Puppies-in-training more likely to succeed as seeing-eye dogs

NEWTON - Leanne Moss, a sophomore at Kittatinny Regional High School, recently brought her puppy to school as part of a 4-H project with guide dogs called “Love on a Leash.” Leanne is the daughter of Lori and Wayne Moss of Layton, and the family is involved with the “Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Program” in Sussex County. Over years of breeding and training guide dogs, experts have AC that dogs chosen to be seeing-eye guides are more likely to succeed if they are raised in a family setting. Applications are accepted from families who are interested in the puppy program. Depending upon specific requests, such as breed and sex, these families will receive a seven-week old puppy approximately one to three months after submitting their application, and they will keep it until it is 14 months to 18 months old. The family’s obligations to the program include housetraining and teaching simple obedience. They must also expose the puppy to situations that include crowds, traffic, car rides and other similar things that guide dogs might encounter once they are paired with people who need them. The Seeing Eye organization pays for food and visits to the veterinarian. The breeds most often chosen to be in the program are Labrador retriever, golden retriever, Lab/golden cross, and German shepherd. On occasion, a boxer is sometimes accepted. The program also involves a member of the family joining the local 4-H Club, which meets at the Lafayette-Andover School twice a month with their puppies. They go on outings, such as shopping at the mall, riding on a train or walking in town. Leanne received permission from Kittatinny to bring her puppy to school in order to help facilitate the training process and to foster interest from other students to take on similar responsibilities of raising a seeing-eye puppy. The Labrador was able to acclimate to large-group settings and interactions with students and teachers. For more information, go to www.seeingeye.com and click on the “puppy raisers” link.