PREP FAQs

You can access Kallidus on a computer, tablet or mobile phone simply by navigating to the Kallidus portal on your internet browser and logging in with the login details sent to your email address.

To stop emails going to junk/trash/spam you will need to add the LMSgateway@guidedogs.org.uk email address to your safe sender list. The easiest way to do this is to add them as a contact in your email account. If you have an email from the account, then select the email address and choose to add the contact. If you do not yet have an email from LMSgateway then you can go to your email menu, choose contacts and add a new contact with the LMSgateway@guidedogs.org.uk as the email address.

If you have set up a security question, you can reset you password by selecting 'forgotten your password', below the sign in boxes on the log in page. You will be directed to enter your username, then the answer to your security question. A link will then be sent to your email which you will need to select to create a new password. You will then need to navigate back to the log in page: https://guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external

Make sure when you reset it, your new password contains at least 8 characters, 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter, a number and a special character eg. ?/\!#. Once you have done this you should be taken to the homepage.

If you do not have a security question set, please contact PREP support for further assistance.

Please ensure when you reset your password, it contains at least 8 characters, 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter, a number and a special character eg. ?/\!#.

If you log out of Kallidus or your session times out, to get back into the system you will need to reload the page using; a bookmark, the link in VIP (on the Kallidus page), the login link in your welcome email, or typing the link manually (https://guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external). Instructions on how to create a bookmark can be found further down this page.

Do not select the yellow ‘log in’ button as it will take you to the internal Kallidus log in page for Guide Dogs staff and your details will not be recognised. Do not select the yellow ‘log in’ button as it will take you to the internal Kallidus log in page for Guide Dogs staff and your details will not be recognised.

Please note, if you log out of Kallidus or the page times out, you may be taken to the internal log in page for Guide Dogs staff and your details will not be recognised. You will know you are on this page if you are asked to ‘sign in with your organisational account’. Similarly, if you select the yellow ‘log in’ button it will take you to the internal log in page for Guide Dogs staff and your details will not be recognised. Please navigate to https://guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external to log in. We suggest bookmarking this link for future ease of access. Instructions on how to create a bookmark can found be further down this page.

To clarify this is the correct Kallidus log in page for Puppy Raisers:

A bookmark is a place holder for a web page that will allow you quick access to that page instead of having to browse or search for it.

How to save bookmarks - using the Chrome browser 

1. Open this link guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external (select this link or copy and paste it into a new tab in your browser) 
2. With this page now open, click the three-bar settings icon in the top right of your Chrome home page. (This looks like three vertical dots) 
3. Hover over "Bookmarks" and select "Bookmark this tab” You will be given an option to name this page. We suggest using ‘Kallidus’. You will also be asked which folder you would like to save it to, here just keep the selected option ‘Bookmarks bar’. 
4. Once you have named your bookmark select ‘more’ to double check the URL is the correct link: https://guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external. If you find that you see an extremely long combination of letters and numbers and not the link above please delete that from the URL field and enter the correct link again.
5. You will also be asked which folder you would like to save it to, here just keep the selected option ‘Bookmarks bar’ and select save.
6. When you next click on ‘Bookmarks’ you will see the 'Kallidus' bookmark added to your list.
   
    

How to save bookmarks - using the Safari browser 

1. Open this link guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external (select this link or copy and paste it into a new tab in your browser) 
2. In the menu bar, select the “bookmarks” option, this could also be the “share” icon which is a small square with an upwards arrow coming out the top. 
3. Select “Add Bookmarks”. 
4. Choose where to add the bookmarks (like your favourites folder) and rename the page – we suggest using “Kallidus”.
5. Once you have named your bookmark, it will automatically save. Go back to your bookmarks menu and select "edit bookmarks". Scroll down to your newly created Kallidus bookmark and double check the URL is saving the correct link: https://guidedogs.kallidus-suite.com/external. 
6. If you find that you see an extremely long combination of letters and numbers and not the link above please and right click (press control and select) on the link and choose to "edit address", you will then be able to delete the long address and re-type in the correct link. 
7. Click out of the link field and it will save automatically.

No. The timings that sit alongside courses and lessons in Kallidus are an estimate of how long it might take you to complete said course or lesson – just so you know approximately how much time to set aside. 

If you are using and iPad or iPhone, we are aware of an issue with Google Chrome and the End of lesson quizzes. We have found that if you close and re-open the end of lesson quiz, the issue should resolve itself and you can see a button that says ‘submit’ or a tick icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. If you try this and you still cannot proceed, please switch to using Kallidus through Safari as the material performs correctly on this browser.

You will get access to Kallidus roughly 1 month to 2 weeks before you receive a new puppy to give you the chance to prepare yourself for the arrival. However, sometimes, this might be a shorter amount of time if we have had some changes of circumstances for our dogs.

If you have a puppy and an email address but still don’t have access, please contact PREP Support and we will help resolve the issue.

Currently, only 1 account is given per household. Whoever has been allocated the puppy in GDI-R (salesforce) will be the one to receive the account. We ask that that individual, completes the learning, shares knowledge learnt and if needed they can download the PDF guidance documents for the rest of the household to read the material as well.

One of the benefits of using a learning management system like Kallidus is that it lets us monitor how people engage with the learning, allowing us to continuously improve the experience. Giving access at the right time, as materials are needed, also allows Puppy Development Advisors (PDAs) to better tailor learning and support to individual Puppy Raisers. 

As people work through the guidance materials, it is likely they will have some questions or want to discuss things (as is done now) with their PDA. It is therefore important that a PDA is able to give this support and the best way to do this is by focussing on the people that need the support most at that time (those with a puppy).

Access to Kallidus also comes with a small cost per user, so we want to ensure we minimise this cost by providing licenses to those who really need them.

A number of the documents within the information folder or book have been updated

Yes, you will receive access to Kallidus, this will include the PREP content and some additional elements to support you in your role. We are currently working on this but hope to make your content available in August. We will communicate more information in due course, please bear with us!

Only the PDA responsible for a Puppy Raiser will be able to see that this individual has engaged with the content. This is important to help PDAs provide individualised support.

Kallidus will be available to Puppy Raisers with a puppy until their puppy moves into training. The account is then suspended until they get their next puppy. 

No, learning history is stored within the administration side of Kallidus. So although when you receive your next puppy all material will appear as new, we will have your learning history available for reference if needed.

The first stage of PREP will be released in July 2021, covers essential information and foundation knowledge. This comes in the form of seven guidance documents and includes information on the principles underpinning PREP; why we have these principles, different types of visual impairment; preparing for your puppy;  managing your first week with your puppy and essential information.  

The second stage, starting in August 2021, is the PREP foundation course. This focuses on the information that underpins the PREP principles such as how dogs learn, what is positive reinforcement training, why do we use positive reinforcement training techniques and the human animal bond. These courses will be delivered primarily by PDAs. You will be able to book a place through Kallidus. 

The third stage, released towards the end of 2021, covers specific guidance on 51 individual behaviours and how to develop them with your puppy. A number of these you likely already do with your puppy (teaching them to be left alone, recall, settling) but some will be new or provide updated information. Each of the 51 behaviours consists of written background guidance and step by step information with some videos demonstrating the behaviours. 

Please remember that this guidance is in addition to support from your PDA. 

PREP focuses on when our dogs are at the puppy stage. That said the needs of our Guide Dog partners are embedded within the PREP programme. By us standardising our puppy programme, we are also able to know that our puppies have had the same or similar experiences throughout the country. 

Our original plan for rollout was to release all stages of content closer together and beginning in Dec 2020. Unfortunately, the project was impacted by COVID which limited our ability to produce and share some of the content. As PREP will continuously develop and evolve what we do with our approach to puppy development, updates and information will continue to be added from July.

As part of PREP we will be updating the way that our puppies associate the whistle with food. Whilst our current approach of ‘whistle feeding’ can enable puppies to make an association with the whistle it is not the most effective way for all puppies. There is no rush to change the way this is done and as such your PDA will explain to you if, when and how we will introduce the whistle to your puppy. Please therefore continue to do what you are doing until advised otherwise by your PDA.

No, this is not true. There may be individual circumstances where a PDA says that it is not appropriate for a puppy to go in a campervan or on holiday but there is no general rule which says they are unable to.

The bucket game is a husbandry behaviour that we currently teach our dogs in STEP and that we will also be teaching to our puppies in PREP. First of all, please don’t worry if you haven’t yet heard of it or introduced it to your puppy. Your PDA will tell you more information along with if and when it is appropriate for you to introduce it. As a summary though, the ‘bucket game’ enables our dogs to have choice and control in participating with handling and veterinary procedures. It gives our dogs more choice, builds trust and their confidence in these situations. Here's a short Bucket game video that explains it in more detail and that you might enjoy.

PREP is a standard framework for what we do in puppy raising. However, it provides the flexibility and understanding that every puppy and puppy raiser is different. Your PDA has been provided with all the information about PREP and they will support  you and your puppy in the best way to work through PREP for your partnership. 

This may mean that you introduce things at different stages to another puppy raiser, may prioritise and focus on other areas with your puppy and may do things slightly differently than with your previous or next puppy.

There is a lot of information and guidance within PREP. A lot of this may be familiar (particularly  if you have had a puppy previously) and some of it will add to your understanding and experience. Puppies grow and develop all the time and we too are also learning all the time. 

Some puppy raisers will read and practice all the materials, other puppy raisers may be asked to prioritise only certain aspects with their puppy by their PDA. Either way, PREP is about having access to information, developing your understanding and applying this throughout your time with your puppy. Most importantly enjoy putting your skills and knowledge into practice with your puppy! 

We plan to continuously update the PREP guidance and advice to keep it as up-to-date as possible, and we certainly don’t expect Puppy Raisers to have learned and mastered all of the content after just one puppy. After all, every puppy is an individual, and you may find that some PREP content applies to one puppy but not the next, who may require more focus and attention around a different set of behaviours. As such, we have designed PREP to allow you to work through all of the content with each new puppy, depending on the skills and knowledge you have developed and the unique nature of your partnership. Your PDA will guide you through the most relevant materials , helping to ensure that your puppy receives training specifically tailored to them.

Within this content there is important information on dog law, health and safety and both your and Guide Dogs responsibilities when you have a guide dog puppy in your home. We hope that the content will be an interesting read, even if not immediately applicable. Your PDA will be able to advise on what is essential and what may be better to cover when you get your next puppy. This also applies to the 51 behaviours that make up stage three – it’s unlikely that you will cover them all with every puppy (though there’s nothing to stop you learning about them all!) and your PDA will direct you to the most relevant content for your partnership.

As has always been the case, every volunteer application is different and is therefore discussed with a PDA at interview stage. We currently do have Puppy Raisers who work and PREP shouldn’t change their ability to do this, it may in some cases add more flexibility.

With any change, regardless of how well managed, it is impossible to guarantee that everyone involved will ‘come along’. Before we started to develop PREP we listened to Puppy Raisers and staff who told us that they wanted updated training supported by better use of technology. We also looked at the number of volunteers with access to suitable devices (97%+) to ensure the vast majority of Puppy Raisers would benefit from the new system. Where we have tested PREP with Puppy Raisers, those who were sceptical about Kallidus told us that it was easier to use than they first feared; being “clear, intuitive and easy to navigate.”

Remember also that Kallidus does not replace PDA support, instead providing additional information and support that we hope is really useful. 

We will continue to listen and welcome your feedback when you get access to PREP, so that we can continuously improve the experience.

Support in using technology will be available from PDAs and from the system admin Molly. We hope that the benefits will be obvious and that everyone will pick things up quickly. Bear in mind that the technology is only part of PREP, content can also be accessed through PDAs on a 1:1 basis or through puppy classes.

As everyone learns at their own pace we can’t say exactly how much time PREP learning will take. We don’t expect core PREP learning to take significantly more time than learning to be a Puppy Raiser takes now. 

PREP is person centred, so while there will be an ongoing requirement to refresh training, this will be guided by your PDA in line with the latest information and your individual learning needs. 

Not at this time, as we are focusing on getting PREP rolled out to our Puppy Raisers first. We are looking at the learning we provide for all staff and volunteer roles. We are very keen to hear your feedback on PREP, so that we can continuously improve as we develop further content and refine the experience for everyone. In the meantime, any handover from a Puppy raiser to a fosterer remains the most important element for passing on key information about your individual puppy.

Currently, this is only going out to Puppy Raisers as this is what PREP has been designed for, however, the resources and materials that fosterers receive is currently being looked at by another team (with the amalgamation of all fosterer roles, this includes puppy fosterers). We are hopeful any learning from PREP can then be looked at for other volunteer roles.