Puppy Raising Information Sheet

Thank you for your interest in caring for a puppy for Guide Dogs Tasmania. Let us provide you with some information about the Puppy Development Program.

Yes, Yes I just want the application form!!

To apply to become a Puppy Raiser, click here.

• The primary goal of the Program is to produce well-socialised, temperamentally and physically sound young dogs to be assessed and, if suitable, trained as guide dogs for people who are blind or vision impaired.

• We place eight week old puppies into homes of accepted Puppy Raisers, where they remain until they are approximately 12-18 months old.

• The puppies have been specifically bred for their important future role as Guide Dogs. Puppy Raisers play a vital role in preparing the pups for future training.

• When the puppy leaves its mother and litter-mates and is placed into a puppy raising home, it is leaving its natural family to become integrated into its new 'human family'.

• Not that the puppy will consider you as a 'human family', as animal behaviourists tell us that puppies more than likely consider us as being other dogs (No disrespect intended!). This is an important point because, following the instinct of canine social order, the puppy will view the human family as its 'pack' and the primary puppy walker will take over the role of the puppy's new 'pack leader'.

• The leadership the puppy receives in its new home will shape its future emotional development and temperamental suitability for guide dog training.

• The young puppy will enjoy the acceptance, security, praise and positive discipline it will receive from its new family.

• The early experiences of the pup, through its interactions with men, women and children, and family pets too, will shape its temperament and future social behaviour.

• The puppy will need to be house-trained, and taught well-mannered behaviour within the home.

• The puppy will need to be taught to walk correctly on the leash and be discouraged from pulling and sniffing.

• We would prefer that the puppy/young dog is walked every day, however, if this is not always possible, it is essential that it is taken out at least six days of each week to ensure well-rounded socialisation.

• Progressively, the areas in which the puppy/young dog is walked will extend from down-the-street to around the block; from down to the local shops to shopping centres; and into busier areas where the dog will become conditioned to the presence of people and traffic. Pups need to be introduced to public transport too.

• The puppy should also have the opportunity to mix with friendly cats and dogs. It is good for the pup to meet livestock too if the opportunity presents itself.

• If there are no children in the home, it is important that the puppy is provided with opportunities to interact with children of all ages. Puppies that have not had the opportunity to interact with children are sometimes afraid of their noise and quick movements, and may subsequently be assessed as unsuitable for training.

• It is essential that you have a dog-proof fence. This prevents the puppy from wandering and also prevents other dogs from getting in. If you have a swimming pool, it should also be adequately fenced.

• Puppy Raisiers receive a visit every month from our Puppy Development Supervisor who will check on the puppy's progress, answer any of your questions and advise how you should proceed to the next stage of the puppy's development.

• Some of our puppy raisers work part-time or shift-work. Although it is not essential that the puppy has company all day, it is very important that the puppy should be fed and have human contact on a regular basis and has access to adequate opportunities for socialisation.

• Puppies can be time consuming. The approximate feeding times for a six-to-eight week old puppy are 8.00am; 12.00pm; and 4.00pm. The mid-day feed is stopped at 12 weeks of age. We provide for all of the puppy's food requirements.

• We supply collars, a leash and an identification medallion, a health record book, heartworm prevention tablets, and an information booklet on 'puppy raisers'.

• While you have the puppy, we pay all veterinary expenses, however, unless prescribed by your veterinarian, shampoo, rinses and dog soaps are not included.

• If you are going away on holidays or for a long weekend and are not able to take puppy with you, our Puppy Development Supervisor will make suitable arrangements.

If you would like to become a Puppy Raiser, click here.

To support the training of our puppies, visit Puppy Love.

Learn more about Guide Dog Assessment and Training here.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Guide Dogs.