Puppy Raising

Guide Dogs of the Desert breeds 90% of the puppies that are used in our puppy raising program. We currently utilize Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, and some German Shepherds. Puppy raisers receive their puppy at approximately 8 to 10 weeks of age and they keep them until they are between 18 to 20 months of age. These are normal puppies that will chew, bark, whine, and cry. And.....they are not housebroken.

Potential puppy raisers need to meet certain criteria:

1. Puppy Raisers must be at least 14 years of age with parental involvement and support. The adult is the responsible party.
2. Puppy Raisers must have a car in order to transport the puppy in an emergency
3. Puppy Raisers must agree to allow the pup to sleep indoors at night
4. Puppy Raisers must agree to socialize, obedience train, and housebreak the puppy

If you are interested in becoming a puppy raiser, please contact Trina Began at 760-329-1282 or tbegan@gddca.org

Puppy Raiser Responsibilities

Your Guide Dog Puppy will need lots of Love and Socialization. You are expected to housebreak your puppy, and familiarize it with people, animals, traffic, noises, and strange surroundings that are age appropriate. You will need to do basic obedience training and ensure that your puppy can ride comfortably in a car.

Puppy Living Arrangements

Your puppy must be raised as an inside dog, spending time with family members & guests. Puppies must sleep beside the bed of the primary puppy raiser in a crate or on tie-down. Sleeping in the garage or on the patio is not acceptable. Your new puppy will need a fenced yard to allow him/her a safe environment for exploration, play, and relieving.

Puppy Raiser's Costs

The cost of all veterinary care, food, toys, damages, and travel expenses are the puppy raiser's responsibility. As Guide Dogs of the Desert is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all expenses incurred in raising a Guide Dog Puppy may be tax deductible. Check with your personal tax advisor.

Cathy's Poem

I once had a dog that was big and yellow
She was goofy and funny and not very mellow
We thought this was odd because she was supposed to be a Guide Dog
But still we loved her and she was our top dog

We took her to restaurants and to fancy stores
She loved all the attention and she wanted more
She didn't know that she was doing this to help the blind one day
She thought it was just fun and games and she often disobeyed

But through the months she grew and behaved better
But she still ate all of our stuff and became known as the household shredder
I often forgave her and she eventually became one of my best friends
But I knew sooner or later our friendship would have to end

She was born for a special reason
And we were close to the end of our season
Her purpose in life is to help the blind
To not let her do this would be unkind

There's a blind person out there who needs a chance
And as much as we'd miss her, we had to accept this circumstance
So we took her back to the Guide Dog Center
And there she obediently reentered

We do not know when we will get to see her
And sometimes it still makes tears occur
Even though I know my love cannot bring her back
I know in my heart, she's on the right track