<p>In this episode of the Canine Connection podcast, hosts Petra and Laurie interview Peggy Gibbon, a retired Instructor and Director for The Seeing Eye Guide Dog School in Morristown, NJ. Peggy shares her journey of working with dogs for over 42 years, discussing the importance of puppy raisers, the training process for guide dogs, and the impact these dogs have on the lives of their handlers. She emphasizes the significance of genetics in breeding, the selection process for matching dogs with handlers, and the need for clarity in training. They discuss the incredible training behind these dogs and their ability to quickly generalize what they learn. The conversation highlights the passion and dedication of everyone involved in the guide dog program, showcasing how these dogs truly change lives.</p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Peggy Gibbon</p><p>02:42 Peggy's Journey to the Seeing Eye</p><p>05:10 Training Guide Dogs: Then and Now</p><p>08:21 The Role of Puppy Raisers</p><p>12:15 Community Support in Puppy Raising</p><p>21:18 Peggy's Career Progression at the Seeing Eye</p><p>26:38 The Structured Training Program</p><p>30:19 Motivation and Bonding with Dogs</p><p>35:45 Tailoring Training to Individual Needs</p><p>39:35 The Matching Process: Dog and Handler</p><p>46:17 The Breeding Program's Role in Success</p><p>01:03:13 Understanding Car Sickness in Puppies</p><p>01:04:33 The Importance of Saying 'No' in Training</p><p>01:07:09 Building Confidence Through Clarity</p><p>01:09:52 The Teamwork Between Dog and Handler</p><p>01:11:50 Genetics vs. Training: What Makes a Great Guide Dog?</p><p>01:17:59 Transferring Training Techniques Across Disciplines</p><p>01:21:09 The Impact of Guide Dogs on Lives</p><p>01:29:00 The Passion Behind the Seeing Eye Organization</p><p>FOLLOW US:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod">https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast">https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast</a></p><p>PETRA:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/">https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com">www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com</a></p><p>LAURIE:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius">https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025">https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025</a></p><p> </p>