Puppy Raiser

Puppy Raiser

Posted for Guide Dogs Central

Posted by Newark, Sherwood, Rushcliffe & Broxtowe

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We are currently recruiting for Puppy Raiser volunteers.

This role is a homebased, full-time and long-term volunteering role; providing our puppy, from about the age of seven weeks until between 12-16 months, with the early stages of socialisation and education in to becoming a Guide Dog; after this period, the puppy will then head off to one of our training centres to begin their specialised training.

You will need to care for, feed and train the puppy, which is very time consuming, particularly when they are young, our puppies cannot be left on their own for more than three hours; with the training, you will be expected to teach basic obedience commands, including when the puppy goes to the toilet and you will need to provide a suitable outside area (ideally gravel or pavement) where the puppy can go to the toilet. You will also need to familiarise the puppy to different environments, people, sounds and situations.

We are looking for people with great communication and excellent interpersonal, also having experience with dogs is a great advantage but not a requirement and we provide full training, induction, and support to our Puppy Raisers, with regular and continued contact with a dedicated Puppy Development Advisor.

If you are interested in this volunteer role, please apply via the Guide Dogs website - https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/volunteer-with-our-dogs/puppy-raiser/

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
• Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
• Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
• Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of three hours.
• Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
• Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.

What skills do I need?

You'll ideally have:

• A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
• Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
• Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
• A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.
• Puppies can happily live with other dogs or children. To determine whether you can provide a suitable environment for a puppy in the company of other dogs or children, we will conduct a home visit as part of the application process.
• Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to walk the puppy but we encourage the whole family to be involved in some of the puppy’s development.