I’m sixteen and I have to do a long term community service project next year for school that "shows growth and development from beginning to end". I’m thinking about raising a guide dog, and also starting a guide dog puppy raising group in my city. The association I was thinking about doing it through is the South Eastern Guide Dog Association, where puppies stay with their raisers for 14-20 months. I have a few questions, (and some are slightly stupid i know), but please try to answer all of them if you can.
1) Can I take the guide dog to school with me a couple times a week once it’s a little older and trained well enough to behave?
2) Can I take the guide dog to a restaurant? What about a supermarket?
3) Can I take the dog to the movie theater?
4) I live in Florida, where it’s hot hot hot most of the year. Of these breeds, which would shed the least in my climate? Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever (yellow and black), Australian Shepherd, Smooth Coat Collie, or Goldador (mix between golden and lab).
5) Which of the dogs listed above is the smartest/ most trainable?
6) Which of the dogs listed above would you personally recommend?
7) For past guide dog puppy raisers, do you have any tips for me? Also, what exactly are the expectations of a puppy raiser? What types of things would i have to teach it? Are raisers usually allowed to pick out which breed they want to raise and/or gender?
I have a shitzu currently, so i know how to raise a stubborn puppy. 
Thanks so much! I really, really feel inspired to do this. Not so much because I get to take care of a shedding, mess making bundle of joy, but because I really sympathize with blind people, and would do anything to help make their lives easier. (And i love animals too, so it’s really like two pluses.)
Really, you should be asking this of the program you want to work with. Each program has their own policies and each state has its own laws regarding trainer’s rights.
1) Can I take the guide dog to school with me a couple times a week once it’s a little older and trained well enough to behave?
Only with permission from both the guide dog program and the school
2) Can I take the guide dog to a restaurant? What about a supermarket?
Generally, no and if yes, then only with permission from both the program and the facility you wish to visit. Guide dog puppies usually make their visits to stores during group outings with a trainer supervising. Most states do not have public access rights even for fully qualified trainers, much less puppy raisers. Only fully trained guide and service dogs are actually covered under the ADA, and then only when accompanied by their disabled owner.
3) Can I take the dog to the movie theater?
Same as above, but taking a puppy to a movie theater isn’t a good idea anyway. Would you be willing to leave in the middle of the movie if the pup acts up?
4) I live in Florida, where it’s hot hot hot most of the year. Of these breeds, which would shed the least in my climate? Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever (yellow and black), Australian Shepherd, Smooth Coat Collie, or Goldador (mix between golden and lab).
You are very unlikely to be given any choice in what breed you raise.
Also, what exactly are the expectations of a puppy raiser? What types of things would i have to teach it?
You housebreak and teach basic house manners (not jumping on people, walking nicely on a leash, sit, down, come, etc.) One of the most important jobs of a puppy raiser is socialization (having the puppy meet as many different people and other animals as possible).
February 18th, 2010 at 7:16 am
I think its great that you want to do something like that
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I have seen service puppies in training out in public. They wear little vests that tell people what they are, and as far as I know, they are allowed to go wherever a guide dog would be able to go.
I think they are dogs that are bred specifically to be service dogs. Have you contacted the Guide Dog Association to see how it works?
References :
February 18th, 2010 at 7:47 am
1) You can talk to your principal about this.. generally, no.. but your principal may make an exception.
2 & 3) NO! The puppy is not technically a trained service dog yet. It is not allowed in any public places unless dogs are generally allowed. They are only allowed to do this when they are actually going thru their formal service dog training. They dont do this until you give the pup back to the facility.
4) When you go thru an agency, they generally choose the puppy you raise, based on what they get from donations or their own breeding programs.. all of those breeds you mentioned shed quite a bit.
5) all are intelligent and trainable dogs
6) what does it matter? They are all intelligent breeds.. generally the Golden and Lab are more likely to be used as service dogs.. German Shepherds are also commonly used.. I know a facility that also uses Dobermans, Boxers, Vizlas and Standard Poodles.
7) You have to housebreak the puppy, socialize it, get it used to new situations, obedience training, and basic manners. Try to find places where you can take the pup – petshops, pet expos, outdoor events, pet parades/contests, obedience classes, pet therapy groups, etc, to get as much socialization as possible. Raisers do not ussually pick out the puppy.. the group picks the puppy for you… you might be able to request a certain breed or gender, but that doesnt mean you will get it.
References :
I puppy raised for a few years.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Don’t worry if you have more questions. Typically they will give you a seminar and answer all of your question before getting a puppy.
1) Yes. There were two or three kids at my old high school with those guide dog puppies. It’s very hard though because people will ALWAYS try to pet the dog or feed it something. Just talk to someone in your administration ahead of time and all of your teachers.
2)Yes of course. They WANT you to take the dog out as much as possible.
3) Yes. I remember they even wanted to bring the dog to a concert to be associated with loud noises.
4) Probably the lab or smooth collie. But not all guide dog places train smooth collies.
5) None are more smarter or trainable.
6) all are great
References :
February 18th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Really, you should be asking this of the program you want to work with. Each program has their own policies and each state has its own laws regarding trainer’s rights.
1) Can I take the guide dog to school with me a couple times a week once it’s a little older and trained well enough to behave?
Only with permission from both the guide dog program and the school
2) Can I take the guide dog to a restaurant? What about a supermarket?
Generally, no and if yes, then only with permission from both the program and the facility you wish to visit. Guide dog puppies usually make their visits to stores during group outings with a trainer supervising. Most states do not have public access rights even for fully qualified trainers, much less puppy raisers. Only fully trained guide and service dogs are actually covered under the ADA, and then only when accompanied by their disabled owner.
3) Can I take the dog to the movie theater?
Same as above, but taking a puppy to a movie theater isn’t a good idea anyway. Would you be willing to leave in the middle of the movie if the pup acts up?
4) I live in Florida, where it’s hot hot hot most of the year. Of these breeds, which would shed the least in my climate? Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever (yellow and black), Australian Shepherd, Smooth Coat Collie, or Goldador (mix between golden and lab).
You are very unlikely to be given any choice in what breed you raise.
Also, what exactly are the expectations of a puppy raiser? What types of things would i have to teach it?
You housebreak and teach basic house manners (not jumping on people, walking nicely on a leash, sit, down, come, etc.) One of the most important jobs of a puppy raiser is socialization (having the puppy meet as many different people and other animals as possible).
References :
I’m a service dog trainer.