Pick of the Litter (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Patriot was career changed because he struggled with interacting with other dogs during advanced training. Despite successfully passing his preliminary guide work test, the trainers determined that his behavior around other dogs made him unsuitable for guide work. He was then gifted to Adam, the Iraq veteran he had earlier bonded with, to serve as an unofficial PTSD assistance dog instead.

• patriot
• career change
• guide dog training
• PTSD assistance dog

Career changed means a puppy is removed from the guide dog program because they don't meet the required standards. This can happen for various reasons including behavioral issues, health problems, or temperament that isn't suitable for guide work. Career changed dogs typically find loving homes as pets, as happened with Potomac who was adopted by a family in Oregon.

Foreshadowing: Earlier training challenges with Potomac foreshadowed this outcome, as he struggled with essential skills at twelve months.

• career changed
• guide dog
• training
• puppy

Potomac was career changed at twelve months old because he faced challenges with essential training skills. Despite being placed with experienced puppy raiser Linda, who had previously raised two GDB dogs, Potomac did not develop the necessary abilities required for guide work and was transitioned to being a pet.

• potomac
• career change
• training challenges
• guide dog

Guide dog training spans approximately two years total. Puppies begin with volunteer puppy raisers at two months old and stay with them for 14 to 16 months for basic training. After returning to Guide Dogs for the Blind, they undergo formal training and must pass multiple evaluations, including preliminary tests and final certification exams.

• guide dog training
• timeline
• puppy raiser
• GDB

Phil initially failed his first preliminary guide work test during his formal training phase at GDB. The test assesses a dog's readiness for guide work, and Phil was not yet meeting the required standards. However, after a few weeks of additional training with Adam, he successfully passed on his second attempt and went on to graduate from the program.

• phil
• guide dog test
• training
• graduation

Primrose was chosen to become a breeder because she excelled throughout her entire training process. Guide Dogs for the Blind recognized her exceptional qualities, temperament, and potential to pass on desirable traits to future generations of guide dogs. This is a prestigious role that allows her to contribute to the program even without becoming a working guide dog herself.

• primrose
• breeder dog
• guide dog breeding
• GDB

Guide dogs are carefully matched with recipients based on the recipient's lifestyle, needs, and personality. The film shows this matching process when Phil was paired with Ronald and Poppet with Janet, who had previously had three other guide dogs. GDB considers factors like the recipient's walking pace, living situation, and experience level to ensure a successful partnership.

• guide dog matching
• recipient
• partnership
• guide dog program

After being career changed, Patriot was not simply placed as a pet. Guide Dogs for the Blind contacted Adam, the Iraq veteran he had bonded with during his initial training, and gifted him Patriot as an unofficial PTSD assistance dog. This allowed their meaningful partnership to continue outside the formal guide dog program, with Patriot providing emotional support for Adam's PTSD.

Foreshadowing: Patriot's strong bond with Adam during his initial placement foreshadowed this outcome.

• patriot
• Adam
• PTSD assistance dog
• career change outcome

Patriot was transferred from his first puppy raiser Nick to Adam because he was struggling with his behavior during training sessions at school. This prompted GDB to reassess his placement. Adam, an Iraq veteran dealing with PTSD, was selected as his new raiser, and the two formed a profound bond where Patriot provided invaluable emotional support while Adam helped continue Patriot's training.

• patriot
• Adam
• puppy raiser transfer
• PTSD

Three of the five puppies became working guide dogs: Phil, Poppet, and Primrose (though Primrose became a breeder rather than a guide dog). Potomac was career changed and became a pet in Oregon, while Patriot was career changed but became a PTSD assistance dog for Adam. The film concludes hopefully with Primrose giving birth to another litter of five puppies, continuing the cycle.

• guide dog graduation
• litter results
• Phil
• Poppet
• Primrose