Faster home programs

The basic training of a guide dog starts when the dog is about 18 months old. Before the training, the puppy needs a foster home, where it grows up and is taken care of as any other puppies are. Puppies have been raised in foster homes from the beginning of the guide dog activity

It is expected, that an adult member of the foster family is usually at home in the daytime. This way the puppy is kept out of mischief and the imprinting process goes better.

Puppies are placed in foster homes preferably nearby Guide Dog School, because that way it's easier to follow the puppy's development. The school pays for the medical care and reimbursement for food if the puppy is going to be trained to be a guide dog. The foster family engages to transport the puppy when necessary and follow the training and grooming instructions given by Guide Dog School.

The contribution made by the puppy raisers is a very important part of the work of Guide Dog School. Without foster homes it would be impossible to train guide dogs. School's own breeding work wouldn't be possible without foster home programs.