At eight weeks of age, our Guide Dog pups are placed in the community with volunteer Puppy Raisers. These families or individuals ensure that our new puppy recruits get the best possible care, in a loving home environment while receiving necessary training.

These special, dedicated Puppy Raisers all have one thing in common – they embrace the opportunity to help change people’s lives forever.

Raising and training a puppy is an amazing experience that is incredibly rewarding for the whole family.

About the role

A good Puppy Raiser is someone who is caring, patient, and responsible.

Puppy Raising is a 12 -14 month commitment. During that time, Raisers are responsible for:

• Making the pup part of your family and keeping them safe. Allow the pup to interact with household members.
• Attending weekly training sessions in your area.
• Teaching the pup some basics skills, including sitting nicely when being groomed, walking nicely on a lead, good house manners, and providing regular socialisation experiences.
• Establishing good toileting, feeding, sleeping, and walking routines.

Guide Dogs will support you with what you need through the process including most of the equipment you need to make your pup feel at home (including food, leads, collars, bowls etc) and covering veterinary costs.

What are the requirements?

• Live in the areas of Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Newcastle, South Coast, Southern Highlands or Canberra/Queanbeyan.
• Ensure that your pup is not left alone for more than four hours at a time
• Allow your pup to sleep and spend time indoors.
• Have access to a car to transport your pup.
• Be available to attend training sessions.

If you cannot commit to the full 12 months, we completely understand. You can still help us by registering as a Temporary Carer! Temporary Carers are on-hand to provide a loving home for when our Puppy Raisers go on holidays, or if they cannot look after their pup for a short period of time.

Should your circumstances not align fully with the above requirements, we encourage you to get in touch with our Guide Dog Centre on 02 4579 7555, select option #3 so that we can discuss the ways we can make it work!

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the Guide Dogs Family!