The IGDB breeds its own dogs and has volunteer families around the country holding the organisation's breeding stock and whelping pups up to the age of six weeks.
The breeds most regularly used are labrador, golden retriever, German shepherd and cross-breeds of these.
The dog is placed with a puppy walking family for their first year. The family will teach basic obedience commands and socialise the pup. This is the cornerstone of their future training and success.
Early training starts at the age of 12 months and can include up to 150 individual training sessions.
In this phase the dog is introduced to formal obedience, the straight line principle, kerb work, directional and speed control demands, obstacle indication and avoidance, traffic awareness and establishment of reliable spending relief routine and dependable social behaviour.
Advanced training, with a guide dog mobility instructor, starts at 17 months and will include 100 individual training sessions.
In this phase, the dog learns to take more responsibility for its work, and the instructor begins to prepare the dog for a blind or visually impaired person.
The dog will be matched with its owner at the age of 20 months and will retire in its 10th year.