Our Puppy Raising Program

Long time volunteer, board member and working on raising guide dog puppy number eight, Verne Blyth was awarded the outstanding volunteer award at B.C. Guide Dog Services' 10th anniversary celebration on September 30th

 

Our Puppy Walking Program...

The sight of a working guide dog elicits feelings of respect and love for this animal who is entrusted with the safety of a human being, and who is providing its user with independence he/she would not otherwise enjoy. To play an integral part in the training of such an animal is both admirable and rewarding. By accepting the care and education of one of BC Guide Dog Services' young puppies, families become one of the most valuable of our volunteers, "The Puppy Foster Family"

There are three parts to the Guide Dog Training Program:

1. The first part of the training is the socialization phase provided by the Foster family. Foster families usually obtain their dogs at about 7-8 weeks of age. They become responsible for housebreaking the pup, teaching the pup some basic obedience, and socializing the puppy by taking him/her with them during most of their day-to-day activities. These puppies are provided with blue and gray jackets that identify them as "Guide Dog Puppies in Training". This allows them access into all public places, i.e. shopping centres, restaurants, grocery store, rides on public transit etc. and prepares them for their future life as a working Guide Dog. The foster families become ambassadors of BC Guide Dog Services, as they are easily recognizable in their community by their puppies wearing these jackets.

2. The second phase of Guide Dog Training usually begins at about 14 months of age, when the dog is mature enough to start its formal lessons under fully qualified Guide Dog Instructors. On average this stage of training takes about 6 months.

3. Approximately 60% of the puppies that enter the program actually end up qualifying as working Guide Dog. If the dog successfully completes the second phase of training, and is clear of any health problems then he/she is carefully matched to a blind or visually impaired applicant and they start the third stage or Team Training stage. These classes will take place at the BCGDS residence and will last for 21 days.

VOLUNTEERING - What is expected

Being the foster family for a puppy is a twenty four hour a day, seven days a week volunteer job. It is like no other form of volunteering. The supply of trained guide dogs depends solely upon the availability and capabilities of Foster Families. Most of the Dogs in the program are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden crosses. Foster families expend energy, love, time and wonderful care to the puppies, in the full knowledge that the puppies are the property of BC Guide Dog Services. All food for the puppies is supplied free of charge by Ralston-Purina and Veterinarian costs are paid for by BCGDS.

The program is overseen by a puppy supervisor who will become the direct link to the training facility and the resource person for any questions you may have regarding the puppy. The puppy supervisor will visit families on a pre-arranged regular schedule. Minimum contact will be the "monthly" check up. The supervisor will assess the progress of the puppy, assist with any problems the family may have or that the Supervisor may detect. He/she will assist in coordinating visits with the Veterinary Health Care clinics etc. and will also schedule "obedience" training for the puppy.

The ultimate goal for the Foster Family is to turn over to the facility, at any given time, a puppy that is well prepared for his professional training as a working Guide Dog.

One of the underlying characteristics of your puppy, when he is ready to leave your home, is that he has developed social skills and behaves in such a manner that his presence will be acceptable in homes, offices, elevators, restaurants, hospitals, public areas, as well as on public transportation and in private vehicles.

CRITERIA FOR FOSTERING A PUPPY

Generally, the criteria for fostering a puppy include:

• A home where at least one adult is home during the day and generally accompanying and supervising the puppy most of the time.

• A home which provides a secure outdoor area (i.e. fenced back yard) for the puppy.

• As well as #2 above, an area that is easily accessed for the purposes of training the puppy, and where he can relieve himself.

• A home which can be puppy proofed without undue alteration or trouble. (i.e. poisonous plants removed, valuable articles put out of reach, electrical wires concealed, etc.) There must be areas where the puppy can be safely left for short periods of time (i.e. a kitchen where doors may be closed or blocked off to keep the puppy from roaming through the house)

• A sleeping area that is dry and comfortable, not drafty, and away from cold walls, and in the heat of the summer an area that is properly ventilated or air conditioned. 

• A home where there is no more than one other dog as a permanent resident (i.e. there may be a permanent family dog, or stud dog or brood bitch, and one puppy completing his training) (If the family is willing and able to foster another pup, this puppy may be delivered just prior to the trained puppy leaving for the training centre.

• Having children in the home is often preferable, as Guide Dogs must be socialized with all ages of people, and particularly tolerant of children. HOWEVER, there are guidelines regarding the interaction of the puppy with small children.

BCGDS cannot reimburse the Foster Families for damages incurred by the puppy and cannot cover the cost of fencing.  Puppies must never be tied, nor left alone (indoors or outdoors) for extended periods.

CONCLUSION

The contribution to BCGDS as a foster family is essential to our survival, and we are extremely grateful to these families for their efforts. If you have any further questions regarding our Volunteer Foster Puppy Program, please phone us at (604) 940-4504. We look forward to meeting you! Once again, we would like to express our appreciation to you for your interest in BC Guide Dog Services!