2. How old is a puppy when it is placed with a volunteer puppy raiser? A puppy is about eight weeks old.

5. What does a puppy raiser do? A raiser has two major jobs that lay the foundation for actual guide dog training at Guiding Eyes: 1. Expose the puppy to everyday things such as stairs, traffic and people. 2.Teach the puppy manners and basic obedience 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.

6. Do puppy raisers train the puppies to be 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.

7. How long does a puppy stay with the puppy raiser? A puppy usually remains in the puppy raiser home until it is between 16 and 18 months old. This can vary depending on the puppy's development or the training school's need for dogs.

8. Do you need any previous dog training experience to be a volunteer puppy raiser?
No. Guiding Eyes provides all of the necessary training and education to raise the puppy. However, having a dog in the past helps in that it would provide some knowledge of what it's like to live with a dog.

9. Can the raiser have other family pets?
Yes, however other dogs in the home must be at least one year older than the GEB pup. Family pets must accept a puppy and be a good influence on the pup.

10. Does a Guiding Eyes puppy require any special food? Guiding Eyes pups are raised on Iams dry dog food.

11. Where does a puppy go if the raiser is out of town?
Other Guiding Eyes trained volunteers watch the pups while their raisers are away. In some cases, with the Region Coordinator's approval, the puppy can accompany the raiser on the trip to enhance the puppy's socialization.

12. Who pays for the puppy's expenses?
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.

13. Do all the puppies make it as guide dogs?
No, not all dogs are suited to take responsibility for a blind person's safety.

14. What happens to puppies that don't make it as guide dogs?
Of the puppies that do not continue to graduation as a guide dog, some are placed in other careers such as law enforcement as detection dogs and other service dog careers such as the Guiding Eyes Healing Autism program. Others that are released from the program go on to be loved pets of an adoptive family.

15. Do blind people pay for the dogs?
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 $45,000 it costs to graduate a guide dog team. People who can't raise are encouraged to help in any way they can.

16. How long do guide dogs work?
Guide dogs generally are retired between the ages of 8 to 10 years.

17. What happens when a guide dog gets too old to work?
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.

18.Are there other ways to help raise a puppy if I can't make a commitment for eighteen months? Yes, there is always a need for Guiding Eyes trained starter homes that will raise a puppy until it can be placed with a permanent puppy raiser, and Guiding Eyes trained puppy sitters. See the You Can Help page for more information.

19. What should you do when you meet someone with a guide dog?
Guide dogs should not be petted or disturbed while working in harness. When guide dogs are not working, do not pet them without first asking for permission.

If you wish to assist a person with a guide dog, first ask, "May I help you"? If your offer is accepted, then offer your left elbow. Do not grab the guide dog, the leash, harness or the person's arm. Doing so may place them in danger.

Do not feed a guide dog. Guide dogs are fed a prepared diet at home and feeding them may disturb their work schedule.