Puppy Raiser

Guide Dogs are looking for Puppy Raisers

The role involves

• Looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, introducing new environments and experiences whilst providing a loving home.

• There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.
• Engaging with our world-class Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training program to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.

•  Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming, and feeding him or her.

• Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
• Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
• Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
• Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
• Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

Please get in touch to find out more about this role.

https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/volunteer-with-our-dogs/puppy-raiser/

Skills

• A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
• Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
• Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
• A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.