At around 6 to 8 weeks the puppies leave the training centre and are placed in foster homes within a 40 km radius of the Training Centre. This is the optimal age for human/animal bonding to take place.

The best homes are those where there are children, other pets and a Mum who doesn’t work.

The important part of the programme is the socialisation of the puppy, therefore homes in built-up areas are preferred so that the puppy can be introduced to car travel, busy shops, noisy streets, heavy traffic and crowded pavements.

It is preferred that at least one adult should be at home during the greater part of the day in order to free exercise and educate the puppy. The puppy should be taken to the shops and introduced to its local environment throughout the time it lives with the Puppy Rearer.

Basic obedience is also an important part of the programme as this is fundamental to all future training. Any problems, no matter how small, are reported to the Puppy Development Supervisor. Every effort is made to ensure that the puppy’s behaviour is shaped right from the beginning. Everything must happen in the formative first year to increase the likelihood of the puppy growing into an effective guide dog.

The Puppy Development Supervisor makes regular monthly visits and there are training sessions on a monthly basis in different areas of Gauteng that the Puppy Raiser should attend.

At around 12 to 14 months in the case of Labradors and 18 to 20 months in the case of German Shepherds the puppies return to the training centre to commence their formal training.

Click here for Puppy Rearing application and information forms.