You see a puppy, a person who is blind sees the world! And, at Guide Dogs for the Blind, this journey begins with volunteers. Our mission can only be accomplished with the help of our valued puppy raising volunteers who usher our puppies down the path to becoming guide dogs. We provide a community of support while you are being paid in unconditional love. This is volunteer service that is both warm, and fuzzy!
Puppy raising sounds like an amazing volunteer opportunity! Tell me more!
What to Expect
- Puppy raisers are responsible for teaching guide dog puppies good manners and providing socialization experiences for about the first year of the pups’ lives.
- Puppy raisers receive the pups when they are approximately 8 weeks old. The pups return to one of our campuses for their formal guidework training when they are between 15 and 17 months old.
- Puppy raisers all belong to puppy raising clubs in their local area. The clubs, which are all led by volunteers and overseen by GDB field staff members, provide a structure and framework for teaching the puppies foundational skills. The clubs meet regularly to exchange ideas and information, work on training techniques, and participate in socialization outings.
- If/when the pups graduate as guides, puppy raisers are invited to the graduation ceremonies to celebrate the life-changing partnerships they helped create.
Requirements
- You must join one of our puppy raising clubs, located in 10 states (see locations, directory, and contact information below). You'll need to commit to attending puppy club meetings both prior to receiving a puppy, as well as for the duration of the pup's time with you.
- All ages can participate in puppy raising, however primary puppy raisers must be at least 9 years of age.
- We will need to visit your home to be sure the environment is "puppy ready."
More to Know
- GDB's puppy raising program complements many FFA, 4H, home schooling, high school, and college programs.
- Even if you are not able to commit to raising a puppy full time, there are still other ways to get involved with your local puppy club, such as puppy sitting or co-raising with a fellow volunteer.
- No prior experience is necessary to become a puppy raiser.
Where are GDB puppy clubs located?
Guide Dogs for the Blind has puppy raising clubs throughout 10 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Please note: due to the hands-on nature of our program, we are unable to accommodate puppy raising volunteer opportunities outside of these areas.
I still have so many questions about raising a guide dog puppy. What else do I need to know?
Q: What is required of me before I become a puppy raiser?
A: Before being selected as a puppy raiser, a volunteer is required to attend several puppy club meetings in order to learn some of GDB's puppy development and training techniques, as well as experience multiple opportunities to handle puppies.
Q: How soon can I get a puppy after applying?
A: It takes approximately three months of attending puppy club meetings to fulfill the pre-requisites required to begin raising a puppy.
Q: How often do puppy clubs meet?
A: Puppy clubs meet a minimum of twice a month and sometimes as much as four times a month.
Q: What costs are covered in GDB’s puppy raising program?
A: Veterinary care is entirely paid for by Guide Dogs for the Blind. We also provide leashes, collars, and other training equipment.
Q: What supplies does a puppy raiser need to provide?
A: Puppy raisers provide food, toys, and sometimes crates for the puppy.
Q: Can I raise a puppy if I work or go to school full time?
A: Yes, if you are able to take the puppy to work or school with you. If your work or school doesn’t allow puppies in training to attend, we can facilitate a co-raising arrangement in which a single puppy can be raised in two different households to accommodate raisers’ work schedules and time commitments.
Q: Am I allowed to have other pets in the home while I raise a guide dog puppy?
A: Yes, as long as the other pets are well behaved and don’t negatively impact the puppy’s training. Our dogs need to learn to be comfortable around other animals so having other pets in the home can be extremely helpful.
Q: What type of training methods do you use with your puppies?
A: We use positive reinforcement as the basis for most of our puppy training exercises.
Q: Do puppies ever get to take a break and have fun?
A: Yes, every puppy has daily training exercises, but the rest of their day contains normal puppy activities such as playing and exercising.
Q: Do I need to have a fenced yard to raise a puppy?
A: No, a fenced yard is not absolutely required, but a puppy raiser must have access to a safe and secure outside area to relieve and exercise the puppy.
Q: What do I do with a puppy if I go on vacation or have an emergency?
A: Depending on the circumstances of the trip, a puppy may be able to accompany you on your vacation. If it is not appropriate or possible for the puppy to attend the vacation or there is an emergency, the puppy raising club leader assists with finding another puppy raising home to provide temporary care for the puppy.
Q: What happens if the puppy I’m raising does not become a guide dog?
A: Puppies that don’t graduate as guide dogs or enter into our breeding colony are known as “career change” dogs. If a puppy is career changed, it is first considered for placement in GDB’s K9 Buddy program (which places dogs as pets with children or youth who are blind or visually impaired and their families), or with one of GDB’s partner service dog organizations. If neither are viable options, then the puppy raiser may be given the option to adopt the dog as a pet.
Q: Will I get to meet the individual who received the dog I raised?
A: Usually, yes. Puppy raisers are invited to attend the graduation of the puppy they have raised, whether the dog becomes a guide dog or a member of our breeding colony. Graduation generally includes time to meet the dog’s handler or breeder custodians. There are circumstances where guide dog teams are trained in home and will not be present at a graduation ceremony.
Q: Is it hard to give the puppy up?
A: Yes. We are fortunate to have many puppy raisers who have raised more than one dog for us. They tell us that it is always hard to bring the dog back to campus for guide training, but their emotions are outweighed by the exciting possibility that the dog they raised could provide enhanced safety, independence, and inclusion for someone who is blind or visually impaired.
Q: Are there other ways to participate with Guide Dog for the Blind if I am unsure about making a 12-18 month commitment?
A: Yes, within the puppy raising program there are opportunities for volunteers to do more than raise a puppy full time. Puppy clubs in your area are often looking for club volunteers to fill support roles to the puppies in the club. If you live near one of our campuses in either San Rafael, CA or Boring, OR, there are many campus volunteer opportunities as well.
[EMBED YOUTUBE VIDEO FROM OREGON FUN DAY]
I’m ready - sign me up! What do I do next?
Puppy Raising Club Directory/Contact Forms
In the directory below, click on the location nearest you to be put in contact with the puppy club in your area. They will provide all of the information on how to get involved, and how to officially apply. We can't wait to meet you!
Please note: due to the hands-on nature of our program, we are unable to accommodate puppy raising volunteer opportunities outside of these areas.
- Flagstaff
- Phoenix (Northwest)
- Phoenix (Southeast)
- Tucson
- Yuma
- Anaheim
- Angel's Camp
- Auburn
- Bakersfield
- Bear River High School FFA (Grass Valley)
- Berkeley
- Bishop-Mammoth Lakes
- Brea
- Cal Poly University (San Luis Obispo)
- Cameron Park
- Castro Valley
- Chico
- Citrus Hill High School FFA (Perris)
- Colfax
- Danville
- Davis
- Diamond Bar
- Don Antonio Lugo High School (Chino)
- Elk Grove
- Elsinore High School FFA (Wildomar)
- Eureka
- Fair Oaks
- Fairfield
- Folsom
- Fremont
- Fresno
- Hanford
- Huntington Beach
- Irvine
- Laguna Niguel
- Lancaster
- Lemoore High School FFA (Lemoore)
- Lodi
- Los Angeles (Southwest)
- Merced
- Modesto
- Napa
- Oakley
- Palm Springs
- Palo Alto
- Pasadena
- Petaluma
- Pleasanton
- Redding
- Redondo Beach
- Rescue
- Ridgecrest
- Riverside
- Rocklin
- Roseville
- Sacramento
- Salinas
- San Diego
- San Diego (Northeast)
- San Diego (Northwest)
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- San Luis Obispo
- San Rafael
- Santa Clara
- Santa Clarita
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Maria
- Santa Rosa
- Shingle Springs
- Sonora
- Southwest High School FFA (El Centro)
- Temecula
- Thousand Oaks
- Trabuco
- Tracy
- Ventura
- Visalia
- Walnut Creek
- Boulder
- Colorado Springs
- Denver (East)
- Denver (South)
- Fort Collins
- Highlands Ranch
- Northglenn
- Boise
- Twin Falls
- Las Vegas
- Reno
- NMSU Community (Las Cruces)
- Bend
- Corvallis
- Eugene
- Hood River
- Lake Oswego
- Medford
- Portland (East)
- Portland (West)
- Salem
- Tulatin
- West Linn
- Austin
- College Station
- Dallas
- Denton
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- James Madison High School FFA (San Antonio)
- San Antonio
- Heber
- Layton
- Orem
- Salt Lake City-1
- Salt Lake City-2
- Salt Lake City Tech
- Auburn
- Bellevue
- Bellingham
- Enumclaw
- Issaquah
- Kennewick
- Kent
- Paulsbo
- Pullman
- Redmond
- Seattle
- Sequim
- Snohomish
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Vancouver
- Vashon
- Wenatchee
Already a current puppy raiser?
Here's the link to the puppy raising portal login page, where you can access forms, reports, documents, etc.
I'm a new puppy raiser - how do I create a puppy raiser login account?
Please check your email for our Welcome letter, which contains instructions for how to set up your puppy raiser login account, and more!
Missing your Welcome letter? Please be sure to check you SPAM filters...
Need more help or still have questions?
Please contact the Puppy Raising Department at ipuppy@guidedogs.com.