Volunteering

Puppy Raiser

For Guide Dogs

Register your Interest

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 14 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.

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. 

Skills

Requirements:

• Enough time to invest in training and socialising a puppy
• Access to a car
• Agreement from your landlord to have a dog in the property
• A safe and secure area outside on gravel or concrete for the puppy to toilet
• Physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40 kg)
• Happy to follow guidance on training the puppy.

About Guide Dogs

We are Guide Dogs. And we’re here to help people with sight loss live the life they choose.

Children and adults. Friends and family. Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help you live actively, live independently and live well.

Details

• No - DBS check required
• Yes - Equality and Diversity Policy
• Yes - Expenses reimbursed
  Guide Dogs 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. In line with the Volunteer Expenses Policy
• Yes - Health and Safety Policy
• No - Is it fully accessible
• Yes - Ongoing support
• No - Suitable for physical or sensory impairment
• No - Suitable for Under 18's
• Yes - Training provided
• Yes - Volunteer induction
• Yes - Volunteer Policy
• Yes - Volunteers covered by insurance
• Yes - Written role description

Availability

Puppy Raising is a full on volunteering role. You will look after the puppy in your home for around a year. You will need to have enough time to train and socialise the puppy.

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