Chiswick families needed to raise guide dog puppies in their important first year

Playful Labrador puppies need the right foundation for their future role as guide dogs: photograph Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs charity has targeted Chiswick as the perfect urban area to acclimatise a puppy to a busy town centre

If you’re a dog lover and have space in your home to raise a puppy, then taking care of a guide dog in training could be the ideal voluntary job for you. Not only will you have the joy of loving and raising a puppy but also the reward of training it for its future role as a life-changing guide dog.

You’ll also be part of an inspiring  local community of puppy raisers who will join you and your dog on the path to making a difference to someone living with sight loss.

Experienced puppy raisers Alistair and Ali: photograph Guide Dogs

An army of volunteers is needed

Guide Dogs (also known as The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association) is looking to add to its 17,000 volunteers who raise a puppy from six-eight weeks until it is 12-16 months old, guiding him/her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.

You’ll receive full training and support, and all dog food and vet costs are covered.

Chiswick puppy development advisor, Stephanie Ranson, with a golden retriever: photograph Guide Dogs

Why Chiswick?

With its vibrant town centre, Chiswick is an ideal training ground for a young puppy.

“A variety of town centre activity is really good for a puppy,” says local volunteering attraction co-ordinator Claire Rossall. “And we’re looking for more families in the W4 area, so that all the volunteers can support each other.”

Chiswick puppy development advisor, Stephanie Ranson, explains, the benefits of the area:

“Being exposed to different situations and environments when puppies are small means they grow in confidence and can approach those environments with ease once in their working role.”

Building confidence in the street is a key skill for guide dog in waiting: photograph Guide Dogs

What is required?

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll groom and feed your dog as well as taking him/her to the shops, office or parks as you go about your normal activities.

An important skill is teaching your puppy to be alone, building from a few minutes to three hours a day, but if you’ve an office job where you work nine to five (unless you’ve permission to bring your dog) you won’t be a good fit for raising puppies; a puppy needs regular attention. Your availability is a big consideration.

In addition, you’ll be part of a world-class training programme and take your puppy to monthly classes where you’ll meet other puppy raisers in your area. These are skills that will help you train your own dogs or support a future career in dog handling.

From time to time, there will be short questionnaires on your dog’s progress and opportunities to meet with your volunteer manager to discuss any issues.

Children can help raise a puppy, but cannot be the primary carer or walk it alone

Am I suitable?

It takes a big heart to take on a gorgeous puppy that you will have to selflessly give up to guide dog training and eventually a new owner, but you will be updated on how your puppy is doing on its 20-week course, if it passes, and when it has been matched with its service user.

The primary carer for the puppy must be over-18 to walk the dog, but as he/she will benefit from living in a loving family, children are encouraged to be involved and so too are other family dogs.

There are also practical considerations.

As a puppy raiser, you’ll need space in your home and (if rented) permission from your landlord to keep a dog. The property will need a safe outdoor area for the dog to go to the toilet.

You’ll need enough time to invest in the puppy’s needs (eg. toilet training), patience for its mischievous play and a lot of love. Someone in your household needs to be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) and be fit enough to exercise it regularly rain or shine.

It’s important to have access to a car as a puppy will need to be accustomed to travelling in vehicles.

A puppy raiser must be able to handle a large breed dog: photograph Guide Dogs

How do I find out more?

If you’re still interested in puppy raising, Tim Seamark-Coope, local volunteering attraction co-ordinator for London, would love to hear from anyone who thinks they might be suitable (even if it’s at a future date) and can be contacted via Guide Dogs volunteering team on 0345 1430191 or email at volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk.

There’s also more information, see Volunteer as a Puppy Raiser, on the Guide Dogs website.

Other ways to help

If puppy raising is too big a commitment, there are many other ways to get involved in this great cause. Guide Dogs has opportunities for fundraising, campaigning, donating, education and sighted guide training. You could also apply to adopt a retired guide dog or one that has not completed its training. For more information visit Guide Dog’s website.

READ MORE: on fostering a dog that has failed its guide dog exams.