Most schools require the person to be at least 16 or 18 years of age and have references indicating that they are capable of caring for the dog. A listing of guide dogs schools appears on this website. Click here to see them. The cost varies depending upon the dog guide school. There are some that are no cost and others require the blind person themselves to pay a minimal fee for the dog and still others are sponsored by civic clubs.
Some schools retain ownership of the dog, others release it to the ownership of the person.
Once a person is accepted to a school, the actual training is done at the facility and usually lasts for a full month. The person is matched with a dog of suitable temperament and ability for the specific guiding demands necessary. The person can make requests for specific breeds, but they may not always be accommodated. Persons with special needs such as additional disabilities or unusual travel demands, may need to wait for a suitable dog to become available.