Do you know what's involved in raising Puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind?

WHAT are you letting yourself in for when you volunteer to be a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind?    What are the pro’s and con’s of raising one of their pups until it is old enough to go to full time training?   From my four year experience (many puppy raisers have much more) I’d like to highlight some of the pro’s and con’s.

Pro; The Guide Dog organisation provide a pup, a crate, insurance cover, all food, and used to give a large book  with the expected behaviours from the pup as it grows up, and lots of advice, Do and Don’ts.  Also; a big "pro"; expert help and advice throughout the pup’s time with a raiser (from individual Puppy Development Advisers - P.D.A.s)   They schedule visits throughout the pup’s time with raisers; more frequently to those new to puppy raising.  For me, personally, it is a regret that Guide dogs are changing more and more to digital communication but the P.D.A.s are always there to help.

Con; With a first pup a raiser may be thinking that house training the adorable bundle of fluff is the biggest thing.  My first pup, unusually, regularly pee’ in her bed, and, despite covering the floor with training pads, had a 90+ percentage success rate of missing these!  Then my second pup was dry day and night from the 1st.  However toilet training continues throughout a pup’s time with a raiser.  A blind or partially sighted owner may not be able to see to clear up after a dog, so raisers must expect to get up early enough to ensure the pups "poop" before they can leave the house together in the morning!   Also factor in time  to offer pups the opportunity to do so every time they (the raisers!) want to take them out.

The Guide Dogs organisation train by food pellet rewards for learnt behaviour.  Raisers should not train pups with special tasty treats  – when their pups go into training they won’t want to perform for just food pellets, and the trainers  will have a much harder time.

There are lots of things to remember when going about normal life with a guide dog puppy. In the house, don’t let them up on the furniture, or upstairs.  When walking  on the lead or harness the pup must walk on the left, must stop at every curb and walk across when told.  Must not try and greet every passer-by, with or without a dog.  When shopping with your pup watch out for its mouth sniffing food at one end, and it’s tail knocking things off shelves at the other!   Though someone had to point out to me that my pup was nibbling at a head of broccoli (purchased because it was his favourite vegetable) through the bars of my trolley.

Pro – having to take the dog out for a free run (nearly) every day – great for your health. Probably saved my sanity during Covid lockdowns, meeting fellow dog walkers in the dunes, chatting at a reasonable distance whilst our dogs ran around together.  I have made many friends through having a guide dog pup.

Cons – having to take him out on a cold wet winter evening for a last pee and hopefully poop!

A big "pro" for me is the companionship of a puppy, generally bred by Guide Dogs for excellent temperaments.  Because a fully trained guide dog will spend far more of his or her life constantly with their human partner, a raiser will spend far more time with a trainee pup than with most pet dogs, because a big part of their work will be taking the pup with them nearly everywhere they go, socialising the pup, giving him much more experience of everyday life situations than most pet dogs. The socialisation is also a benefit for the raiser, as many people re-act positively to a guide dog.

Pro; Many areas, and we are lucky Southport has one, have set up their own social support group, keeping in contact via WhatsApp, offering help, arranging chaotic monthly meetings.

The biggest "con" is having to give the dog up, but the Guide dog Association understand this, so the trainers keep in touch, telling you how the dog is progressing, and offering an opportunity near the end of their basic training to see the dog working, and the chance to play with the dog afterwards.   The reward is the sense of pride in your dog  when told he/she has graduated, and is now changing the life of a blind person.

Pro – being greeted every morning at the bottom of the stairs by a dog, usually with a toy in his mouth and an enthusiastically wagging tail!

Con – taking a pup is a major commitment, not a hobby you can try out for a few weeks and then just walk away.

Letter to Editor:- "A very productive and sunny afternoon in Formby Village"

"OUR local candidate, Nagender Chindam (NG) spoke to Formby residents and visited small businesses in the village, to discuss the issues important to them and their families. NG and his team of volunteers handed out hundreds of leaflets around the village and had a great afternoon on Saturday, 22 June 2024. If you want to know more why not join us at our Formby Rally, on:- Wednesday, 26 June 2024, from 6 pm to 8 pm. To attuned this Sefton Central event, please reserve a spot by on our event's Eventbrite Page. Thanks to everyone who supported us and continue to support us. Vote for Change on 4th July, Vote Vote Reform UK." Maria.