Raise a Puppy
Puppy Raisers are a crucial part of the Guide Dog training process. From socialization to introducing fundamental skills, our volunteer families change lives. Through love and training, Puppy Raisers set our dogs up for success, no matter their chosen career path.
You can be a part of the journey from puppy to Guide Dog.
Puppy Raisers are volunteers who agree to host a future Guide Dog puppy in their home. These puppies are placed with families by Guide Dogs of the Desert. Each family socializes a puppy by including them in their daily lives, routines and errands. They also work with puppies to teach them how to have great dog manners and be out and about in public appropriately. These fundamental skills are critical to their success as a working dog. Puppy Raisers play a vital role in helping each puppy on their path to success.
It is always the intention that puppies in our program will become Guide Dogs. However, for some dogs there may be physical or behavioral reasons that guide work is not the right fit. Some dogs may prefer to have a different type of job. You can click here to learn more about the types of placements / career paths offered by our program.
Guide Dogs of the Desert is passionate about supporting the families who have selflessly come alongside us in our mission. Our commitment is to work alongside you to set you and your pup up for success!
- In person and Zoom training sessions.
- Guide Dogs of the Desert is committed to supporting families as they learn how to support these dogs. Through instruction on fundamental skill building, to supportive coaching on an array of training strategies, our team will help you help these puppies thrive!
- Veterinary Care & Advocacy
- Events & Outings
- Networking & Community Support
Experience is not required to be a puppy raiser! Our team is prepared to support you in learning how to raise and train future Guide Dogs. Throughout the puppy’s journey, our team is there to help answer questions, and guide you through the process of nurturing a puppy into a future life changer.
Guide Dogs of the Desert looks for families willing to learn to love and support a puppy, to set them up for success as a future Guide Dog. Families should be willing to include puppies in their daily lives. Exposure to a variety of home lives / living styles, public outings and more are all valuable parts of the Puppy Raising process. Puppy Raising is an amazing experience, and should be considered a household effort. Everyone who is in the puppy’s life needs to be on board with the mission, purpose and structure necessary to allow success.
To learn more about our Puppy Raising program complete the contact form below, or email puppyraisers@gddca.org
With selfless commitment and support, Puppy Raisers are an integral part of the program that make our mission a reality!
As a volunteer Puppy Raiser with Guide Dogs of the Desert, you help ensure love, companionship and the miracle of independence for the blind and visually impaired through the use of a Guide Dog.
