Training Dog Fosterer

About us

Guide Dogs helps people with sight loss live the life they choose. Our life-changing support, people and dogs help people live actively, independently and well.

About the role

Are you a dog lover with room in your home to look after a dog during evenings and weekends? This could be the perfect role for you!

As a Training Dog Fosterer, you’ll be giving a dog in training a loving home whilst they embark on their journey to become a guide dog. You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.

In this rewarding role, your support for a guide dog in training will include:
• Doing the school run for your dog in training! This will typically involve dropping them off and
picking them up at an agreed time Monday to Friday at our site in Hamilton, ML3 6JT. Drop off between 8-9am and collect between 5-5.45pm.
• Caring for your dog in your home such as feeding, grooming, free running and playing, following
the advice of our expert staff.
• Helping your dog keep up with their training by reinforcing the techniques at home from our first-class training programme.
• Making sure your dog is not left alone for more than four hours in a 24-hour period. If you’re
planning on going on holiday, let us know at your initial phone call so we can plan alternative cover for your future life changer.

If you’re hoping to foster a guide dog in training, here’s what we ideally look for:
Being close to our Hamilton site so that your dog can get to their training.
The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in your home if you rent your home.
A safe and secure area outside for the dog to go to the toilet.

Note - we also have respite fosterer roles available, where the dog would temporarily stay with you but not require to attend Hamilton, for example if it requires some more support for training or health needs.

What you’ll get:
The opportunity to have a lovable canine companion!
The satisfaction in knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
The rewarding feeling of seeing your dog learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
An insight into our bespoke world-class training programme so that your dog’s training stays consistent at home, which can also help you train your own dogs or advance in a future career in dog handling.
The opportunity to be part of the Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people in your area.
A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Training and support:
You’ll attend a training workshop to understand the basics of our bespoke training techniques so you can confidently support your dog’s training at home.

For more information or to apply, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/fosterer