Guide dog training takes over Fig Garden in Northwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fig Garden Village became a training ground Tuesday night for a group of guide dogs.

An organization called "Far Sighted Puppies with a Plan" met to practice a variety of skills-- including weaving in and out of each other without being distracted and being calm in crowded situations.

The dogs that wearing green jackets are guide dogs for the blind in training, while the ones without jackets were there for moral support.

The group includes trainers from across Fresno County including Fresno, Clovis, Dinuba, and Kerman. The training group leader said the focus is positive reinforcement and getting the dogs to feel comfortable in all situations.

The group of puppy-trainers meet once a week for obedience training. After about a year-- the dogs then go to San Rafael where they are equipped with a harness and officially graduate. Then they are placed with a sight-impaired person.

For more information you can go to guidedogs.com.