DEDICATED puppy walkers are needed to help give potential guide dogs for the blind the best possible start in life. The hand picked pups, that could go on to give a blind person freedom and companionship, need tender loving care and constant attention to ensure they make the grade. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, in Bolton, is appealing for puppy walkers to come forward to lend an important hand in the up bringing of the pups.

Puppy walkers look after their wards from six-weeks-old up until they are eleven months when they go on to full time training at the centre on Lowndes Street.

Karen Duffin, puppy walking supervisor, said the puppies need a stable environment in their first year where they will experience as many different things as possible.

She said: "We're looking for people who like dogs and who have spare time.

"We interview potential puppy walkers and visit their homes to check out the environment where the puppy will live.

"We can't say who makes a good puppy walker, as we have all sorts of people helping out."

Karen added that ideally people would not work or only work part-time, just a few hours a day and they should also have a garden or a small concrete area and ideally have transport or have access to transport.

Single people, couples or families can apply and it does not matter if they already have pets. "Puppy walkers are required to attend obedience and training classes with their pups as well as open classes and perhaps conferences in the future," said Karen.

Puppy walkers get considerable help from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. It provides leads, collars, veterinary care plus food and expenses.

All puppy walkers need to provide themselves are food dishes, bedding and a cosy bed - which could even be a cardboard box.

Karen added: "Being a puppy walker means you have the fun and enjoyment of having a pup without having the long term commitment of a dog.

"The down side is that some puppy walkers don't want to see their puppy go when its time for them to move on to full time training at the centre.

"We give puppy walkers regular updates on how the puppy is doing and when it becomes a guide dog. "Some walkers like to get another puppy immediately after one has gone for training, while others like a break. It's entirely up to them if they see it as a long term commitment or not."

If you would like more information about becoming a puppy walker for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association contact Karen Duffin on Bolton 495111.

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