Preparing for The Puppy

There is usually a waiting period before you receive the puppy. What can you do to best prepare?

Read the puppy manual cover to cover!!

Attend meetings and learn as much as you can.

Volunteer to puppy sit for another raiser.

Plan a time to tour SEGD if possible. A recommended must at some point.

GO SHOPPING!

● Two, quart-size, stainless steel dog dishes. No plastic for health reasons.

● Nylon snap collars: one to fit a small puppy, later a larger one will be needed.

● A (chain) training collar: only to be used when puppy is 6 months or older. You may want to wait until the appropriate age to better determine what size you will need.

● A brush.

● A six foot training lead.

● Approved play toys: Kongs and Nylabones are a good choice.

● Dog crate, metal or heavy plastic; large size for a mature retriever.

● Puppy food, just prior to arrival. Ask your area coordinator for recommended brands.

● For each tie down, you will need a 22" choke training collar, #2 S hooks, #2 snaps and #1 eyebolt. For details, ask your area coordinator or check the Puppy Raiser Manual.

● Baby gate(s) to keep puppy secure in certain rooms of your house.

● Fence in your yard if you can or make sure existing fence is secure.

● Plastic clean up baggies: save your grocery/produce or newspaper baggies.

Shopping Tip:
You can visit a local pet supplier or you may wish to use a pet order supply company. Several are now available on-line.

Put the tie-down together. Consider several for different areas in your home.

Puppy Proof your house and yard. Everything goes when on the puppy’s level.

Including electric cords, pesticides, rodent traps, breakables, household cleaners, solvents, fertilizers, antifreeze, human medication, plants, chocolate, children’s toys, kitty liter boxes, cat food, valuables and personal possessions.

Safety:
It is your responsibility to protect the guide dog puppy from accidents or mishaps. When you are teaching and conditioning the puppy appropriate behavior, it is important to learn that you keep the puppy on leash with you, tie down when you are at home and in the same room as the pup, or in a crate when you are not at home. These are the tools that help you keep the puppy under your direct control and supervision. These tools make for quicker and more effective communication between you and the puppy. A puppy can also be under your direct supervision behind a baby gate or a fenced in yard with you present. However, the puppy is NOT under your supervision when it is loose around the house or in the yard without you present and watching it. It is up to you, the teacher of the puppy, to be aware of how you are handling and setting the pup up for either success or for failure. Failure is allowing the puppy unsupervised freedom.

Keep the puppy on a leash:
Puppy goes off leash only when you are in a fenced area. When you are not home leave the puppy in a safe place; a dog crate. Puppy should be supervised while in the fenced yard. Keep a nylon snap collar and ID on the pup at all times except when in the crate. Advise children to be careful going in and out of the house and to shut the doors leading outside securely behind them. If you have a swimming pool make sure that the pool is not accessible to the puppy unsupervised. It is best that within a few days after the puppy’s arrival that you teach it to swim and how to get out of the pool. Never leave the puppy unattended in the pool area. When traveling in the car with the puppy always have it secured by a leash or tie-down.

Think Safety:
Safety is knowing where the puppy is at all times. Use the tools of safety, teaching and conditioning. Basic obedience is a safety tool. For example the sit-stay can be used to control the puppy. Other tools are the leash, tie-down, crate, fenced in area, baby gates and, most of all, you who needs to be aware.

If an Accident Happens:
SEGDI knows that you would not intentionally hurt the puppy. Occasionally a very odd accident might occur that is truly out of your control. However, most incidents can be prevented by using the tools and advice we provide. If the puppy is injured by neglect or not following the guidelines in the program, SEGDI will request the raiser assist with any expenses. SEGDI will not hold the Raiser liable for replacement of a puppy that is deceased.

Liability:
SEGDI requests that puppy raisers include the guide dog puppy on their homeowners insurance policy. Call your insurance agent to add the puppy. Renters insurance also can cover the puppy. This is liability insurance and not replacement value on the puppy. SEGDI does carry liability insurance, it is important for your protection that you do too. Although SEGDI owns the puppy, it is under your immediate control and you will be responsible for its behavior. You may have to shop around and you may discover that your own pets are not currently covered. It is a good idea to have liability insurance for your own pets as well.