Pet Pointers: From puppy to guide dog
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Freedom Guide Dogs will one day help blind and visually impaired people navigate their lives, but what makes a puppy a good candidate for this challenging job?
Eric Loori, executive director & co-founder of Freedom Guide Dogs, says, “Soundness, curiosity and willingness, having some drive, generous spirit."
Puppy candidates train all day, every day with a nursery kennel full of enrichment toys designed to develop their intelligence, agility and sensory skills. Then, they go to a foster home where they socialize, are house broken and learn to properly walk on a leash.
At two years old, they return for several months of training at the FGD facility. Finally, it's off to their new family for "hometown training" where they are trained to navigate the new neighborhood.
Only the best and brightest puppies make it all the way to graduation.