The remarkable journey of a Seeing Eye puppy begins at a specialized breeding facility in Chester, New Jersey. This state-of-the-art location, established in 2002 and kept separate from the main campus in Morris Township, is meticulously designed to ensure the utmost health and safety for the breeding colony and their offspring. The facility’s primary goal is to cultivate a nurturing environment that supports the development of puppies and maintains the physical and mental well-being of the adult dogs, a setup that has demonstrably increased the success rate of puppies transitioning into guide dogs.
Within this dedicated environment, breeding dogs lead active lives. They enjoy daily walks through the picturesque grounds and form strong attachments with the staff who care for them. Each dog shares a comfortable, spacious kennel with a companion and participates in energetic group play sessions in a large yard. Games like fetch, tug-of-war, and keep-away are integral to their daily routines, promoting both physical fitness and social skills. An agility yard further enhances their training, offering an obstacle course with jumps, tunnels, and weave poles.
Beyond physical activity, the dogs are also trained in fun tricks and essential basic manners. These skills are often initially learned from their puppy-raising families and are consistently reinforced by the staff at the breeding facility. To keep their capabilities sharp and ensure their continued engagement, both dogs and staff members work towards passing The Seeing Eye Canine Excellence Challenge. This program provides a stimulating mix of physical and mental challenges, keeping the dogs happy and focused. It also instills the crucial manners required for their future roles, whether as guide dogs or as beloved companions in retirement from breeding.
Puppies are born at the breeding station and remain there until they are seven weeks old, at which point they embark on the next stage of their journey to dedicated puppy-raising homes. Despite their relatively short stay, puppies born at the breeding station experience a wealth of stimuli and training, often exceeding what many pet dogs encounter in their first year. From their very first moments, puppies are handled, petted, and played with by staff and volunteers. This early and consistent exposure introduces them to a wide array of sights, sounds, and surfaces, including common household items like vacuum cleaners, strollers, and even mannequins adorned in various costumes, preparing them for the diverse environments they will encounter as guide dogs.
At approximately four weeks of age, a significant milestone is reached as puppies begin visiting a specially designed playroom. This area is equipped with an assortment of engaging toys, varied tactile surfaces, and small stairs, further enriching their sensory experiences. To acclimate them to the sounds of the world outside their immediate environment, a CD plays a range of noises, including thunderstorms, sirens, crying babies, and noisy crowds. Volunteers and staff actively participate in desensitizing the puppies by wearing amusing hats, glasses, and accessories. Crucially, puppies are also introduced to collars and leashes during this period, ensuring they are comfortable with these essential items well before they meet their future puppy raisers.
The Seeing Eye is committed to breeding its own dogs, carefully selecting breeds such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and a Golden Retriever/Labrador cross. These breeds are chosen for their suitability as guide dogs. Female dogs typically retire from breeding around the age of four, while male dogs sire between eight to ten litters before being adopted into loving families.
The organization’s dedication to producing exceptional guide dogs is underpinned by extensive research in canine genetics, breeding practices, disease control, and behavior. This scientific approach guides the development of a Seeing Eye puppy’s potential from even before conception. Recognizing that there is no single “perfect Seeing Eye dog,” the program values and carefully considers variations in temperament, size, strength, stride, and energy levels, all of which are critical factors for forming successful partnerships between a dog and its handler. An advanced computer information system meticulously calculates the suitability of each dog for breeding, and The Seeing Eye actively funds innovative DNA research. This commitment to scientific advancement aims to produce the healthiest, most productive, predictable, and reliable guide dogs possible, ensuring they are well-prepared for their life-changing roles.
