FOR FUTURE RAISERS
Future Raiser Requirements Checklist
Puppy Raising Volunteer Manual |
- Read the GDB Puppy Raising Manual
- Attend 3 Elsinore GDB Meetings
- Attend 3 Elsinore GDB Outings/Training Sessions
- Parent/Family Meeting
- Leader Home Visit
- Puppy Sit 5 nights
- Complete GDB Volunteer Application
- Complete GDB Puppy Placement Questionnaire
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA and passing grades in all classes
Puppy Raiser Responsibilities
- Nutrition: Financially responsible. Purchase only GDB approved. Feed per leader directions with special attention to body score.
- Toys: Financially responsible. Only purchase GDB approved. Encourage solitary chew and appropriate interacting play.
- Vet Care: GDB reimburses all expenses. Neuter/spay if not on breeding list. Medical care as needed. Make and take pup to vaccine appointments.
- Medical Care: Give monthly heart worm and flea prevention. Teach pup to accept daily layover exams. Brush teeth, clean ears, groom and trim nails regularly. Teach pup to accept all these calmly.
- Potty Training: Teach pup to relieve on command/on leash ONLY on hard surfaces like concrete. Pup should never relieve when not given the command, in jacket, or even "ask" to go.
- Basic Training: sit, down, stand, heel position, loose leash walking, recall. All with MAJOR distractions that we will build up to slowly, Training is all positive reinforcement following GDB protocol.
- Socialization: Teach pup to be calm and focused in many different situations- heavy traffic, loud auditorium, around excited animals, on unusual surfaces, around unusual noises/objects/people. Take puppy on outings regularly.
- Good House Manners: Teach pup to stay on bed and in kennel, play calmly indoors, not steal food or items. Teach dogs to be alone in the house without being destructive.
You may not leave your pup for extended periods of time (no more than 2-4 hours). They should go with you, or stay with someone who will follow Guide Dog training protocol.
Basic Timeline
8-10 weeks old- Receive puppy from Puppy Truck
8 weeks-16 weeks old- Puppy is getting vaccines regularly. Basic potty training. Kennel. Calm sit/layover. Puppy stays in Ag department during the day. Puppy is NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE GROUND except in "safe" areas.
4 months old- You can set your puppy down on the ground after his rabies vaccine. Start going on very short outings.
5 months old- Puppy can start going to class with you and other outings. Focus on basic training, house manners and socialization.
15-17 months old- Puppy is recalled back to Guide Dogs training facilities.
Formal Guide Work training typically lasts 2-4 months.
- Graduation: You will be invited to participate in the graduation ceremony in San Rafael, CA or Boring, OR. You will hand the pup you raised to his new partner on stage.
- Career Change: The pup you raised might be placed with a different service organization. You will be given the details.
- Career Change Adoption: If the pup you raise is not fit to be a working dog, GDB will place the dog for adoption. Raisers get first choice to adopt.
8 weeks-16 weeks old- Puppy is getting vaccines regularly. Basic potty training. Kennel. Calm sit/layover. Puppy stays in Ag department during the day. Puppy is NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE GROUND except in "safe" areas.
4 months old- You can set your puppy down on the ground after his rabies vaccine. Start going on very short outings.
5 months old- Puppy can start going to class with you and other outings. Focus on basic training, house manners and socialization.
15-17 months old- Puppy is recalled back to Guide Dogs training facilities.
Formal Guide Work training typically lasts 2-4 months.
- Graduation: You will be invited to participate in the graduation ceremony in San Rafael, CA or Boring, OR. You will hand the pup you raised to his new partner on stage.
- Career Change: The pup you raised might be placed with a different service organization. You will be given the details.
- Career Change Adoption: If the pup you raise is not fit to be a working dog, GDB will place the dog for adoption. Raisers get first choice to adopt.