The Puppy Raiser role is a full-on volunteering role, whereby you look after a future life-changing puppy for a year, from when they are about 8 weeks old until they are around 14 months. You will need to care for, feed and train the puppy. This is very time consuming and - particularly when young - our puppies cannot be left on their own for very long and as they get older for no more than three hours.
You will play a huge role in the social development of the puppy, guiding him or her through training, socialisation, introduction of new environments and experiences, whilst providing a loving home. They are young puppies when they first arrive so all the usual toilet training, chewing etc does occur. You will will need a suitable outside area (ideally gravel or pavement) where the puppy can go to the toilet.
You will take your puppy along to regular puppy classes where you will be supported with their training, we use a programme called Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) which is based on positive reinforcement. You will be supported by other puppy raisers as well as a dedicated volunteer manager.
Ideally you will have enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs, have someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25 – 40 kg), 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 and a safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.
You’ll get the rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog. The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme which can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.
For further information and to apply for this role, please click on the 'Pledge' button to contact us.
You must be aged over 18 and be able to confidently handle the dog as its strength grows. You need suitable housing and must be able to give the time, commitment and love a puppy deserves.