Hey Canine Readers,
Below is a summary of an interview I did back in 2015 with a friend from camp who trains dogs for the blind. Her name is Melissa and she is 28 the same age as me.
Where it all began, Favorite and Hardest Parts of the Job
She began training her first dog Rhianna in the spring of 2010 after visiting her brother at college. She met a woman who had a puppy and while petting the puppy not only did she learn the dog was training to be a service dog but also that she wanted to be a puppy raiser herself.
Her favorite part of this job is knowing that they will have amazing homes to live in even if they do not pass the test.
In contract the hardest part of this job is giving them up. They become your companions as you train them. In the event they do not pass you as the puppy raiser are given first choice to keep them and if they pass you are still able to meet them but if they fail you do not.
Training Aspects
Additionally the training is for one and a half years and they go everywhere with you. The puppy raisers teach them sit, down, stand, close , etc. When it is time the owners are matched with their dogs and learn about the program at the home base in New York.
The breeds used in her organization ate mainly labs and German Shepherds but that doesn’t mean other breeds aren’t good guide dogs.
Dogs retirement depends 100% on the dog. The decide when they want to stop. Some stop after 2-3 years of working but most end about 7-8 years.
Why we should not touch them or ask to touch them!
It is rude to people that are blind if someone asks if they can touch their service dog to them these dogs are their life line. They stop them from walking into walls and traffic and when someone distracts them it can put them in danger. It is important to note some people allow it because they are just friendly and okay with it others won’t because they see it as rude.
If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you would help spread it by email to a friend, on social media or even word of mouth!
Happy Training!