Puppy Raiser

Guide Dogs for the Blind
VO102845

Love puppies? Become a Puppy Raiser and change a life!

Are you ready to open your heart and home to a life-changing puppy?

As a Puppy Raiser, you'll give a 6–8-week-old puppy the best possible start on their journey to becoming a guide dog. Over 12–16 months, you'll help your puppy grow, learn, and experience the world – all while providing them with lots of love and support.
Yes, there might be the occasional chewed slipper, but nothing compares to the incredible pride of knowing you’ve helped a puppy prepare for a future as someone’s guide and companion.
What’s involved?
• Training support – You'll follow our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for their next big steps.
• Home care – From feeding and grooming to endless cuddles, you’ll help your puppy feel safe, loved, and confident.
• Socialising your puppy – Take your puppy along with you to the shops, parks, offices, and cafes – building their confidence in everyday environments.
• Teaching independence – Gradually help your puppy get comfortable being alone for up to four hours at a time.
• Puppy classes – Attend monthly local classes where you’ll refresh your training skills, share tips, and meet other Puppy Raisers.
• Ongoing support – Meet with your volunteer manager regularly to chat through any questions or changes in your puppy’s development.
You'll never be on your own – your volunteer manager and local classes will give you all the support and encouragement you need as you and your puppy learn together.

How to Apply: Click the ‘Apply’ button below (available once logged in and registered). After you apply, the coordinator will contact you by email or phone. If you don’t hear back within 5 working days, double-check your junk/spam folder – or contact the organisation directly.
If you need extra support, you can also reach out to Volunteer Glasgow at info@volunteerglasgow.org.
For more information or to apply online, visit:
www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppyraiser

Experience required

An ideal puppy raiser would have:
• A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
• Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
• Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you r

Travel details

This volunteering role will mostly be based at and around your home. However, there maybe some travel responsibilities like:

Regular Puppy Classes: You'll need to attend monthly puppy classes, which are essential for your puppy's development and for you to receive ongoing training and support.?

Veterinary Visits: Occasional trips to the vet will be necessary for your puppy's health check-ups and vaccinations.?

Socialization Outings: To help your puppy become comfortable in various environments, you'll take them on regular outings to places like shops, parks, and public transport.

Travel expenses

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.

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