Training a "Seeing-Eye" Dog for the Blind

Dogs that provide mobility and independence for aplaced with a foster family one or two years.
blind person come in a variety of shapes andThese families give love and support, and teach
sizes. These dogs provide more than simply eyesfundamental manners and social skills. Once the
for those who are blind. They become theirdog reaches maturity, he returns to the
companion, protector, and guide.The majority ofsponsoring organization to begin formal training
guide dogs are German Shepherds, but there areand evaluation. Training is intensive and
also many Golden and Labrador Retrievers.encompasses all circumstances that the dog might
Training for their career starts when they arecome across in the day-to-day work of guiding his
just a few months. During this time, they areblind or visually impaired partner.