Years ago we used a web cam to spy on Linus. It worked well, but I got tired of watching him sleep on the couch 🙂

Graduation is definitely a whirlwind day. That’s nice that GDB gives you the contact information before graduation.

That’s cool about your next puppy coming from GDA. I didn’t know GDA had Goldens coming up as I haven’t seen too many at the group meetings. I have seen a lot more German Shepherds at meetings and training classes. I wonder if your new puppy will be related to my Apache. If so, you might want to prep for a large dog. Apache was close to 100 pounds and he was on the skinny side.

Good luck with your new pup! I can’t wait to see some pics.

Hi Colby!

I am still here, although not actively blogging…

Yes, GDB provides raisers with contact information for their dogs’ handlers, we get to talk to them on the phone before meeting them at graduation – something GDB started doing about 15 years ago because graduation days are so hectic, it can be difficult to have a meaningful conversation with anyone. It is up to raisers and handlers to stay in contact after that. My dogs’ handlers are fantastic… I try to keep up with them.

I feel very strongly that raisers and graduates benefit from communication with each other. Because I work in the “blind industry,” I often forget that some puppy raisers are not exposed to really guide dogs or even people who are blind, and some handlers don’t really understand what work goes into puppy raising.

I definitely recommend attending a GDB graduation and getting a tour of the campus. I think you will find that GDB graduation is very similar to GDA graduation.

By the way – my next puppy comes at the end of this month, a GDA-born golden retriever who will be raised for GDB. I am looking forward to it!

Hi Mandy!

Awesome write up! You mentioned some great questions that we don’t always think to ask when we first start puppy raising. I know a big consideration for some people is the financial cost to the puppy raisers. While this is important to me it definitely wasn’t a consideration when raising Adelle for CST (I have to cover the majority of her costs). We are definitely all different as puppy raisers and we need to think about all these questions and decide which are a priority before puppy raising or choosing a school.

Does GDB allow you to stay in contact with the dog after it leaves? Both GDA and CST seem to leave that up to the handler. I’m lucky that Liz and Dublin keep me updated on their adventures. On the other hand I haven’t heard from Apache since I met his handler at CST graduation.

By the way, I might go to the GDB graduation this summer. We’ll be in Gilroy for the Garlic Festival so I’m thinking of going to San Rafael for the graduation. I also want to go to Fun Day someday. It looks…well…Fun!

I haven’t seen a post on your blog in a while. I hope all is well with you.

Take care,
Colby

What support does the organization provide to me, in training and finances? What support does the organization provide to my dog after it leaves me, in training and finances?

These can run the gamut – some organizations expect raisers and graduates to take full financial responsibility for their dogs and others will cover vet expenses, and still others will cover food expenses as well. Additionally, some organizations provide a lot of oversight and are available for troubleshooting training issues, while others expect raisers and handlers to consult with outside trainers on their own dime if they have training related questions or problems. It is also important to know your organization’s stance on dogs that are medically released from training. Does your organization provide support? Will they take released dogs back if their placements don’t work out? I know for me, it is important to know that my dog’s health and well being are top priorities, and their health or behavior will never become a burden on a handler already dealing with a disability, and that a school will always take one of their dogs back.

What training methods are used?

Different organizations follow different training protocols. It is important to know how you are expected to teach your dog and what tools are available to you. Some organizations use training collars, prong collars, and teach primarily using compulsive, corrections-based training methods. Other organizations expect raisers and handlers to use positive reinforcement methods with food, and sometimes clickers. It is important to know the ramifications of either training method and what you are comfortable using with your dog.

Who retains ownership of the dog?

Some organizations retain ownership of the dog throughout the dog’s lifetime. Others have a trial period before offering ownership to graduates, and others transfer ownership of the dog upon graduation. It is important to know what your service dog school does with its dogs, and how they advocate for dogs that may be in compromising situations, such as if a handler is hospitalized, or there are allegations of abuse. If a dog is owned by a school and in danger for any reason, the dog can be collected and returned to the school at any time. If ownership is transferred to the individual graduate, animal control protocols must be followed to remove the dog from the graduate’s home, which can take time and requires substantial evidence. From a graduate’s perspective, there may be strong feelings about owning your own dog as a sign of respect and dignity – and this can factor into a potential handler’s decision on what school to choose.

And some other questions to ask, that I will not write essays about:

How are potential handlers screened? What are the requirements and expectations of handlers? Where are dogs placed geographically? Where are dogs housed during formal training? What enrichment programs do they have in place for the dogs during down time? How long does formal training take? Will I be allowed contact with my dog after it leaves me? Where does the organization get its dogs? How big is the staff? Do they have a veterinarian on staff? An endowment? I could go on….

So yes, lots of questions. Good luck with your decision, Colby.

Thanks, Johann! We really enjoy puppy raising. I guess we wouldn’t be thinking about raising a sixth puppy if we didn’t 🙂

I never asked myself a lot of these questions before I started puppy raising. I’m very lucky that I chose a tight nit group that were willing to help me every step of the way with my first puppy.

There are lots of groups near you and I’ve driven down to San Diego to meet some of them. Here’s a few that we’ve talked to that probably have groups in your area Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), Guide Dogs of America (GDA), Guide Dogs of the Desert (GDD), Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Canine Support Teams (CST), Tender Loving Canine Assistance Dogs (TLCAD). I’ve actually met with all of these groups and each one has it’s merits. The right group will largely depend on the individual.

Please feel free to ask me any questions. As I mentioned in this post I’m trying to decide what to do next as well.

Wait a second…I’ve seen you foster puppies! It sounds like we went down the same path. I rescued Linus from the animal shelter and after having him for a couple years decided that he was going to help me foster or raise puppies. We started with fostering then moved on to puppy raising.

Fostering was great and I’ll probably do it again sometime down the line, but I love puppy raising. It’s so awesome watching a dog I raised from 7 weeks to 18 months help others regain their independence.

I think you’d enjoy puppy raising. If you’re still at all interested you might check into some of your local guide/service dog organizations and attend a few meetings.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask me.