Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AMA
Original poster

I raise puppies for Guide Dogs AMA

30 replies

PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 16:37

So this is my first AMA, but I get a lot of questions on the street so thought I’d try it. I volunteer for Guide Dogs, raising their puppies until they go into training to become a working Guide Dog. The only thing I don’t want to say is the present dogs name, because that’s pretty outing! But apart from that, AMA!

OP posts:
OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 21/12/2022 16:43

Is it hard to say goodbye to the pups?

Do you ever stay in contact with any of them?

Enko · 21/12/2022 16:46

Do you have to do any specific " pre training"?

TeenDivided · 21/12/2022 16:47

How long are they with you for?

TeenDivided · 21/12/2022 16:48

Did you have any issues in lockdown with not being able to socialise them enough?

Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 16:50

@OhBeAFineGuyKissMe its so hard to give them up, but I know before they even arrive that they’re not mine to keep. Guide dogs tells me where they go fro their training and so far I’ve heard from all the Guide Dog Owners who have my puppies!

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 16:52

@Enko , not really! They do monthly puppy classes with my supervisor and there’s some online training, but there’s not much actual training. I live near other more experienced raisers and we meet up regularly to share advice so that helps! Before my first puppy arrived, I met with my supervisor who brought an older puppy over to see how I would manage with handling it, but that’s it!

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 16:52

@TeenDivided usually just over a year. They arrive at 8 weeks and leave at around 14-16 months

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 16:54

@TeenDivided yes, this was a huge issue, and it’s showing in working dogs now. They’re not as used to crowds, not as good with public transport or busy shops. There wasn’t anything we could do about it, but lots of puppies stayed on a bit longer to try and increase their socialisation experiences

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 21/12/2022 16:54

Do you just have one at a time?

Anewuser · 21/12/2022 16:55

I would love to do this, how did you get into it? Can anyone do it?

Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 17:11

@TeenDivided yes I do, although I know there’s sometimes some overlap when an older puppy is booked to go into training and an 8 week old is struggling to be placed. They’ll put the new puppy in the home before the older one moves out. This hasn’t happened to me before though

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 17:14

@Anewuser i know they’re actively recruiting at the moment so have a look on the Guide Dogs website for availability in your area? The main criteria is time. I work but it’s from home and very flexible. You need to show that you have time to spend working with the dog, and can’t do that if you’re working all the time? It’s definitely worth contacting them and having a conversation though

OP posts:
yaboreme · 21/12/2022 17:15

I don't have any questions but I just wanted to say it's truly wonderful that you train these pups, for people who need them.

We adopted one for our son when he was born, we love getting the pup dates and seeing their journey to their new family.

Well done Daffodil

Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 17:44

@yaboreme 🥰

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/12/2022 17:47

Can I come round Grin

Do you often get bothered by people trying to fuss them when you're out and about?

RocketSurgeon · 21/12/2022 17:57

You're doing a grand job, thank you so much.

What breed have you got at the moment?

I have a9 month old Golden Retriever puppy and she really is the most wonderful thing. Her temperament is just Golden - cliché but so true.

I'd like to train her to be a hospital visiting dog when she's older. I just want to share her with the world.

fortheloveofcheesecake · 21/12/2022 17:58

No questions. Just wanted to say how amazing guide dogs and the people who train them are. I used to work closely with people who had benefitted from having a guide dog. They are literally life changing. Just wonderful to see someone's independence return. Thank you for all you do.

Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 18:05

@JesusInTheCabbageVan most people are really good and I’ll hear them saying not to pester the puppy. Some will ask and (depending on what training we are doing) I’ll either say yes or no. The ones that bother me most are the ones who whistle or make noises to distract the dog, without asking. I had someone sit opposite us in the pub and whistle all through my meal once. It’s very annoying, but there’s not much I can do except train the dog to ignore them :)

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 18:06

@RocketSurgeon my present puppy is a retriever cross lab, my favourite breed :)

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyRaiser · 21/12/2022 18:06

@fortheloveofcheesecake thank you ❤️

OP posts:
LipsSoScarlet · 22/12/2022 00:25

I know someone who tried this out but the puppy wasn’t suitable to be a guide dog so she kept her as a pet in the end. Have many of yours not been able to pass their training?

justgettingthroughtheday · 22/12/2022 00:32

Are you allowed to take them to non guide dog training classes? Like normal puppy training and socialising or does it all have to be guide dog stuff?

MerryShitemas · 22/12/2022 00:36

So they don't have any guide dog training before 14-16 months? So interesting! I'd assume they were trained from really young!

AlwaysLatte · 22/12/2022 00:38

How do you train them not to be typical Labradors?? We absolutely love our 16 month old lab and are home all day with him so he gets lots of attention and been to training classes, but he's still so excitable around other people, dogs and food! I can't imagine him being a guide dog even though he looks like one!

Rebeljustforkicks · 22/12/2022 00:40

No questions because me too! 😁 (fist bump)

Swipe left for the next trending thread