Leading with Love - Guide Dog Puppy Raising

Frequently Asked Questions

As puppy raisers, we often get asked many questions by members of the public. Here are answers to some of the most common questions as well as some of our favorite wacky ones:

• Why is your dog wearing a costume?
  This was asked of a puppy raiser in a Los Angeles parking lot. It was October, so perhaps the asker had Halloween on the brain! Guide Dog puppies do not wear costumes, of course, but they do wear green jackets that identify them as Guide Dog Puppies in Training. The jacket serves a couple of important purposes: first, it clearly identifies the dog as being in training. The dog can therefore access many places where pet dogs are not allowed. Secondly, the jacket is a signal to the dog that he is working. Our puppies usually know when it's playtime and when it's time to work and be on their best behavior!

• Is that one of those blind dogs?
  No, this puppy can see very well. In fact, this puppy is being trained to help someone who is blind or visually impaired.

• Can I pet your puppy?
  Great question! Thanks for asking! It is always important to ask the handler before you pet ANY dog and Guide Dog puppies are no exception. The raiser will usually allow you to pet the puppy if you ask, but will first give the dog a command to sit or lie down before being petted. This is important for the puppy's training so please be patient. There may be situations when a raiser does not want their puppy to be petted. It is important to respect this if the raiser asks that you do not pet their puppy. It may look like they are just out walking in the mall, but in fact they may be working on something very specific. For example, the dog may have become distracted by a new or strange display, may be apprehensive about the crowds or it may be that they are working on new surfaces or walking well on the leash. So the raiser may want the puppy to stay focused for any number of reasons. However, it is important that a puppy is well socialized so generally it is beneficial for the puppy's training for him to be petted when on outings.
  On the other hand, if you see a working guide dog, it is important not to distract them from their job of guiding. They must be very focused and it is usually best not to disturb the guide team. However, if the team is stopped, then it would be appropriate to ask the owner if you would like to pet their dog. Never pet the dog when it is working, and ALWAYS ask permission first.

• Why do you take your puppy into stores with you?
  Raisers take their puppies nearly everywhere they go - banks, restaurants, grocery stores, work, school, the movies, the mall and so forth. We want to expose the dogs to many different situations and environments so that when they are working guides, they will not become distracted or frightened by new places, sights, sounds, smells, people, ground surfaces and other elements in their environment. The more experiences they have, the better prepared they are to handle new situations.

• What breeds of dogs are used?
  Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) uses four different types of dogs. About 80% of their dogs are Labrador Retrievers (of which about 80% are yellow and the other 20% black), 12% are Golden Retrievers, 6% are German Shepherds and 2% are crossbreeds between Labs and Golden Retrievers.

• Can my pet dog become a guide dog? She'd be great at it!
  All of GDB's puppies are whelped from the school's own specially selected breeding stock. Occasionally GDB and other guide dog schools will exchange puppies to diversify their gene pool. The breeding program, established in the late 1940s, ensures the school's consistent production of dogs with the traits and qualities necessary to become working guides. Approximately 50 new breeders are added to the program annually; of those, 75 percent are female. Females are generally bred once a year; males are used for breeding as frequently as needed. Puppies are socialized and handled from a very early age.

• How old are the puppies when you receive them?
  The puppies are usually about eight weeks old when they are placed with a raiser. Raisers begin socializing and handling their puppies immediately.

• How long do you keep the puppy? What happens to him when you have to give him back?
  This varies, but raisers typically keep the puppies for approximately 12-14 months. The puppies then go for formal training at either the San Rafael (CA) or Boring (OR) campus. This training period also varies depending on the dog as each dog is individual and some learn faster than others, but it usually takes anywhere from 6 to 10 months. The average age of a dog when it graduates as a guide is 22-26 months. When the puppy successfully completes all 10 phases of formal training, it goes into class with his new handler, the guide dog user. GDB makes a considerable effort to carefully match the handler and dog. The 4-week class allows the team to learn to work together and get to know each other under the supervision of the instructors. Click here to read a wonderful account of this class as experienced by a first-time guide dog user. Upon completion of the class, the dog and handler graduate at a graduation ceremony which the raiser is invited to attend. Needless to say, this is a very proud and happy moment.

• Isn't it hard to give them up? I couldn't do it, I'd get too attached.
  This has got to be the number one question asked of puppy raisers. Of course we get very attached to our puppies and it is very difficult to say goodbye. Many tears are shed on the days when the puppies are brought to the puppy truck for the long drive to school! However, we know from the day we submit our application for the puppy that he does not belong to us and that we have the privilege of raising him for a very good cause. It is very rewarding to be involved in such a worthwhile experience. Many raisers think of sending their puppy back to Guide Dogs as sending their child off to college. We will miss them terribly and feel very sad, but at the same time we very much want them to do well and succeed. Many raisers are fortunate enough to keep in touch with the guide dog user paired with their dog so they can get periodic updates on how the dog is doing and what fun or interesting experiences he's had.
  Nearly half of the dogs do not make it as guides and are "career changed" for any number of reasons. If a dog is career changed, the raiser may get an opportunity to adopt the dog as a pet. Some dogs may be trained to become hearing ear dogs for the deaf. Still others may be placed in the K9 Buddy program, which places dogs as pets with blind or visually impaired youth in an effort to introduce the concept of a guide dog and promote the human animal bond to blind and visually impaired children. There is also a waiting list of people who would like to adopt career changed dogs, so if the raiser is unable to adopt him, then the raiser at least knows he will be placed in a good home that has been carefully screened by GDB.

• What exactly is a puppy raiser? Are you a professional dog trainer?
  A puppy raiser is simply a person who receives a guide dog puppy to socialize and train until it is recalled for formal training. Raisers are not professional dog trainers. Many raisers do not have any experience with raising or training dogs before they receive a guide dog puppy. Raisers are provided with Puppy Raising Manuals which cover all sorts of topics, such as training techniques, grooming, appropriate play and outings and so forth. Additionally, most puppy raising clubs hold meetings at least twice a month which raisers are required to attend. These meetings involve a variety of activities and opportunities for raisers to share their experiences and any concerns they may have. Raisers also write up monthly reports on their puppy's progress.

• Do you get paid to be a puppy raiser?
  Puppy raising is a volunteer activity so raisers do not get paid. It does not cost anything for the raiser to receive a puppy. GDB pays for all vaccinations and up to $250 of veterinary care as well as the cost of neutering or spaying the puppy (if done before the dog is recalled). Most other expenses, including food and toys, are covered by the raiser. Many expenses, including mileage to and from meetings and events, may be tax deductible.

• What do I have to do to become a raiser?
  If you are interested in puppy raising, contact your local guide dog puppy raising club and talk to the leaders and raisers to make sure you have the time and energy to commit to this worthwhile project. You will be asked to attend at least 3 meetings, complete an application form and be interviewed by a club leader before you can get a puppy. You will also have a home inspection to make sure your home environment is suitable for a guide dog puppy and you may be asked to puppysit one of the guide dog puppies in the club for a few days so you can experience, among other things, what it is like to take them out in public.

• Do I have to be in 4-H to be a puppy raiser?
  No, you do not have to be in 4-H to raise a guide dog puppy. The number of adult raisers is increasing each year. Adults are just as welcome to raise guide dog puppies as youth are.

• What do you teach the puppy?
  Puppy raisers must teach their puppy basic obedience (commands such as sit, down, stand, come, do your business (relieve on command) and let's go). The dogs must also learn proper house manners (not jumping on people or furniture, not forming destructive habits such as chewing or digging), to respond to its name, not to sniff or eat things off of the ground, not to accept food that it is offered, how to walk over odd surfaces and so forth. Raisers socialize and expose the puppy to a variety of experiences by taking them on regular outings. Raisers do not teach the dog how to guide - that is the job of the professionals!

• I can't make the commitment to be a raiser right now, but is there any other way I can get involved?
  Certainly! We always need puppy sitters, for example. When a raiser goes out of town and is unable to take their puppy, the puppy must stay at an approved puppy sitter's home. Contact your local puppy raising club leaders for more information on how to become a puppy sitter. GDB depends on donations in order to continue providing guide dogs to blind or visually impaired people at no cost. If you are interested in making a charitable donation, click here!

• Why is your Guide Dog puppy wearing a muzzle?
  Guide Dog puppies do not wear muzzles, but you will see some wearing head collars. These are either Haltis or Gentle Leaders. The head collar is a humane training tool that helps a puppy become calm and focused when it becomes distracted. The head collar is designed to permit the puppy to fully open its mouth and can be worn even when the puppy is eating, drinking or playing.

• Do you get to name your puppy?
  No. GDB never has two dogs - whether working or in training - with the same name in their program at any time, so many of the names are quite creative. Each litter of puppies has names that start with the same letter. So all littermates will have names starting with the same letter, such as Nixie, Novella and Norliss. This also makes it easier at guide dog events for raisers to meet their puppy's littermates when they see a puppy of about the same age and ask what their name is. Raisers do not know what their puppy's name will be until they actually receive the dog - before that, you are only told the breed, sex and the first letter of the pup's name. If your female puppy is eventually chosen to become a breeder, you can submit names for her first litter of puppies.

• Are all Guide Dogs male?
  No, both male and female dogs are used as guides. All working guides are spayed or neutered before being placed as a guide.

• What is the average working life of a guide dog?
  Six to eight years is the average time that a guide dog works. When they become unable to guide well, then many times the handler will keep their retired guide as a pet, as a very strong bond exists between dog and handler. If for any reason they cannot do so, then they can place the dog with a family member or close friend. Sometimes the raiser may also be offered the option of adopting the dog for its retirement years. Guide Dogs for the Blind also has a dog placement program so they can find a very good home for the dog if the handler or raiser is unable to adopt it.

• Have more questions?
  Please e-mail us with any other questions you may have! We would love to hear from you!