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Pet Pointers

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Updated 01/04/2012 05:00 AM

Pet Pointers: From puppy to guide dog

By: Lisa Chelenza

All puppies are cute, but what makes a puppy a great guide dog? Lisa Chelenza shows you what guide dog trainers look for in this edition of Pet Pointers.

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Of course they are adorable, but these are not just any puppies; these are future "Freedom Guide Dogs" who will one day help blind and visually impaired people navigate their lives. But what is it that makes a puppy a candidate for this challenging job? Eric Loori Executive Director & Co-Founder of Freedom Guide Dogs tells us what he looks for.

"Soundness, curiosity and willingness, having some drive, generous spirit," said Loori.

These little guys are in training all day every day with a nursery kennel full of enrichment toys designed to develop their intelligence, agility and sensory skills.

Next, they go to a foster home where they will socialize, be house broken, and learn to properly walk on a leash. At two years old, they return for several moths of training at the FGD facility, then it's off to their new family for "Hometown Training" where they are trained to navigate the new neighborhood. Only the best and brightest puppies make it all the way to graduation.

As always, take care of your pets and have them spayed and neutered.