EXPECTATIONS OF PUPPY RAISERS

Guide Dogs for the Blind

OBJECTIVES: Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) relies on its puppy raisers to: nurture and love their Guide Dog puppies, provide them with a safe home environment, keep their puppies healthy, keep their puppies under control through the use of approved training techniques and to socialize their puppies within their communities thereby helping their puppies to develop the skills and habits they will need to enter formal Guide Dog training.

All Guide Dog puppy raisers are expected to:

· Undergo a home visit by a GDB approved leader and be approved by that individual (this includes all individuals who will be puppy sitting the puppy as well as all homes in which the puppy will reside).

· Use GDB approved training and management techniques when working with or caring for GDB puppies.

· Raise the puppy inside as a house dog.

· Provide a safe and securely fenced yard and/or a safe and secure confinement area for relieving the pup. The outside area must contain shelter from the elements and access to water.

· Provide a method to care for and relieve the puppy at least every 4-5 hours during the daytime until the puppy is six months old.

· Attend and participate in at least 80% of regularly scheduled club meetings and outings.

· Spend a minimum of 30 minutes each day with the puppy without the presence of other dogs.

· Provide an environment free of dogs with a history of aggression.

· Provide direct supervision when their dog is with other dogs.

· Leave the puppy in a safe, harm free environment (particularly not to leave the puppy alone for extended periods of time in a fenced yard).

· Provide appropriate food, grooming supplies, and veterinary care. (We strongly recommend that raisers have a crate).

· Securely fence swimming pools, spas and other bodies of water to prevent unsupervised access by the puppy.

· Keep all their pet cats and dogs current on their vaccinations.

· Maintain their GDB puppy and any other pet cats and dogs they may have on a flea/tick control program.

· Provide a safe setting for teaching the puppy to remain alone, unconfined in the home.

· Complete and submit monthly to their club leader, a GDB Puppy Raiser’s Monthly Report

Guidelines for co-raisers and individuals with multiple dogs:

· The total number of dogs allowed in any GDB puppy raiser home will vary with each individual’s home situation. Approval for multiple dog households must be given by the leader with final approval by the Community Field Representative.

· The maximum number of GDB puppies allowed in any one raiser or puppy sitting home is two.

· All GDB and pet pups living in a home must be at least 8 months of age before a second GDB or pet puppy may be introduced into the household. GDB puppies over 8 months of age do not have to follow the age difference rule before another GDB or pet puppy may be introduced into the household.

· Only two families/individuals or combinations of individuals and families may co-raise a puppy at any one time.

· A person may raise only one puppy at a time with the exception of a parent or guardian who may co-raise two puppies with two of their own children.

All applicants to raise a GDB puppy must be approved by both a GDB approved Leader and the current GDB Community Field Representative.