Phase 7: Advanced Training

A yellow Lab guide dog walking across a city street alongside a handler.

Obedience and Distraction Training
Continues as in phase 6. Dogs are handled by different instructors to teach them that good responses are expected with new handlers.

Guidework Training
Advanced training includes work in both suburban and urban areas, and requires forward-looking decision making (initiative). These routes can consist of:

City traffic patterns
Difficult street crossings
Difficult clearance situations
Areas with a challenging line
Animal distractions
Surface issues
Curb approach challenges
Pedestrian islands
Crowded sidewalks
Different pedestrian climates
Additional city bus exposure
Additional rapid transit ride exposure
Additional and multiple escalators
Rounded corners

Escalator Training Continues
Dogs now independently board, ride, and exit escalators.

Platform Training Continues
Avoidance of drop-off edges on pedestrian platforms of subway and rail systems, and boarding and exiting trains.

Overhead Obstacle Clearance Training
Advanced overhead training occurs both on campus and in town, when available.

Socialization
Continue as in previous phases, as needed.