Puppy Raiser
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 9 weeks old until they are around 18 months. 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; but if you can cope with that it is such a rewarding role.
You will take your puppy along to monthly 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.
Mission Statement
We are Guide Dogs. And we’re here to help people with sight loss live the life they choose.
Guide Dogs is one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities. Our expert staff, volunteers, life-changing guide dogs and buddy dogs help people, both adults and children, with sight loss live the life they choose.
We simply couldn’t deliver our vital services without our incredible volunteers. Whether it’s raising a puppy or making a difference in your community, you can make a change that matters.
