Giant FAQ

(*edited to add that only the first question is Meritt's, the other ones have been added to answer other frequently asked questions. Meritt's question just was a convenient reminder that I should write this post, since people ask those things all the time*)

Meritt said...

He's a cutie. :)

So - I must have missed something somewhere (although I don't know when or how) - Why exactly is he considered a service dog?

Giant is not our puppy, but he is a guide dog in training. We are raising him for about a year, and then he will go to guide dog school.

Isn't it going to be hard to give him up?

Yes, it will be hard to give him up. But we know he is going to make a huge difference in someone's life, and we know that he will make an excellent guide dog.



How old will he be when he starts guide dog school?

He will be about 16 months when he will go to guide dog school. He will be matched up with a blind partner, they will train together for a few weeks and we will be invited to their graduation.

What happens if he doesn't make it as a guide dog?

Those puppies will be 'career change' dogs and do work like detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, or will be released to be adopted by a family.

What do you need to do to train him as a guide dog?

We just have to teach basic obedience and expose him to many social situations. He needs a wide variety of experiences to help him succeed as a guide dog. We have taken him to the pet store, to homeschool club, to the art gallery, to the park, to the airport, and to the beach. We take him geocaching, both during the day and at night. We spend a lot of time explaining to him 'No, you can not bite us.' 'No, you still cannot bite us.' 'No, not now either.'