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Who are Guide Dogs for the Blind - Los Angeles Southwest Puppy Raisers?

See our About Us page.

How can I help Los Angeles Southwest Puppy Raisers?

You can help our local group by donating through our GDB Account 02-09, see donations.
You can become a puppy raiser, see Puppy Raising.
Thank You for your consideration of L.A. Southwest!

How do I find out about raising a puppy?

See Puppy Raising on this website or for more detailed information, see Puppy Raising on Guide Dogs for the Blind website.

What do I do when I meet a Guide Dog Team or a Puppy in Training?

See When You Meet a Working Guide Dog Team on the Guide Dogs for the Blind website.

Why are some puppies wearing a muzzle?

Many people mistake the head collar for a muzzle, but it is not. The head collar is a halter-type positive training tool used to prevent the pup from making mistakes rather than learning through collar correction and/or reward. The head collar is a humane training device that fits on the dog’s head and muzzle. All Guide Dogs are worked in a head collar (either the Halti or Gentle Leader brand) at some point prior to being placed as working guides. The head collar allows the handler to have full control over the dog without using force, keeping a distracted dog calm and focused. It is designed to permit the dog to fully open its mouth and can be worn when eating or drinking.

What can a Guide Dog do?

Please see our own What a Guide Dog Can Do, and Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Guide Dog Training.

Do the pups ever get to play like my pet dog?

What breeds does GDB use and where do they get them?

Labrador Retrievers have proven to have the most success worldwide as guides.  At GDB, Labradors constitute the largest percentage of the breeding colony.  GDB has a percentage of Golden Retrievers and also uses Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses in the training program.  The vast majority of the dogs are bred from GDB’s specially selected stock. A small percentage are donated from other guide dog schools, through international programs and other means.

How do guide dog puppies get their names?

How much does a Guide Dog cost?

While a blind person certainly invests a great deal of time and effort into a partnership with a Guide Dog, they are not asked to make financial payment of any kind for these services from GDB.  Guide Dogs for the Blind has never charged a person for any services including the Guide Dog. Guide Dogs for the Blind receives no government funding of any kind. All GDB services are covered by donations.

How can I adopt a dog that doesn’t qualify as a Guide Dog?

Where can I find out more about blindness and visual impairments?

Read about our presentations or see this GDB Fact Sheet.
You can use our form to schedule a presentation by the L.A. Southwest team.

At what age can a person get a Guide Dog?

Because it takes a level of maturity, discipline and commitment to work with a Guide Dog, the majority of our students are 16 and older. There is no upper age limit for people who have the health and stamina to work with a Guide Dog.

However, Guide Dogs for the Blind has an exciting program for blind or visually impaired youth called K-9 Buddy. Check it out.

I still have questions. How can I find out more?

Guide Dogs for the Blind’s website has additional information on many topics: newsletters, event information, resources and amazing stories from Guide Dog users.  Be sure to check back frequently for updated information.
Of course, you are always welcome to contact us for more information about Guide Dogs or about L.A. Southwest.
See our Facebook page.

Further information on Guide Dogs for the Blind’s website:

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