| There are more than 1,000 families raising Guide Dog puppies throughout the United States. |
| Breeds used as guides: Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador/Golden crossbreeds (smooth Coated Collies are being raised as part of a pilot program). |
| Guide Dog puppies are considered part of the family. They sleep indoors and accompany their raisers to activities and outings. |
| Raisers receive the pups when they are approximately 8 weeks old. The dogs are returned to the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus when they are between 13 and 18 months old. |
| Puppy raising is an accredited 4-H project; however, adults and non 4-H youth raise puppies. |
| Short-term raisers are needed who will keep a puppy until it is at least 20 weeks old. These raisers housetrain and begin socializing the puppy before it is placed with another raiser who will finish raising the pup. |
| Puppy raising clubs also need volunteers to
help with tasks other than actually raising a pup, such as public relations,
puppy sitting, event coordination, clerical work, etc. |
Potential raisers submit completed applications
for approval and attend preliminary club meetings.
In addition:
| All members of the household must be committed to raising a puppy. |
| Raisers can be youth, 9 years and older. |
| Raisers must provide a safe and secure living environment. Young puppies need to be supervised throughout the day. |
| All puppies must be on leash when not in a secure area. |
| There must be a compatible relationship with other pets in the home. |
| Puppies must sleep indoors. |
| Raisers must provide daily exercise and socialization for the puppies. |
| Raisers and puppies are to attend regularly scheduled club meetings and outings. |
| Raisers are responsible for some expenses, including food and incidental expenses. These expenses may be tax-deductible, depending on the raisers' state tax laws. |
| Raisers use Guide Dog approved training and management techniques when working with the puppies. |
| Raisers need to be willing to travel to meet with Guide Dog representatives for evaluation of the puppy's progress and/or attend training workshops. |
| Raisers must be a positive representative of Guide Dogs for the Blind within their communities. |
| Raisers are required to release the puppy back to Guide Dogs for the Blind at the organization's request. |
