Training – Guide Dogs for the Blind Breeder

Phase #1

Pre-training physical exam
Neutering/spaying (with the exception of potential breeding stock dogs who are under evaluation at this time)
X-rays
Eye checks
Relaxing walks on campus and play sessions
Introduction to the kennel environment and schedule
General daily care and grooming

Preliminary obedience training
Exposure to distractions (toys, food, other dogs, cats, etc.)
First on-campus workouts with a harness
Introduction to the BEST program training techniques (including treadmill sessions)
Sessions to teach guidework-specific commands (such as “Forward,” “Halt,” “Hop Up” and “Steady”) and the desired responses to the commands
On leash introduction to the campus obstacle course

Guidework training in quiet residential areas
Frequent rides in the training vans
Introduction to more advanced guidework commands and responses (“Right,” “Left,” and “Over Here,”); continued training on commands learned in Phase #2
Introduction of curbs and street crossings
Progressive obstacle course training on campus
Continued obedience training
Mall exposure walks
Dog social sessions
Neutering/spaying for those dogs dropped from the breeder-watch list

Progression of guidework training: more difficult sidewalks in busier sections of downtown areas
Training on more complex street crossings and curbs
Obstacle clearance initiated by the dogs; they begin to guide their mobility instructors through the campus obstacle course
Preliminary obedience testing and evaluation of the dogs’ reactions to head collars

Preliminary guidework testing with the mobility instructor under blindfold
Complete veterinary history review
More challenging guidework training environments (pedestrian traffic, stairs, different flooring surfaces, etc.)

Guidework routes in difficult and challenging work environments (heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic areas, wide crossings, hectic atmospheres, etc.)
Introduction to sidewalkless areas and rounded curbs
Continued work in malls, stores and buildings, with increasing exposure to varying sights, sounds and smells
Lessons in advanced guidework skills, such as moving turns
Introduction to “intelligent disobedience” (dogs learn to refuse to obey a command if it is unsafe to execute)
Advanced obedience training

Guidework in extremely challenging downtown urban areas (San Francisco and Portland)
Training on buses, light rail/subway systems and platform edges
Introduction to low overhead clearances
Advanced off-leash obedience
Formal traffic training

Final obedience testing, including on-leash obedience with the mobility instructor wearing a blindfold
Off-leash obedience with distractions
Workouts with unfamiliar or novice handlers
Final traffic testing with instructor under blindfold and “real life” traffic situations

Final guidework testing: city streets. Includes working a 40-50 minute route with the mobility instructor wearing a blindfold in downtown Gresham or San Rafael. The route covers nearly every aspect of guidework (curbs, street crossings, stairs, buildings, crowded sidewalks, traffic, etc.); obedience exercises are done along the way.
Final guidework testing: inside buildings (malls, stores, etc.). Includes working escalators, elevators, stairs, etc. with the mobility instructor wearing a blindfold.
Final physical exams