Dogs are said to be man’s best friend, and for those who can‘t see they can provide more than just companionship. Seeing eye dogs are trained to assist them blind so that they can lead a more normal life. Seeing eye dogs are allowed to escort blind people into most public buildings, retail stores, and even to their jobs in some cases.
There is a great deal of training this is provided for seeing eye dogs. They are trained for the time they are puppies for the purpose. The training program for a seeing eye dog takes about 1 ½ years for them to complete. Each dog has to pass a series of skills tests in order to pass the course. If they don’t they aren’t allowed to practice as seeing eye dogs because the risk to the owner is just too great.
The training programs for seeing eye dogs are very human. Animal activists are very happy with the procedures they see in place. They also love the fact that these dogs are being put into such an important role. Careful consideration is made to match the right dog with the right person. This is done to ensure the needs of both the person and the dog are met.
After the match has been made there is a training program for the dog and the new owner to complete together. It generally lasts for a four month period so that they know how to work well with each other.
Most seeing eye dogs are large breeds including German shepherds, Labradors, and retrievers. Both breeds are very smart and very assertive. They also have a very good temperament. They also mature at an early age which is essential for a seeing eye dog due to the amount of training they undergo from the time they are puppies. They are easily trained to fill the important role off being the eyes for a person.
While most people are very much in awe when they see a seeing eye dog assisting a human it is important not to get their attention. These dogs are trained to always pay attention to their owner. Strangers often want to pet them or offer them treats but these simple gestures can put the owner at risk because the dog has been distracted.
