Introduction

I’ve wanted to puppy walk for Guide Dogs ever since I watched the Blue Peter guide dog pups as a child (didn’t we all) I got my first dog 15 years ago, and over time have fostered and had rescues as well. When I first started to go to dog training classes I sat next to a Puppy Walker every week, hearing about everything she did and where they went. It has stuck in my mind ever since.  More recently, my Grandfather suffered from Macular Degeneration which robbed him of his sight, I saw what difficulties he had with everyday things we take completely for granted.  So Puppy Walking is in memory of him as well.  I've had to wait 10 years to be in the right house, job and children old enough to be able to puppy walk.  It was only a chance meeting with a pup-in-training outside our local supermarket recently that re-ignited the thought in my head.

But I had so many questions - where should I go from here, how do I find out more?  Would I be good enough?  Do you have to be a dog trainer?  Is my house big enough?  A trawl on the internet found the Guide Dogs main web site and there was a website section devoted to Puppy Walking – bingo!!

After a chat with the Volunteering department on the telephone, I completed and returned the application forms and my references were taken up.  I then had a home visit from a Puppy Walking Supervisor and a Puppy Walker with her fantastic 10 month old pup called Arthur.  I don’t think my house had been more spotless, nor had I ever been so nervous as I so wanted to pass.  However, I need not have worried, they soon put me completely at ease, the dogs played and then fell asleep in a big heap on the floor!  During the interview I was able to ask all the questions I wanted and was reassured that all Puppy Walkers were normal people (well as normal as you can be covered in dog hair and drool!) and from all walks of life. My house was big enough and no you don’t have to be a dog trainer as you are guided (no pun intended ha ha) through every step of the training process. I was told that I would need to make a ‘Spending Pen’ for the dog to ‘spend’ or ‘wee’ in, on my patio, as visually impaired people needed a specific area for their dogs to go, it just needed to be an enclosed area, 6ft x 6ft roughly.  I was then told that I had been accepted!!  A few days later I had a Puppy Walking Information pack sent to me, with important telephone numbers and a basic run through of everything that is expected over the next year, together with lots of documents to read, digest and sign. I’ve also had to promise to give the puppy back, so my cunning plan to hide him under the bed when they come to take him to further training has been foiled!!  I now have a fantastic Puppy Walking Supervisor (who also did my interview) and a Mentor as well, to take me through every stage, so at no time do I feel alone, or that any question is too trivial to ask.

A couple of days later I had the phone call.  My first puppy called Osborn would be arriving on the 21st October 2009!!!!

It seemed like every day something exciting would arrive in the post, collars and leads, grooming equipment, information and when the bright yellow flash 'Guide Dog Puppy in training' for his lead arrived, I thought.....that's it, he really is coming.  How do I feel? Excited and really wanting the 21st October to arrive, but also a little thoughtful.  What an amazing job these dogs do for visually impaired people, and such a lot they have to learn before they become a Guide Dog, will I be up to the job? How will I deal with giving him up when he goes into training? What sort of personality will he be, bold and bossy or quiet and sensitive?  All these questions and loads more to be answered as this time with Osborn unfolds.