Puppy Training Games and Our Visit to ONCE

We visited the immaculate facilities and learned about the life and training of guide dogs for the blind.

We were told many interesting facts about guide dogs:

-the breeding dogs and pups, until they start their training, stay with “adopting” families

-the retired guide dogs can be adopted or spend their last years “helping” in the offices of the foundation

-the breeds best suited for the job are labradors, golden retrievers, flat coated retrievers and German shepherds

-the German shepherds, being very much “one master’s dogs”, find sometimes difficult the change handler

-the working dogs are all spayed or neutered

One of the highlights of our visit was meeting two wonderful, cuddly puppies, future proud seeing eye dogs.

Finally we met Natalia Romero, a friendly and competent professional guide dog trainer and her young trainee Erto.

She told us about training guide dogs and finally she offered us a demonstration. Natalia blindfolded two of the visitors and allowed Erto to guide them (safely) trough an intricate obstacle course.

At last I had a chance to ask her about the best training games and she suggested “hide and seek” to improve the recall.

This is how the game goes.

Have an helper restrain your puppy while you hide (not too far at the beginning) than call the dog with your most alluring voice. When the puppy finds you, reward him alternating food, cuddles and favorite toys to keep the game interesting.

Always stop the game before your puppy gets too tired to leave him eager for more. Gradually increase the distance and the difficulty of your hiding spots.

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