Guide Dog Puppy Walking

[sonofoi]

Anyone done this or knows anyone who has done it? Wife keen to do it! Looks like you have the dog from 6 weeks to one years when it goes for its specialist training and this first year is 'socialising'.

[morag]

My sister does this (now on puppy number 2).

Puppy arrived as a ball of fluff (6 or 8 weeks) and she will have him until he's about 1 year old (when "proper" training starts). All food is supplied by the Guide Dog people, and she gets a payment on top. The puppy has to attend training classes about once a fortnight (puppy walker has to attend too). Other than that, it is just socialising like you say. She already has 4(!) cats, which I thought might be a problem. In fact, it's actually a benefit (they want the puppy to become accustomed to other animals too).

She has previously had dogs, and this counted in her favour. So if you have a dog now, or have had dogs in the past, then you are the ideal walker.

It's a really worthwhile thing to do. Puppies need homes for a year, before they go on to training and become the eyes of a blind person.

It'll be hard when he goes - but my sister knows this - and knows that he is going on to do something very worthwhile.

Any questions, just ask (or message me).

Edited October 6, 2014 by morag

[sonofoi]

Morag - thanks for the reply. That sounds like the info she has had. Think everything is included such as food and vet fees etc so dont think there is any payment.

My biggest query is, is it all legit but I suppose it must be! The pups have got to start somewhere I suppose.

[morag]

Assuming that it's through the official Guide Dog Association, then, yes, it's definitely legit.

Re the payment bit. The Guide Dog people deal with all of the vets bills too (the dogs get the best of treatment - so it's not cheap). The payment is on top of all that - and covers any other expenses that you might incur - eg transport for the dog (you are encouraged to take the dog on public transport), doggy toys etc.

They are pretty thorough with reference checking (the dogs are worth a few bob). In my sister's case it took the best part of a year (I think that it had more to do with the GD people being understaffed). But once she got the OK, it all went extremely quickly (after waiting for so long, she was a bit surprised to have a dog so soon after).

Don't underestimate how hard it will be to let go of your dog after a year though. You'll have watched it grow from being a baby, and will probably have become VERY attached to the pup.

It's an amazingly fulfilling thing to do though.

Edited October 6, 2014 by morag