Q&A with Leader Dog Instructors

Ask the Instructors

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a guide dog instructor?

We asked some of our instructors, and here are their replies:

Watching a match come together.
Watching a good working team graduate.
Seeing the positive impact on people's lives.
Working in a challenging and stimulating environment.
Working with dogs. Freedom.
Fulfilling the dog’s potential.
Giving the clients trained dogs and watching it change their lives.
Knowing that the dogs will allow clients to gain more independence.
Seeing the progression of the dog up until they are matched with the person.

Q: What is a typical daily schedule for instructors?

A: Instructors arrive at work and check emails, then load dogs on the training trucks and head off to specific locations dependent on the level of training. They return from training for lunch, then repeat the morning. The goal is to work seven dogs each day. They walk 5 to 7 miles or more each day.

Q: What are the trainers' favorite books about training?

Don't Shoot the Dog! – Karen Pryor
Plenty in Life is Free – Kathy Sdao
The Thinking Dog – Gail Tamases Fisher
The Other End of the Leash – Patricia B. McConnell

Q: Do instructors feel the current positive reinforcement program is providing better results in the same amount of time, or does it require more time?

A: We measured how long it took to teach dogs to stop at curbs with and without clicker training. We found that using the new method cut the learning time of this behavior in ½, and we are seeing better consistency.

Leader Dogs in Training

Q: How is positive reinforcement incorporated in the dogs’ training?

A: Operant conditioning is used throughout all levels of training. We utilize all types of positive reinforcement (voice, food, touch and play) in the learning process (new skills). Clicker training is used for curb work and we are piloting targeting specific objects.

Q: What standards are dogs required to meet throughout the training cycle?

A: We have two formal points of standards that consist of 13 behaviors each. One is at mid-cycle and the other is class ready. These are completed by the instructor and approved by the team supervisor. After mid-cycle is completed, there must be an action plan filled out with objectives and timeframes included before an instructor can career change a dog. Twice or more throughout training, each instructor will do a blindfold walk with each dog to ensure the dog is doing quality work.

Q: What do instructors do when the natural pace of the dog is different than that of the instructor/client?

A: We try to work the dog at its natural pace. An attempt to change this permanently would most likely fail and be counter-productive. With clients we try to match the dog’s pace with the client’s. Use of loose leash walking can be helpful.

Q: Do instructors work dogs in airports, and how do they prepare the dog for long flights?

A: We have recently been allowed access to Detroit Metro Airport for training, and we have even been allowed on a plane to teach the dogs how/where to lay down. This training is limited to three or four times a year, but we hope to increase this training so every dog gets this training. We teach airline seat entry and exit along with extended periods of settling. This is not normally a problem and most dogs adjust very well.

Q: How much time does a dog get worked each day?

A: It varies depending on the level of training. Earlier in training the sessions are shorter, ending on a positive note. As training progresses, sessions will last up to 45 minutes. There are four run times during which the dogs have play time with other dogs as well as time with volunteers. Play is subjective; it is whether the dog is enjoying the activity. The play with trainers is very individual, used diagnostically – bonding, teaching recall, keeping the dog engaged in a work session (stress relief), as a reward, and motivating the dog. Limits are placed on levels of stimulation in regards to client needs. The dogs have free run with pack mates and trainers once a week.

Daily breakdown:

Time spent in run = 2 hours and 15 minutes
Time with volunteer = 30–45 minutes
Training (engaged learning/“play”) = 3 hours of activity (including loading, truck time and work session)

Career Changes, Holdovers and Rehoming

Q: What goes into a career changing decision, who makes the decision, and when during training would this happen?

A: Evaluation of the dog’s ability to learn and adapt to the guide dog work happens each time an instructor works with a dog. Instructors will focus on areas that need improvement and usually set a time frame for improvement. If progress isn’t made within the time frame, they will career change the dog. The team supervisor is kept informed about issues or concerns with all dogs in their string. After the dog passes mid-cycle standards, the instructor is required to put the dog on an improvement plan if there are issues. Again, this is done with goals and time frames for improvement. There is a small percentage of dogs that will still get career changed after mid-cycle.

Q: How do instructors determine which dogs will be held over for the next class of clients?

A: This depends on the match with the client as well as the number of dogs we have in a string. We then offer the dog to the team that is in class next; if they also don’t have a match with a client in the next class, the dog may be held for the team after that, but no further.

Q: When do instructors decide to re-home a dog?

A: This is discussed between the instructor, supervisor, director of canine training and puppy development department and is based on either medical or behavioral issues. We look at stress level, anxiety. It could also be based on when the dog is due to be matched with a client. If it is an extended period, we might re-home it.

Client/Dog Interaction

Q: What behaviors are difficult for clients to handle that a sighted person may not even notice?

A: Inappropriate house behaviors, scavenging or counter surfing, distractions, when a dogs walks while “parking.”

Q: What are some criteria instructors use to decide which dog goes to which client?

A: Physical factors (pace, pull, stamina and size), environment (small vs. large city, traffic, rural, college or work place), behavior (energy level, responsiveness to handler).

Q: What characteristics do instructors in the Deaf-Blind program look for when choosing

A: This is a very small percentage of dogs. We look for attentiveness to handler, maturity level, personalities that match the client and a patient dog.

Q: What does follow-up look like once a client and dog team leave Leader Dog?

A: We contact the clients at 30, 60 and 90 days. If they require assistance, we place them on a follow-up list with time frames depending on how serious the problem is. Follow up is performed as needed by field services or training. We have 24 hour emergency contact available for clients.

Instructor/Dog Interaction

Q: Do instructors choose their dogs or breeds in their string of dogs or are they randomly assigned?

A: The administrative assistant for the training department divides and assigns the dog initially by breed, sex and color. The team then balances the string once they spend time with the dogs.

Q: What does an instructor do when they first get a new string of dogs?

A: Relationship building. This consists of play, relaxation, finding out what motivates the dog (treats, toys or touch), and assessing their level of stress. Some specific tasks are name recognition, free running, loading the clicker.

Q: Do instructors ever take dogs home for the weekend?

A: Yes, at times they might, but they are not required to. They might do this for stress relief, change of environment, or evaluation of a specific behavior.