Raising a Guide Dog puppy?

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Does anyone here have experience with this? I ask because I am considering doing it, next year.

Background: (PLEASE read this thoroughly if youre going to reply)

I am in college, and next year I'm planning to move to an apartment. The summer after that I'm planning 7 weeks in Wisconsin, then either back home to work or some other state for an internship. The year after that, back to school to the same or another apartment or house.

I started thinking about this a few weeks ago, because I was thinking about apartments and about animals in apartments. I'm sick of not being around any animals at school. So, I was thinking of pets you can keep in apartments (cats, dogs, birds, and tank animals like fish), but I dont believe in keeping cats indoors which is where it would have to be kept here, and if I got a dog it would be alone too much of the time. I did briefly consider a bird, but I have zero experience with birds that are not backyard poultry, and it would be alone much of the day also which wouldnt be any better for a bird than for a dog. As for something like a tank of fish or a reptile, I do like them but I find them more decorative than affectionate. Plus, they live a long time, which could potentially be a problem (see the next paragraph). Moving their habitats is quite an undertaking also.

Then, theres the fact that no one really knows what they will be doing or where they will be after college, and any animal I got now would most likely be around then, and if my situation changed and I had to re-home the animal... well. I dont want to do that.

But I've seen pups in their vests around campus which is what first introduced me to the idea, and a commitment to such an animal is (I think) just over a year. I do have at least that amount of time in my future mapped out, so I would be sure of the time I could give. The dog wouldnt be alone all day because I could take it to the store, to class, and maybe to work. All the places where I couldnt bring a regular pet dog along.

I know it would be hard to give up a dog after spending all that time with it and teaching it, but I have had 4-H animals in the past that I have loved and trained and then sold for slaughter. This would be different because even though its for a longer time, the dog would be going to help another person instead of the butcher, so I know I could deal with it. It's different, also, than rehoming a normal dog, because this rehoming has been planned from the beginning and the dog goes to fulfill what is essentially the purpose for its existence, while I'd be left with not only the memories of the companionship but also the knowledge that I helped another person.

I've done a little research, which is how I found out that the time frame seems be be a bit over a year. I understand that there are meetings and such? It seems to depend on the organization. One problem, however, that I can see

So, after reading my reasons and what I can give to such a dog, do you think that this is a good thing for me to think about doing? What are the other things I should consider?

I did this when I was in my Jr year of high school. It was a wonderful experience and I would do it again, but my life is just too chaotic right now.

You definately need more details from the exact organization that you would be working with. I think it would be totally do-able, as long as you are able to take your pup to school/work. I looked into it for 2 years before finally deciding to do it. I didn't, however, look into the details of THE program I went with. I figured they were all the same. I raised a puppy for Pilot Dogs, Inc out of Columbus, OH. I'm not sure if they have changed the rules or anything since then, but some things I wasn't aware of until I went to pick up my puppy:

The puppy WAS NOT allowed inside public buildings like other organizations.
NO VEST is provided for the puppy.
NO specific training info is given. Completion of a basic obedience class was required.
Organization would reimburse me for money spent on vet and obedience classes. Other expenses such as supplies and food were my responsibility.
It was required for me to feed Pedigree Puppy until 6 months old, and Pedigree Adult after that. NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you got a female (I requested one), you are not allowed to have her spayed. So, you must deal with heat cycle(s).

Honestly, other than not getting her spayed and HAVING to go to an obedience class, it wasn't any different than raising any other puppy I've had. I requested a Golden Retriever female (I already had 2 at home). Her name was Faye (she came with it), and at 14 months she had to go back for her formal training. I believe 49% make it through the program and become Guide Dogs. Faye was a very small Golden, only 40 lbs. I didn't think she'd pass her formal training as I spent countless hours trying to convince her that shopping carts or trains were not scary. She made it! They paired her with a small, elderly gentleman due to her size. As far as I know, she's still working in the Columbus area. I totally prepared myself to give her back, so it wasn't hard for me.

When I went into this, I thought I'd be able to take her to school with me. My main concern was housebreaking while in public places. It's one thing to have an accident at home, but in a store or at school? Yikes!

OH, we did have some trouble with the reimbursing part. They would not pay for all of the vet bills and totally refused to pay the obedience classes? We got stuck with those! My mom was ticked!

[Ruby]

I would think it would be hard having it in class not being house broken. Don't think the professers would be very happy to have the puppy have an accident in the class room.

I'm sure the ones that have the vest on that you see now are already house broken.

[GG]

I would strongly recommend you check your state's law.

My sister had a service dog in training, and both her landlord and employer were able to prevent her from having the dog on their premises. At least in our state, the law only protects the access of a person with a disability and their service animal. It is left up the individual property/business owners to decide whether to allow access by a person without a disability with a trained service animal and/or a person without a disability with a service animal in training. In other words, the law here only grants global access to a service animal when they are with a person with a disability.

The majority of businesses had no problem with my sister and her service dog in training, but if they wanted to say prevent access, they could legally do so.

[heavyrebel]

I'm not trying to be mean, rude or anything like that, but I'm going to give my thoughts here:

As a trainer and having worked with many therapy dogs and service dogs, and more importantly to your wants, puppies and dogs in general, I would tell you as a client " you are not ready for a dog in any way". You certainly are not ready for a future service dog.

Dogs are not cats, birds, fish, snakes, bunnies, hermit crabs or any other creature. They are dogs. They NEED things. Like: TIME, MONEY, TIME, a YARD, an owner who is not jetting off here and there, living in an apartment, and in classes and working. 95 percent of my problem clients are people who have no clue what it takes to raise a good dog. I'm a dog trainer...I am actually a human trainer, first, then a dog trainer.


The fact hat you are even thinking "and if my situation changed and I had to re-home the animal... well. I dont want to do that" means you are not even CLOSE to being ready.

Please, don't get a dog. Let someone with a stable life, time and resources take that puppy for the first year. The first year is the hardest, by far.

On a nicer note, I am glad you have the forethought to post this question and to think about it before you went out and signed up for a cute fuzzy puppy.

[heavyrebel]

P.S. Go get a job as a kennel tech, help some organization out if you want to be around animals.

[RandB]

We have a couple programs for seeing-eye dogs in this area. My understanding of the way they work is, when you raise a puppy, you are not doing the actual training of the dog, with vests, etc. The person who gets the puppy is supposed to raise it the same way any family dog is raised, with lots of love and attention, with emphasis on socialization and basic obedience. Then when they reach the age for their real training to start, they go back to the organization. If this is the case with the place you are considering, that means you would not have any authority to take the dog to public places more than any other puppy owner. So please keep this in mind. It sounds like the best thing would be to meet with the organization and find out as much info as possible before you make the decision. If it is something that would work out for you, you would be doing a good thing!

[HOTW]

I suggest yo contact the organization you are htinking of raising for they usually have pretty stringent guidleines if they don't run! Talk to everyoen who would be involved your landlord, other people on campus who are raising puppies. Get to know th ewhole jist of the thing. They might be able to prevent you from taking th pup out of state though. A puppy raiser teaches obedience (basic the org will tell you hwo much they want) socialization with people, other animals and most important all the wide world! You have to be prepared to go out of your way to provide exposure to unusual things. Hve seen a few Seeing Eye dogs that developed wierd habits fater graduation because their owners couldnt see what htye were up to(licking floors int he supermarket, sneaking food from kids) Mnay potential dogs get dropped out because they have not gotten enough exposure and are shy in crowds. It's a very dedicated calling not to be taken lightly.

[Shoupie]

As a person who uses a service dog let me educate you about how the system works

Most puppy schools rely only on raisers to provide socialization, housebreaking, and very basic obedience skills. Going on what you described your life wouldn't be too hectic to raise a puppy, most puppy programs prefer school aged people because they can provide them with daily access to a fairly busy noisy and changing place. Puppies do not start going out to concert sized crowds the day they arrive, you have to first housebreak, and start training your puppy in basic obedience until it is 4 months old and has had all its shots, then it can begin to go out in public. However most programs require puppy raisers to be in a group so that the puppy will have a group of other puppies to experience outings with and gain confidence from the older dogs. A young puppy only goes out occasionally and for short periods of time increasing to all the time and for long periods of time. This isn't the case with every program but its kind of a basic layout.

Now as far as public access, bringing a dog into non dog friendly stores, you can't do that in every state. A service dog in training (SDIT) does not have the same rights as a service dog. In some states SDITs are not allowed in ANY non dog friendly stores. This is because there are no public access rights for SDITS in that state. I looked up Michigans laws and I believe you have to be a trainer for a program in order to have PA rights. You would need to contact any SD schools in your local area and have them clarify this for you but as of now I'm not sure you would even be able to qualify for a puppy raiser program.

Also even if SDITs have PA rights in your state you would have to live in an apartment that had a pet policy allowing you to raise a puppy in your apartment. PA rights do not extend to allowing a SDIT to live in non dog friendly housing.

I think your best bet would be to contact a local school and tell them the entirety of your situation and see what they say regarding laws, and your living situation.

[Maura]

Call Rochester and see what they have to say. We have friend's who have fostered seeing eye dogs, Labs. The hardest part is giving them up, as you guessed. You'll give them basic obedience, with some specialty things, such as not running up and greeting every person and dog they see.

The dogs that are not accepted into the program after fostering, and those who don't graduate are sent to regular homes. I believe there is a waiting list. Good luck.

[jkmlad]

I agree with HeavyRebel. Get involved in a rescue org. and volunteer to exercise or train the dogs in their care. Consider that the whole reason you will be doing this is for someone else... not to fill your needs for a warm, fuzzy friend. BTW: I have a college age friend who makes very good money critter sitting for people my age who want to leave their furry loved ones in their homes while they are away. You might want to try that instead!

[nancy237]

I read your post today and then tonight what do I see at church but a guide dog in training puppy. First time I have ever seen that...

It was a beautiful 6 month old lab that was handling the crowd beautifully. The
lady said it was their 5th puppy they have raised for a group in NY.

I asked her about the law with the puppies in training and she said in NC it is a
law that they are allowed anywhere just like the guide dogs. She said each state is different.

[heavyrebel]

Well, I know that it is illegal for any establishment to NOT allow a service dog, or a properly marked service dog in training into an establishment. I take them to airports, malls, resturants amd hospitals. No one EVER says anything as long as they have thier vest on. It does need to be a official vest with a groups name on it. Not one you buy form the catalog. I also always have a card on me stating who I am, in case I need it.

Also, it is a great idea for someone wanting to be around dogs, but maybe can not spend the time with one as an owner/handler, to do dog walking/pet sitting. I run a very nice business that started that way...I love my job, everyday, and meet some great people and dogs.

[JasoninMN]

Well, I know that it is illegal for any establishment to NOT allow a service dog, or a properly marked service dog in training into an establishment.

That is not true. And while most dogs in training do not get questioned they do not have the same privileges as a dog that is with a disabled person.

[Maura]

Call this number: 888-777-5332

They are in need of foster homes for puppies. You will be expected to train normal house manners and take the dog out to meet and greet. The average time will be one year. This is the original Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills. About two hours from you.

[Danaus29]

You may want to contact local animal shelters and other rescue organizations. The ones around here are always advertising for volunteers to help care for the animals. If you are really interested in helping raise a service dog go talk to the organization you would be closest to. They are the only ones that can give you all the information you need.

[Shoupie]

Originally Posted by JasoninMN

That is not true. And while most dogs in training do not get questioned they do not have the same privileges as a dog that is with a disabled person.

Actually Jasonin it is in some states, like here in California, service dogs in training have access rights to just about everywhere except for in the workplace, in class at school, or in an apartment that is rented by the handler. Also service dogs are not allowed everywhere no exceptions or no questions asked, service dog teams must ask permission before entering a private house, club, or church. They are allowed anywhere the public is allowed where their presence will not fundamentally change the nature of the business, so they are also not allowed in open animal enclosure at the zoo or near open exhibits in a museum.

Also not every service dog comes from a school, wears a vest, or looks like a lab a golden or a GSD.

[JasoninMN]

That is actually a pretty significant list of places they cannot go if you really think about it. More then half of most people lives are spent in a work place, schools, apartments, and churches.

[heavyrebel]

Guess I assumed we were talking about public places. And it is against the law to forbid service dogs in public places. Ask an ADA attorney.