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The job of puppy walkers

Every guide dog puppy, when it is old enough to leave its mother, is sent to the home of someone who volunteers to be a puppy walker.

These people, who usually have a family, have the dog as a pet for about a year. At the end of that time, they give the dog back for training, and then it will go to a blind person as their dog. It is very hard to give up a dog that you have loved and cared for but these people know that by doing this, they will make the life of a blind person so much better, and give them a loving companion who will be "their eyes" and let them move around more freely.

Training

During the time the puppy walker family has their dog, they need to train it carefully. It must learn to behave sensibly, and to get used to all kinds of different situations.

These dogs wear special coats to show that they are guide dogs in training, and they are allowed in all kinds of places that dogs aren't usually allowed, so that they get used to them. You will see them in shops, in buses or trains, in shows and museums - many different places.