In The Beginning, There Were Puppies!
That Guide Dog that you see walking with its blind
handler was once a cute, cuddly, destructive, mischievous, wild,
intelligent, talented puppy. A person or family raised this puppy to
become a dog guide. These "puppy raisers," as they are called
by many United States guide dog schools, or "puppy walkers,"
as they are known in the British system, are people just like you who
choose to take up to 18 months out of their lives to raise dogs for
guide dog training programs.
Who Can Be A Puppy Raiser/Walker ?
This varies from program to program, but
essentially, anyone interested in raising guide dog puppies should have
enough time to spend socializing the puppy a few hours per day through
walks and visits to various places, time for standard puppy or obedience
classes and the willingness to work with a young dog to mold it into a
good canine citizen.
Puppy raisers may also come through your local 4H club's programs.
Children can raise puppies, with parental supervision. This activity
builds confidence and a sense of pride in being a part of the guide dog
world, the world of safe mobility and independence.
How Do I Become A Puppy Raiser/Walker?
All of the guide dog schools listed in this link
have organized puppy raising programs. Just visit their websites for
more info. Each school has different requirements regarding geographical
location, attendance in puppy training classes, etc. Just because there
isn't a program near you doesn't mean you can't raise a puppy.
Raising a puppy to be a guide dog is so much more
than a self less, inspirational act. It is hard work, dedication,
disappointment and tears. It is taking in and letting go, and, with most
guide dog programs, taking in again and again. The work of puppy
raisers/walkers is deeply appreciated by those people receiving the dog
that has grown from a silly wild puppy into a mature, responsible member
of a team.
THE PUPPY RAISING FAQ'S
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PUPPY RAISING
Q: How old are puppies when they are placed in
raisers' homes?
A: Puppies range in age from 8 to 12 weeks of age
when initially placed from most guide dog schools. Sometimes, puppies
may need a change of home during their puppy hood. Raisers may be asked
to take over the process with an older dog.
Q: How long do puppies stay in the puppy raisers'
homes?
A: This depends on the guide dog school. Pups may
return to the school for evaluation and training at between 12 and 18
months of age. The average is 14 months of age.
Q: Who pays for raising the puppy?
A: This also depends on the school. Some programs
pay all costs, or reimburse for only certain things, like vet care. Many
vets will give discounts to puppy raisers though. If you've never raised
a puppy before, the most significant cost could be in that all too
familiar puppy damage caused to your home and property. That damage you
laugh about years later.
Q: Who does puppy raising?
A: To be accepted into most guide dog school's puppy
raising programs there are certain conditions that have to be fulfilled,
including:
The puppy raiser, or a member of the puppy raiser's
household, being at home with the pup during the day;
The pup being walked and socialized each day;
The pup being allowed to sleep and spend time
inside, during the day;
The puppy raiser and the pup attending training
days.
Q: What breeds are used as Guide Dogs?
A: The most common breed used as a guide in the
United States is the Labrador Retriever. All colors are used in this
breed. Golden and Flat Coated Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers,
Border and Smooth Coated Collies Australian Shepherds, Doberman
Pinscher, Standard Poodles and Vizsla's are among the other breeds used.
The top 3 are the Lab, Golden and German Shepherd Dog. Most puppies are
pure bred but schools are using a cross of Labrador and Golden Retriever
with great success. Whatever breed the puppy is, it has been carefully
selected and evaluated.
Q: What if a puppy doesn't make it as a Guide
Dog?
A: Most puppy raising programs have evaluation
stages built in, but medical and other problems can develop that may
make a puppy unsuitable for guide work. These puppies, young adults, are
in great demand as "career change" dogs.
Q: What do puppy raisers do?
A: Puppy raisers are responsible for feeding the pup
a well balanced diet, grooming it daily and making sure the pup is taken
to the veterinarian when required.
The puppy raiser takes the pup on daily walks to
ensure it maintains its fitness and health, and also to increase the
pup's socialization. This is so it learns to feel comfortable in a wide
range of environments with lots of different sights, sounds and scents.
The ultimate goal of the puppy raising program is to
encourage the development of pups so that they will one day become
successful Seeing Eye or Guide Dogs.
Q: What is a "career change" dog?
A: A "career change" means that the dog
has been found unsuitable for guide work but may excel in another type
of work such as bomb or drug detection, arson investigation and other
types of scent oriented security work or pet therapy. Some dogs make
wonderful family pets. Schools have long waiting lists to adopt career
change dogs as they are already trained with basic house manners and are
generally good dogs.
Q: Can the raiser meet the person who gets his or
her puppy?
A: Some guide dog programs encourage Survey with the
puppy raisers while others do not. Some programs hold a graduation
ceremony during which the raiser passes the dog on to its new master.
Other programs give basic information about the new handler. During its
initial guide training, most schools provide updates on the puppy and
some information when it is about to be placed with a blind person.
Q: What happens to puppies when they retire from
guide work?
A: In many programs if the blind person cannot keep
the dog or find a home for it, the dog may be returned to the school.
The puppy raisers may be Surveyed and asked if they would like to adopt
the retired dog. The older seasoned guide is probably much different
from the puppy they raised, but some families have found this a very
rewarding experience.
Q: Can I have other pets in my home with a Guide
Dog puppy?
A: Many programs suggest that you do have another
dog, cats and other pets, as long as all are supervised carefully. The
more exposure the puppy has to other pets, especially dogs in the home,
the more well adjusted it may be. You don't have to have other pets
though to raise a well adjusted pup. You can find some dog friends for
your pup or make sure it visits homes with other pets.
How to become a puppy raiser
An application form needs to be completed and
returned to the Guide Dog School that you would like to raise for . Then
the Puppy Raising Coordinator or a staff member will Survey the
applicant to discuss the application.
If you require more information or would like to
receive an application form through snail mail please click
here to access our Guide Dog School's page, to find the guide dog
school that is near your home. Please don't ask the staff at The Puppy
Place, as we cannot help you with the application process for any of the
guide dog schools.
Best of luck with that pup and keep in touch !!
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