We chatted with The Guide Dog Foundation’s Rivi Israel to learn more about the training process and the vast capabilities of these incredible pups.
What’s your role at the Guide Dog Foundation, Rivi? How did you initially get involved?
I’m the Program Manager here and have been with the Guide Dog Foundation for 5 years. Before that, I was with another guide dog school for 18 years. I’ve been in the community for a while. GDF is the most amazing place with great staff, volunteers, and happy dogs. I also appreciate the focus on positive reinforcement training (it makes a big difference with foundation skills).
How did the Guide Dog Foundation start?
The Guide Dog Foundation started in 1946 when 6 community members wanted to make a school for people with vision loss. The goal is to help better their lives and allow for more independence! Today, the GDF raises 60-70 dogs per year. During the first few years at the Guide Dog Foundation (back in the 1940s) there were smaller classes, but it’s built up! There’s a 1 instructor to 2 pups ratio, which allows for hands-on, specialized training.
The importance of guide dogs
Guide dogs are important because they really open up people’s lives. For someone with vision loss or vision challenges, guide dogs make the world more accessible. Essentially, those with vision challenges can have more freedom, independence, and an increased ability to pursue dreams. It’s a unique and wonderful partnership between the handler and the dog. The dogs are trained to think and problem-solve to get their person to safety.
The training process
The dogs originate from NY and are flown out to “puppy raisers,” who teach them more basic commands, love, and socialization. The raisers expose them to different situations for their first year and a half. Afterward, the dogs undergo extensive training for 5 months. In the first 3 months of the intensive training, dogs are alone to build and reinforce foundational training skills. A key aspect of training is teaching the dogs to disobey commands if a situation is unsafe. The dogs learn to problem-solve in real time. For the next stage, the dogs undergo 2 months of training paired with their future, visually impaired handler. This training teaches the handler how to work with their dog and to ensure it’s a good match. Finally, the dog is given to the handler (free of charge, thanks to generous donors!).
Pairing a dog and handler
It’s all about fit: each dog and person has a specific walking speed. Dogs and handlers are matched by their walking cadences. Other factors include environment (e.g., some dogs are better fits for cities), personality, and the control factor. It’s important to properly match the dog to the handler so that if a dog gets distracted by a squirrel, for example, they have a handler who can keep them in line.
Our guide dogs are in high demand–in part because they’re so well trained, and in part because they’re given at no cost to the handler. So when someone is ready for a dog, they can apply through the site to fill out medical reports and visit in person. All guide dogs spend 2 years with personal training, so the Foundation understands their personality, which makes it easier to match with a handler.
Training obstacle avoidance and intelligent disobedience
It is all about educating through consistency. The trainer shows the dog the problem and the solution, which is then rewarded with positive reinforcement. The dogs then learn to anticipate potential problems (e.g. an obstacle in the road), and you can witness the dog think through a solution on their own.
How to interact with guide dogs that we see on the street
While you might want to pet them, distracting the dog (with noises or pets) while the guide dog is working puts the blind person in jeopardy. Instead, try saying hi to the person with the guide dog and let them know if you have your dog. It is important to remember that they’re people just like us; they just use a different tool for mobility!
How long can guide dogs work?
Guide dogs typically retire when they’re 6-7 years old. When this happens, the visually impaired person will contact the Foundation to retire the dog and likely apply for a successor dog. Usually, the handler will see changes in the pup when they’re ready to retire. Maybe they’re not as excited to work; they walk slower, and it’s important for handlers to listen to the dogs. The Foundation also checks in on graduates once they reach a certain age to assist with retirement.
Get involved with the Guide Dog Foundation
There are so many ways to get involved! We are always looking for puppy raisers from 8 weeks to 1.5 years to introduce them to the world, and it is so fun to help them with all their first experiences. We also always accept donations to help us continue raising guide dogs. You can learn more on our website to learn more.
