We begin with puppies, most of which are bred by the Center's twelve brood bitches. At two months of age, the puppies are placed with foster families who raise the pups during their first year. The puppy raisers receive instruction during regular visits by the Puppy Raising Supervisor. This includes becoming accustomed to traffic movement and noise, sitting quietly for periods of time, and generally becoming acclimated to as many typical everyday situations as possible. Conditioning the puppies to a wide range of activities such as going to work, shopping at malls or supermarkets, visiting friends, dining at restaurants or traveling on a bus prepares them for their further training as guide dogs.

Although the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind supplies the dog food and pays the veterinarian expenses, the puppy raiser donates time, effort, love and care. Puppy raisers are vital to our work, and are deeply appreciated.

At the age of one year, the dogs are returned to the Center for five months of training. During this time, the dogs learn all that is necessary to prepare them for guiding their blind companion. They also learn "intelligent disobedience" which is to disobey a command if there is danger, such as a car coming around the corner, even though its master gave an order to proceed. Finally, a suitable match is made with a blind Israeli, who receives instruction in working together with the guide dog. As much as eight to ten years of safe mobility can be enjoyed from such a partnership.

Puppy-Raising

A Pup, A Happy Home, A Service
By Matt, Megan and Cindy Tibbs

How many times have you thought, “Puppies are so cute – I wish they could stay puppies forever.” Well, we have found a way to make that happen.

Our puppy, Congo, comes to us from the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind. He is a beautiful puppy, a Yellow Lab, with a gentle and happy personality, wonderful, expressive eyes and a fair amount of intelligence. Congo is ours for about a year, until he begins to grow out of his “puppyhood” and into adulthood. Then Congo goes back to “college” at the guide dog center and prepares for his life work, which will consist of being the eyes for some person who is not able to see on their own. It’s a noble calling for a dog that is bred for that purpose. At that point, if we choose, we can raise another puppy.

The Israel Guide Dog Center depends on its puppy walkers. Dogs raised in the kennel don’t have the social skills they need to make it in the human world of which they will be a part. The job of the puppy-raiser is to raise a happy and well-adjusted dog, full of confidence in himself and his abilities.

It isn’t hard to raise a confident and happy dog, but it does take a lot of time and energy. Besides potty training, puppies need to be taught to relieve themselves on command while on a lead. Puppies need to be walked several times each day. They need to learn basic obedience and good house manners. They need to be exposed to many different situations -- to experience traffic, crowds, loud noises, buses, elevators, stores full of people and interesting smells, restaurants and sitting quietly while visiting offices or in meetings. They need to be comfortable with cats running in front of their nose, the threatening barks of other dogs and children hanging from their necks and tails. In addition the puppy comes with a manual from the school loaded with things it needs to be taught.

However, the guide dog school doesn’t leave you floundering with your new responsibilities. They provide the food for the puppy, which is donated by Pedigree. The puppy-raising supervisor also visits your home often and walks with you and the pup, offering tips to improve its performance. The Center provides most of the medical attention needed by the puppy and pays for additional veterinary costs that the pup might incur. They provide a crate to aid in training and housebreaking and they offer “pup-sitting” at the Center if your family has travel plans that can’t include the pup. It’s a great deal. Pet ownership has never been this easy.

Our puppy, Congo, has been a joy in our home from the very beginning. His presence helped fill the house with love, humor and action and also began to fill the void in our hearts caused by leaving several dogs behind in the States. Congo is especially fond of food (he’s been clocked at emptying his bowl in 35 seconds), but also loves people. He is the constant companion of whomever of us is at home, a loving shadow, a cheerful playmate. It is hard to imagine life without Congo.

Which brings up the comments we hear most often -- “How are you ever going to give him up?” or “I could never do that. I know I’d get too attached.” Well, honestly, we’re not sure how we’re going to give him up. But we know that we wouldn’t trade our year with Congo for a year without Congo, just to avoid the pain of separation. It’s certainly not going to be easy. But then many things in life aren’t easy. What if foster parents didn’t take foster children because it would be too hard to give them up? What if parents decided not to send children to college because it would be too hard to let them go? Although we love our Congo, we will work to make him the best possible guide dog he can be and we will be happy to see him succeed in his life’s work. Because of Congo, some person will experience greater freedom and a fuller life. It won’t be easy to let him go, but it’s our love that will make his success possible.