The training of a seeing eye dog is rather difficult because a lot of responsibility is placed upon the dog to keep his or her owner safe. Many individuals are in awe of these dogs because of everything that they do. But that is because the training that they have received is quite strenuous and started when they were puppies, which can be as young as eight weeks old. However, they are usually not ready to be assigned to an owner until they are about two years old. This is how long it takes to make sure these dogs are ready to do what it is they need to do to keep their owner safe.
As for the breeds that are commonly used as seeing eye dogs, the Labrador Retriever is a very common breed. These dogs are very good at being seeing eye dogs, but they are also dogs that remain immature for quite some time. That is why these dogs are still considered to be puppies until they are around the age of three. Another breed that is considered to be a very good seeing eye dog is the Golden Retriever. Retriever breeds are great for training because they are intelligent and are genetically predisposed to serve.
The training program
The dogs do receive their standard obedience training as young as 7 or 8 weeks in a foster home. The puppy is taught to obey their owner out of love. This requires that he puppy is trained using positive techniques such as positive reinforcement. This means that intimidation techniques are not used at all. This is because it is important that a seeing eye dog serves his or her owner out of love and not fear of the owner.
After learning obedience through love and not fear, the dog is then sent to a training facility at around 1 or 1 1/2 years of age to learn the more complex skills of being a seeing eye dog. The dog has to work with an instructor on the obedience commands that were taught in the foster home. This teaches the dog the ability to transfer commands from one individual to another. This skill is very important when being placed with a visually impaired individual.
Once the basic obedience commands are refined, it is time to start on the advanced commands. This includes teaching the dog to walk forward, turn right and left, and stopping at curbs. The dog is taught that their owner will be harmed if they do not stop at curbs. The dogs are also taught to navigate around objects that are both moving and are stationery. The dog learns that their owner will trip and fall if the dog does not do this.
A great companion
It is obvious that a seeing eye dog makes for a great companion. There are other skills that the dogs are taught such as navigating traffic, guiding the owner onto a subway or into a taxi, avoiding distractions, and other things that the owner will encounter during the course of a day. Once the dog has undergone all of this training, the trainer then blindfolds him or herself and lets the dog guide them. This is how they know the dog is ready. In no time, the dog will be placed into the home of a visually impaired individual in serious need of a guide dog to help them function. Not only do they end up with a guide, but they have a companion who means the world to them.
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2008-08-22 18:13:39 
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