By Pamela Pollack Fremd
SPOKANE, Washington — I am a tough cookie, in my dreams, but Pick of the Litter, directed by Dana Nachman and Don Hardy, had me teary eyed from moment one in the documentary when different people talked about how their dogs had saved them. Equally warm and fuzzy moments followed when the pups are being delivered and carefully evaluated and cared for at an official Guide Dogs for the Blind facility. These puppies are Phil, Poppet, Potomac, Patriot, and Primrose. Eight hundred dogs are born at this facility, but only 300 graduate as guide dogs after a rigorous 20 month training period. This documentary follows the whole process.
When the puppies are two months old they start basic training. They go to puppy raisers; this is in a private home environment. These basic trainers are constantly evaluating their dog. Is it rowdy? Does it bite a lot? Is it struggling to hold its position? These trainers fill out monthly reports answering questions and evaluating their pups. They hope their pup will not be designated as “career changed.” That means the dog is not suitable to be a guide dog for the blind. At nine months old, if they have not been “career changed” they go on to a new trainer. This also happens at fifteen months of age. If the dog continues to be successful and suitable this process ends with a ten-week intensive training period. Of the five squirming, cute puppies we saw at the beginning of the documentary, only two graduated to become official guide dogs for the blind.
This film was very interesting as it shows the complete and complex process to train guide dogs. It also shows the emotional toll on the generous people who volunteer to be trainers. They want success for their dogs, even though they know that they will become attached to their dogs and they will eventually have to give the dogs up. The dogs are amazing, but the humans who go through the process are even more amazing. This is a very emotional and heartwarming documentary. It is scheduled for release Sept. 14.
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Pollack Fremd is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the movies.