solidifying their skills. They also work on specific goals tailored to the client’s needs, such as navigating a college campus.
After three weeks of intensive training, the clients and their Leader Dogs return home, ready to integrate into their daily routines. The culmination of a year and a half of growth, learning, and practice provides the foundation for a visually impaired person’s independent travel and enhanced quality of life.
You can be a part of this life-changing journey. Consider becoming a puppy raiser or explore our Guide Dog Training program to learn more.
