The training of each Guiding Eyes dog is conducted by our staff of professional guide dog trainers. Our trainers, or Instructors as we call them, typically have backgrounds in animal care and social services. Instructors work patiently with the dogs in training for a minimum period of four months, or until the dogs demonstrate their safety and reliability. Two instructors work as a team to train a group of 20 dogs. During this time, they get to know every dog's special character just as, eventually, they will know each student's needs and personality.
Instructors put much thought into matching individual students with individual guide dogs.
This matchmaking process is highly successful. During the 26 day residential training period, instructors live in the dormitory alongside our students, working seven days a week to teach the skills necessary for communicating and navigating with a Guiding Eyes dog. Classes at GEB are small. Typically there are only 12 students in training during each monthly session. A supervisor works closely with the trainers to coordinate the schedule and training locations for the class.