|
![[Picture of puppy laying beside GEB lettered blocks]](/gfx/side-puppy.gif)









|
|

The Puppies
Guiding Eyes breeds Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Golden
Retrievers from lines that have exhibited the traits required for being
a guide, such as excellent health and a confident, serene and friendly
temperament. Puppies are tested when they are seven weeks old. Those
that show promise as potential guide dogs are matched with waiting raisers. |
![[Picture of two black lab puppies in a basket]](gfx/basket2.gif) |
After the pups have
matured, they return to Guiding Eyes for the Blind for testing, and then may continue on to
formal training as guide dogs. Each dog that completes the training provides
invaluable independence, mobility and companionship for a carefully matched
blind person. The realization of dog and person together as a team is
an exciting and emotional experience shared on graduation day, when raisers,
students and staff witness the culmination of the rigorous training that
students and dogs have undergone.
The Raisers
Our puppy raisers are of all ages, family situations and walks of life;
but they all have one thing in common--they share their love and time,
providing pups with the support and direction needed to prepare them
for formal training as guide dogs. Most raisers keep the pup throughout
its first 14 to 20 months. Others enjoy starting a pup during its early
months and having another raiser finish the pup. Some raisers work with
older pups needing puppy-sitting or extra socialization time. A puppy
raiser's primary responsibility is to provide a safe and supportive home
for the pup as it grows up. In addition, raisers house-train,
teach manners and basic obedience, familiarize the pups with everyday
experiences and introduce them to a wide variety of situations and environments,
and attend local socialization classes and quarterly puppy evaluations.
No prior experience is necessary to be a puppy raiser, as Guiding Eyes will
provide training and support for anyone who is committed.
Support
When someone decides to take on the responsibility of raising a GEB puppy,
he or she is not alone! Each raiser receives a puppy raising manual, training
video and expert advice on how to raise a mature confident dog. Guiding Eyes
also provides collars, ID tags and a crate for each pup. All raisers in the
Cuyahoga region attend puppy socialization classes on Thursday evenings. Although
raisers are responsible for food, flea/tick prevention and toys, much
of the pups' medical attention is provided by Guiding Eyes and donated local
veterinary care. There are even volunteer puppy sitters available to take care
of pups when their raisers leave town.
What Next?
People interested in raising a puppy must attend regional puppy
socialization classes and complete a puppy raiser application.
Eligible applicants are interviewed and carefully matched with an appropriate pup.
For more
information, read the frequently asked questions
page or contact us!
|