From puppyhood to graduation, we invite you to support and follow the progress of our GDA puppies as they grow from vulnerable, little bundles into confident, skilled Assistance Dogs. The journey of an Assistance Dog can take up to 24 months. At SA Guide-Dogs we have our own puppy breeding programme which ensures that we breed the optimal pups with high quality genes. We breed Labradors, Golden Retrievers and cross Labrador/Golden Retriever pups. The puppies spend their first weeks in the care of their loving mom, siblings, dedicated volunteers and qualified staff in our Puppy Block Facility at the Johannesburg training center. Here they get exposed to a multitude of sensory experiences to help them develop confidence, with a whole lot of love from our dedicated and experienced Puppy Block Team. At approximately 7 weeks each puppy is placed with a volunteer Puppy Raising family for the next 16 to 18 months. During the Puppy Raising phase the focus is mainly on basic obedience training, following specific cues given by their Puppy Raiser, walking well while on lead, general socialization and coping with distractions. Puppy Raisers are all assigned to a Puppy Raising Supervisor who support them with this puppy-training process. Siblings attend puppy classes together, socialize with each other and go on outings in order to be exposed to different environments. Between the ages of 16 to 18 months, the time comes for our dogs to start their formal training with our qualified Guide and Service Dog Instructors at training centers in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The training programme follows the international protocols as set out by IGDF and ADI. Formal training can take up to seven months, depending on the dog’s progress. Regular assessments are done to determine a dog’s readiness to be matched with their forever person. Once matched, each partnership goes through a training programme where they get to know, and bond with, each other before going home to start their exciting new journey together.