DOG lovers from across Bolton are being urged to provide homes for guide dogs in training.

Local Guide Dogs groups are hoping people will step forward to provide temporary homes for the dogs during their training

Nicola Yates and her family have done just that and are hoping more people follow in their footsteps.

Mrs Yates, who recently said an emotional goodbye to her first guide dog, Chisel, is loving her new role.

"Chisel has gone to Wales and I feel very proud of him," she said.

Mrs Yates said she had never been a dog owner before and had always wanted to hear the patter of four padded feet in her home.

"But I didn't think it was fair to leave a dog at home while I went out to work," she explained.

So taking in a guide dog — in training — seemed like the perfect compromise.

Following intensive training Chisel went to live with the family three months ago and, at the age of 19-months, was ready to start work.

While living with Mrs Yates, husband John-Paul and their two sons, Daniel, aged 18 and 16-year-old Thomas in Leigh, Chisel learned everything he needed to know about commands and behaving himself in the house.

"We had to learn all the commands a guide dog needs. They learn to eat and go to the toilet to certain commands.

"They also have to learn free running, off lead, and they are not to be given scraps and must learn to walk well on the lead," said Mrs Yates.

Each day Chisel would be dropped off at the Guide Dogs' training centre in Atherton and then collected in the evening by Mrs Yates.

"We had the rewards of enjoying his company in the evening and at weekends," said Mrs Yates who added that the family had got out and about more, together, thanks to Chisel.

"It took us away from the television and computer games," she said, adding that she hoped it would not be long before another dog was back in the house.

"We will definitely do it again. It has been a wonderful experience. The training is wonderful and the staff at the centre are excellent. They are all very helpful."

Anyone keen to find out more about providing a temporary home for a guide dog should contact volunteering consultant Janet Harper on 0845 372 7409 or email janet.harper@guidedogs.org.uk