FAQ
Q: How long is the commitment?
A: Raisers of all ages receive their puppies between 8-10 weeks old. They remain in the puppy raiser home until 14 and 18 months old. The length of time may vary, depending on the individual puppy's development or Guide Dogs for the Blind's need for dogs. Not everyone can make a yearlong commitment but can help in many other important ways. Sometimes people choose to co-raise and share the responsibilities with another raiser/family. Guide Dogs for the Blind needs short term raisers who will start a puppy until approximately 20 weeks of age and then transfer to another raiser. The opposite is also needed, to have a raiser take an older puppy as a transfer. Others choose to puppy sit and/or watch a puppy while their primary raiser is on vacation or away from home.
Q: Do I need dog training experience to be a puppy raiser/sitter?
A: No, but it is helpful if you have owned or had experience with a dog previously. However, we will help train you and the puppy in all you need to know.
Q: How do I learn the proper way to raise a Guide Dog Puppy?
A: We will help you through the process every step of the way. You will need to attend club meetings and work with the club leaders and other experienced raisers. We have training meetings approximately every two weeks (twice a month) and at least one outing a month that we expect raisers and sitters to attend. Check out our calendar page for dates & times of upcoming meetings.
Q: Where does a Guide Dog puppy stay when the raiser is out of town?
A: Raisers frequently trade off and supervise each other's puppies when the raisers are away or have an approved puppy sitter from the club watch them. In some cases, a puppy can accompany the raiser on an out-of-town trip (with approval) to further the pup's socialization.
Q: Can I have other pets at the same time?
A: Yes. Controlled, supervised interaction between a Guide Dog puppy and other animals is quite beneficial.
Q: Does this club raise any other type of service animals?
A: No, we only raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Q: Who pays for the puppy's expenses?
A: Guide Dogs for the Blind provides basic training equipment such as leashes, collars, flea & tick medications, ear cleaner, tooth brush/toothpaste, and veterinary costs. The raiser pays for the puppy's food, toys, dog dishes, crates & any other supplies needed. Most expenses related to puppy raising are tax deductible. Our club has crates and other equipment available on loan to our raisers and sitters.
Q: Isn’t it difficult to give them up?
A: Yes, we become very attached to our puppies. However, we know from the beginning they are not ours to keep. Raisers often compare it to sending their child off to college. We help raise and train them to be the best they can be while in our care. Then we send them off to “college” and hope they will become successful and find a forever partner to love.
Q: What happens when the puppy I am raising leaves for formal training?
A: Your puppy will return to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Campus in Boring, OR where they will have a thorough medical examination and start their formal guide work training with professional trainers. If your dog graduates with a blind partner, you will be invited to the graduation to meet the new team and present your puppy (now official guide dog) at the ceremony. Guide Dogs for the Blind also breeds their own puppies, so a chosen few may be called to be Breeders.
Q: What happens if my puppy doesn’t become a Guide or Breeder?
A: Some dogs are released from the program for a variety of reasons. They are what we call “career change” dogs. Some go onto alternate careers as Hearing Dogs, Dogs for Diabetics, Search and Rescue, Pet Therapy or other Service Dog training. Many become loving pets and companions. Puppy raisers are often given the option to adopt them. If you are interested in adopting a career change puppy, please visit the Guide Dogs for the Blind placement page.
Q: Do the puppies and raisers ever get to have fun? Or is it all work?
A: Absolutely! Our puppies have fun and we have fun with them. When they have their jacket on and are out in public they are working. We work on house behavior and good manners all the time, but when at home they also get to relax and play, while still having good manners. The puppies can go almost anywhere with their raiser (with approval from leaders and a few exceptions).
Q: What are some benefits to being a puppy raiser?
A: As a puppy raiser, not only will you have the joy of a four-legged, wet-nosed companion by your side, you will also be joining a community of like-minded people all working toward improving the quality of life for people who are legally blind. Many raisers initially get involved for the snuggly cute puppies but end up making lifelong friends. Some raise only one puppy, but most continue to raise many because they enjoy both the puppies and the people.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and getting more information, please follow the link below to take a short survey. https://www.guidedogs.com/puppy
We look forward to meeting you.