| Seeing eye dogs who are also referred as | | | | the dog being desensitized to sights and |
| assistance dogs are trained to guide the | | | | sounds that it would run across in public |
| blind and the visually impaired around | | | | interactions. A physical exam of the |
| obstacles that they would come across in | | | | potential Seeing Eye dog is then performed to |
| daily life activities. Although these highly | | | | make sure that the dog is up to the often |
| training guide dogs are able to guide their | | | | strenuous activities that this type of work |
| masters around obstacles being color blind | | | | can entail. If the dog passes the exam they |
| they are not able to tell the difference | | | | are then allowed to begin the next phase of |
| between different signs that they could come | | | | the training process. |
| across. This issues is taken care off by the | | | | |
| visually impaired person as they are given | | | | Dogs that are being training to be seeing eye |
| training for these issues in mobility | | | | dogs are then put into harnesses and are then |
| classes. | | | | taught the proper way to maneuver people |
| | | | safely through obstacles such as going off of |
| In most countries Seeing Eye dogs are the | | | | curbs and how to avoid their masters being |
| only animals that are exempt from | | | | struck by overhead objects. Some dogs are |
| restrictions on animals in public places such | | | | even taught additional skills during this |
| as restaurants. | | | | time such as learning how to retrieve |
| | | | different items for their owner. |
| While there are several breeds that are | | | | |
| suitable for Seeing Eye dog work breeds such | | | | At the end of three months of individualized |
| as golden retrievers and German Shepard's are | | | | training a visually impaired student that has |
| some of the more popular choices. | | | | been approved for their own guide dog beings |
| | | | to work under the instruction of either a |
| Potential Seeing Eye dogs can be found from | | | | school or an individual instructor. Once this |
| many different sources. There are numerous | | | | new team has passed the instructional process |
| organizations around the world that breed and | | | | they are certified and ready to go out into |
| raise puppies that will all go on to be | | | | the world. Follow ups are done by |
| trained to be Seeing Eye dogs. Many families | | | | instructional facilities on an as needed |
| serve as foster families for puppies until | | | | basis. |
| they are ready to begin their guide dog | | | | |
| training. There are also many Seeing Eye dogs | | | | Seeing eye dogs by law are allowed to |
| that are found in animal shelters. | | | | accompany their owners in to all public areas |
| | | | allowing them to help their owner be a very |
| The first part of Seeing Eye dog training is | | | | functional member of society. |