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Frequently Asked Questions
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How old is a
puppy when it is placed with a puppy raiser? |
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A puppy is
placed in the home of a volunteer raisers when it is at least eight
weeks old. |
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How long does
a puppy stay with the puppy raiser? |
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A puppy usually
remains in the puppy raiser home until it is between 14 and 18 months
old. The length of time may vary, however, depending on the individual
puppy's development or Guide Dogs for the Blind's need for dogs. |
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Do I need dog
training experience to be a Guide Dog puppy raiser? |
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No. It is,
however, helpful if you have a pet dog, or have had one in the past. |
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What if the
12-18 months is too long of a commitment? |
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Guide Dogs for
the Blind also needs short-term raisers who will keep a puppy until it
is at least 20 weeks old. Short-term raisers housebreak and begin
training the puppy before it is placed with another raiser who will
finish raising the pup. |
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Are there
meetings to attend with the puppy? |
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Yes. Puppy
raising groups meet regularly under the direction of a leader trained
by Guide Dogs for the Blind. These informational meetings offer a place
to learn about training techniques, meet other raisers and participate
in excursions with the puppy. We ask that each puppy raising group meet
at least twice a month, but leaders are encouraged to meet weekly with
raisers who have puppies younger than 20 weeks of age. The meetings
generally last 1-2 hours depending on the activities scheduled. Since
Guide Dogs places puppies in raiser homes throughout the Western
states, the meeting times and places will vary depending on location. |
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Where does a
Guide Dog puppy stay when the raiser is out of town? |
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Raisers in puppy
raising groups frequently trade-off and supervise each other's puppies
when the raisers are away. In some cases, a puppy can accompany the
raiser on an out-of-town trip (with a leader's approval) in order to
further the pup's socialization. |
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Can I have
other pets while raising a Guide Dog puppy? |
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Yes. Controlled,
supervised interaction between a Guide Dog puppy and other animals is
beneficial for the Guide Dog puppy. |
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Where can a
Guide Dog puppy accompany its puppy raiser? |
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A Guide Dog
puppy should be exposed to a variety of socialization experiences.
Puppy raisers take their pups to malls, grocery stores, school and
work, among other places. Many times, the puppy raising group's
regularly scheduled meetings will include outings specifically designed
for puppy socialization. Leaders also teach the raisers appropriate
ways in which to expose the puppies to a wide range of socialization
experiences. |
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Does a Guide
Dog puppy require any special foods? |
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Yes. Guide Dogs
for the Blind does require that Guide Dog puppies be fed one of several
specifically chosen brands of high-quality dry dog food. A Guide Dog
puppy should never receive table scraps. |
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Who pays for
a Guide Dog puppy's food and other expenses? |
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Guide Dogs for
the Blind supplies leashes, puppy identification jackets, collars and
other necessary supplies such as flea and tick medication. Guide Dogs
also provides a $250 veterinary care reimbursement. The raiser pays for
the puppy's food, toys and incidental equipment such as grooming tools,
food bowls and a crate, if needed. |
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Are the costs
of raising a Guide Dog puppy tax deductible? |
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Yes. Guide Dogs
for the Blind is a nonprofit charitable organization, and all expenses
incurred by the raiser as they relate to raising the puppy (dog food,
veterinary bills, gas mileage, etc.) are considered a donation to Guide
Dogs. Guide Dogs suggests all puppy raisers consult with a tax advisor
to receive the proper IRS requirements for documentation. |
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What happens
to a puppy that does not become a guide? |
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Known as a
"career-change" dog, the puppy raiser is given priority to keep the dog
as a pet. If the raiser is unable or chooses not to keep the puppy, the
Dog Placement Department at Guide Dogs has a long list of applicants
eager to offer these dogs loving adoptive homes. |
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Can I be gone
during the day and still raise a Guide Dog puppy? |
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Yes, as long as
there are provisions made to relieve and exercise the puppy during the
day. Accepting an older puppy that doesn't have as rigorous a relieving
schedule could also be a consideration. |
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Is it
time-consuming to raise a Guide Dog puppy? |
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Raising a Guide
Dog puppy does involve spending time grooming, socializing and caring
for the puppy. Puppy raisers are taught ways in which to work ongoing
training into a daily schedule. |
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Do puppy
raisers find it hard to return the puppy to Guide Dogs? |
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Puppy raisers do
become very attached to their puppies; however, they are comforted with
the knowledge that their dogs will go on to become loving partners for
people who are blind or visually impaired. At special graduation
ceremonies, all puppy raisers are invited to formally present their
dogs as guides, share their puppy raising experiences and develop
friendships with their dogs' new partners. |
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For more
information on raising Guide Dog Puppies see the Contact Page.
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