{"id":8507,"date":"2024-02-28T06:18:35","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T11:18:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.igdf.org.uk\/?page_id=8507"},"modified":"2024-09-19T02:24:11","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T06:24:11","slug":"guide-dog-assessment-and-training","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.igdf.org.uk\/about-us\/starting-a-guide-dog-organisation\/guide-dog-assessment-and-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Section 8: Guide dog assessment and training"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Continual assessment and evaluation of temperament takes place throughout the development and training process. It is critical to assess the dog\u2019s suitability for guide work continually. Early identification of temperamentally unsuitable dogs will save time and expense and provide a better welfare outcome for the dogs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Later, accurate assessment of the dog will be critical to an appropriate client match.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

A) Assessment process<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The assessment process, although simple in the early stages, starts before each puppy is moved from the breeding programme to the puppy raising programme (or purchased from a reputable breeder). This process of assessment becomes more in-depth as the young dog matures.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>


Frequency<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Responsible staff must regularly assess puppy progress on at least a monthly basis. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Puppies go through a critical socialisation period, and therefore it is ideal to see the puppy and support the puppy raisers frequently. Support can be provided by staff or experienced volunteers. We recommend the following schedule, if possible:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

  1. Weekly until 14 weeks of age<\/span>; <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  2. Every two weeks \u2013 from 14 – 24 weeks of age;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  3. Monthly \u2013 from 24 to 56+ weeks of age.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol>

    Most organisations will run group training activities for puppies and volunteers on a monthly or weekly basis.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>


    What to evaluate<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    There is variation between IGDF member organisations in how they assess dogs and scoring systems used. Despite the differences, all organisations assess health, temperament\/behaviour and physical characteristics of the dogs. The International Working Dog Registry (IWDR) database (see section 2b Administration\/Record Keeping Systems) provides data entry forms to store the health, temperament\/behaviour and physical information discussed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    What is being evaluated depends also on the age and maturity of the dog. Responsible staff should have or acquire knowledge on puppy development and evaluate each dog appropriately for its age, and whether it is intended for breeding or training as a guide dog.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Any dog being considered for guide work should be thoroughly evaluated.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Dogs being evaluated as potential breeding stock should additionally be cleared of common genetic disease and abnormalities to minimise the transmission of unacceptable hereditary conditions. See Standard 4 for further details.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Puppies should be evaluated as age-appropriate. Some items might therefore not be relevant in earlier age, or they must be assessed keeping in mind the potential change as the dog matures.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>


    The following list of items to evaluate gives an overview of what should be evaluated in an adult dog, before entering training program or breeding.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    1. Health\u00a0<\/p>