Overview
Volunteer: Puppy Walker/Carer Jobs in Beoley, England, United Kingdom at Doit
Title: Volunteer: Puppy Walker/Carer
Company: Doit
Location: Beoley, England, United Kingdom
About the opportunity
Guide Dogs is appealing for volunteers in Bromsgrove and Redditch. Volunteers are needed for the full time care and education of the guide dog pups from six weeks until approximately 12 to 14 months of age, when they are returned to the charity. The young dogs will spend much of their first year of life living with the volunteer in their home; they will teach them basic obedience and get them used to a home environment, noise and the bustle of towns. They will prepare the pup for their working life ahead which includes taking them on public transport, including trains and buses. A young guide dog puppy is a full time companion for its temporary owners, who find it so rewarding to raise a dog who will one day give a blind person a new independence by acting as their eyes.
What are they looking for?
Feeding, training and generally caring for a puppy's needs on a daily basis is time consuming and particularly when very young they cannot be left on their own for extended periods of time. Our general guideline is 3 hours maximum in the early days. Will you be able to commit the time required to look after a puppy? The puppy will need exposure to busy town conditions, traffic, shops and crowds on a regular basis. It will also need to be familiarized with car travel and public transport. Would you be able to provide a puppy with this range of experience?
Practical Considerations
You need to have a suitable area in your home to accommodate the puppy with easy access to a hard surfaced or gravel toileting area. You must be at least 18 years of age to be responsible for the puppy. Whilst any children at home can enjoy lending a hand, it is important that any puppy training, e.g. lead work, is only carried out by a responsible person. Children aged 16 -18 may walk the puppy with supervision.
