Having worked with dogs for over 30 years, we have come to realise the important characteristics required in successful guide and assistance dogs. 

We breed all of our own dogs, working closely with our volunteer breeding stock holders to ensure the most successful outcomes. We use a variety of breeds as this gives us the opportunity to train dogs with varying temperaments - a key factor in successfully matching a guide or assistance dog with a client.

Training a guide or assistance dog takes time and attention and starts soon after birth. There are a number of distinct stages in the process before a dog finally qualifies as a guide or assistance dog at the approximate age of two years. 

Stages of guide or assistance dog training are:

• Preparation for Puppy-Walking (at 6 - 8 weeks of age)
• Puppy-Walking (at 8 weeks - approximately 12 months)
• Early Training (at approximately 12 months of age for 3 - 5 months)
• Advanced Training (at approximately 16 - 18 months of age for 3 months)
• Matching and Qualifying (at approximately 2 years of age)

To read more about each of the stages of training, click here.