Image of Guide Dog Puppy and Guide Dog Instructor Puppy Raising is a foster program for young Guide Dogs. The primary goal of the Puppy Raising Program is to produce healthy, well-behaved and well-socialised dogs that can be trained as Guide Dogs.

A Puppy Raiser cares for a puppy in his or her own home and provides all the attention it needs. This includes feeding, grooming, exercising, house training, vet check ups and teaching some simple obedience.

Puppy Raisers introduce the puppy to the different types of environments and experiences it may encounter as a Guide Dog.

How Does Puppy Raising Work?

Puppies are placed with Puppy Raisers from 8 weeks of age until they are approximately 18 months old
We provide everything Puppy Raisers need to care for and train puppies, including food. Cottesloe Animal Hospital provides all Veterinary Consultations, vaccinations and treatments at no charge
Puppies attend regular obedience training, which begins when the puppies are approximately 20 weeks old and may last until they are 18 months old. Our Guide Dog Instructors run the 40-minute classes at a local recreational park in Victoria Park.
The puppy's socialising begins in a quiet residential area and progressively develops as the puppy matures, to include busy commercial areas such as the city. As soon as the puppy is trustworthy (where its toileting is concerned) Puppy Raisers are encouraged to take it into shops and other public buildings
Puppies are visited every month to check on their progress
Puppies look to their Puppy Raisers for everything including affection, support, encouragement, guidance and some loving discipline.

Selecting Puppy Raisers

When we choose puppy raisers, we ask that they meet a number of criteria, so we can ensure that our puppies are well cared for and have the best chance of meeting the high standards we require for Guide Dogs.

Applicants for Puppy Raising need to:

Have a drivers' license and their own private vehicle
Have a dog-proof fence to prevent the puppy from straying
Be prepared to let the puppy sleep and spend most of its time indoors
Be prepared to not leave the puppy on its own for more than 3 hours
Commit to attending Puppy Training classes each week
Be able to walk the puppy at least once a day
Have access to an environment with children (such as a Primary School) in order to familiarise the puppy with this age group
Not have pre school-aged children.

Puppy Raisers can take holidays. Their puppy will be boarded at our kennels or with another Puppy Raising family.

Would you like to apply?

If you would like to apply to be a Puppy Raiser, please contact us or download a