A woof out to potential puppy raisers at SA Guide Dogs
FOURWAYS – South African Guide Dog Association for the Blind calls on anyone who would like to get involved in the revolution.
South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind is now expanding its breeding programme and is calling on all canine enthusiasts to join in the efforts to help working dogs (guide, service and autism support dogs) fulfil their calling.
Puppy raisers play a key role in the training stages of preparing guide dogs for service. If you are interested in taking on the role of a puppy raiser, you need to be aware of a few things. People who want to be puppy raisers must have flexible schedules and be adjustable to different environments because they have to train their puppies to get used to all types of experiences.
Future puppy raisers must prepare themselves emotionally and be willing to foster the puppy for the training period, which will be for 12 to 14 months. “Some puppy raisers even take their dogs to work if their schedule allows it,” said Pieter van Niekerk, head of public relations at the association.
Puppies will go to their puppy raisers when they are seven weeks old and stay with them until they are ready to go for their formal training after 12 to 14 months. The formal training will last for 20 weeks and the puppies will only live with their trainers over the weekends.
As soon as the association finds a new owner after formal training has been completed, the puppy will then be paired with its new owner. The puppy raiser will be informed when it will be their last weekend with their service dog so that they can say their goodbyes.
Graduation walks are held on Saturdays so that the former puppy raiser has the opportunity to see their service dog and the new owner together. However, puppy raisers must keep a distance and shouldn’t interfere with the new relationship. The new service dog owner and former raiser can then have a cup of coffee afterwards.
READ: SA Guide Dogs ready to welcome new litter
The process to become a puppy raiser is complex and needs total commitment from the aspiring raiser. To become a puppy raiser, you can contact the association to show your interest. You will then receive an informative email with an application form attached. If the raiser then decides to apply, the association will interview the candidate on the telephone, a property check will be done and only then will a decision of admittance be made.
For more information on this subject go to https://www.guidedog.org.za or contact puppies@guidedog.org.za
