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During training, fostering is overnight and at weekends from the age of 12 months
Fosterers - Early Training take younger dogs for 16 weeks
Fosterers - Advanced Training take dogs for the next 10 weeks
In some cases it is possible to foster for the entire 26 weeks training period
Puppy Fosterers, Fosterers - Breeding Dog - Brood and Stud, support those volunteers who home puppies or breeding dogs full time, for example taking the dog full time if a volunteer is not able to take it on holiday or they are taken ill
Fosterer Clients foster working dogs for short periods full time on those occasions clients are unable to make their own arrangements
At some sites a small number of Fosterers - respite support teams when we need someone to care for dogs unexpectedly. This is for varying periods, for example taking dogs full time if they don’t settle in kennels, are unwell or they are withdrawn from training
On week days, training Fosterers need to drop off their dogs at a Guide Dogs site or a site near to a trainer’s home. This is normally between 8-9am with pick-up from 5-6pm, but some sites are able to offer extended drop off and pick-up times from 7am and until 7pm. Local teams can discuss details and maximum travel time possible.
Willing to provide a welcoming and safe environment for a dog or puppy for the time required. Providing a consistent home is particularly important for our dogs in training
Ensuring the dog or puppy is fed and exercised as directed
Embedding the same behaviour and commands as your supervisor
In the event of an emergency, ensure the dog or puppy receives veterinary care and Guide Dogs is informed immediately
At home
All boarders will be required to attend training sessions. Those handling younger and larger/more active dogs need more training
Enjoy working with dogs and have suitable accommodation
Perseverance to help support the training of the dogs
Good communication skills
Increase in dog knowledge and welfare
Opportunity to care of and have the companionship of a dog for evenings and weekends or for short periods of time
The satisfaction that you are part of a committed team with a pivotal role in providing guide dogs that enable blind and partially-sighted people to enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else
Regular and ongoing support and training from your supervisor
Attending Boarder Training programme
Basic induction to Guide Dogs and to the role
All food, veterinary costs and the provision of equipment