We love the puppies and miss them when they're gone, but we're proud that we helped them become what they were meant to be. The joy of helping someone who needs a guide dog helps compensate for the sorrow of giving up a puppy. How many times will you have the opportunity to help another person find new independence?
A puppy is about eight weeks old.
![[a golden retriever, Labrador retriever, and german shepherd]](images/breeds.gif)
The most commonly used breed for guide dogs is the Labrador Retriever. They can be placed in every environment and with almost any person because they are such a versatile breed. German Shepherds and Golden retrievers are also used, but to a lesser extent.
The puppies come from Guiding Eyes own breeding colony located in Patterson, New York. They are bred for health, confidence and temperament.
A raiser has two major jobs that lay the foundation for actual guide dog training at Guiding Eyes:
- Socialize the puppy to everyday experiences such as riding in the car, meeting people and other animals, walking around traffic, lying quietly at a meeting.
- Teach the puppy manners so it is a pleasant companion in the house and in public.
The raisers perform an essential service; without raisers, there would be no guide dogs.
No, raisers do not train guide dogs. Raisers lay the foundation for future guide dog training by raising the puppy until it has matured, usually between 13 and 22 months of age. Then the puppy is sent to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Training Center in Yorktown Heights, NY where it is evaluated. If the puppy has the traits needed for guide dog work (excellent health and a confident, serene, and friendly temperament), it begins formal training with a professional guide dog trainer. After this formal training the guide dog is matched with a blind person and the team undergoes another month of training together.
A puppy usually remains in the puppy raiser home until it is between 13 to 22 months old. This can vary depending on the puppy's development or the training school's need for dogs.
No, but it is helpful if you have a dog, or have had one in the past.
Any good quality dog food is fine if the pup is doing well on it.
Volunteer "puppy sitters" watch pups while their raisers are away. In some cases with the Area Coordinator's approval, the puppy can accompany the raiser on the trip to enhance the puppy's socialization.
Guiding Eyes supplies collars, ID tags, and a crate. Local veterinarians donate medical care and vaccinations. The puppy raiser is responsible for the puppy's food, toys and incidental equipment such as food bowls and grooming tools. The raiser is also responsible for purchasing any flea or tick medication.
Not all dogs have the ability to take responsibility for a blind person's safety. Some are more suitable as a pet than a guide.
Some career change dogs are placed in other careers such as detection or therapy dogs. Or a dog released from our program may be a loved pet going back to the raiser or another adopter.
There is no charge to the blind recipient for his or her dog. Anyone age 16 and over who is legally blind is eligible to apply for a guide dog. Donations cover the $40,000 it costs to graduate a guide dog team. People who can't raise are encouraged to help in any way they can.
![[Yellow lab laying next to harness]](images/lab_harness.jpg)
The average retirement age for a guide dog is 10 years.
Most Guiding Eyes graduates keep their retired dogs as a member of the family or place them with close friends. In the few situations when a retired guide is available for placement, Guiding Eyes contacts the dog's raiser. If the raiser can't be located, we have a waiting list of people who have applied to adopt a retired guide dog.
Yes. There is always a need for puppy sitters, and sometimes for starter homes that will raise a puppy until it can be placed with a permanent puppy raiser. See the You Can Help page for more information.