Home Socialization Program

Note: Bring our adorable puppies into your home! Although, our greatest need continues to be for those who are available on weekdays, we are now accepting applications from those available only on weekends, as well.   We hope to hear from you soon! 

Home Socialization volunteers give our puppies one-on-one attention while introducing them to new sights and sounds in a home environment. These new experiences boost our puppies’ confidence and gives them the greatest chance for success as they proceed through the Guiding Eyes program.

Home Socializers bring two puppies, ages six to nine weeks old, into their home for three to five days to provide socialization and reinforce simple aspects of the pups’ training. These include massage, leash walking, riding in cars, sitting for meals, crate time, name response and other skills.

Learn more about volunteering in the Home Socialization Program from one of our Home Socializer families. Click here for the VIDEO! 

Responsibilities

Home Socialization Volunteers must:

• pick up and deliver puppies and equipment at the Canine Development Center in Patterson.
• successfully complete Home Socialization training.
• be willing to provide training and socialization experiences per the guidelines.
• be able to take puppies at least six times a year for a period of three to five days (Participants are not limited and may sign up as many times as they like each month.)
• provide a spot in the home with sufficient room for the x-pen, with a durable floor that can be easily cleaned, such as a kitchen or playroom, where the puppies can be near lots of activity.
• keep the puppies play pen clean, fully scrubbing and disinfecting the area once per day, plus frequent changing of the paper.
• feed the puppies three times per day.
• socialize the puppies in frequent short sessions throughout the day, totaling about 20 minutes per puppy.
• groom the puppies daily.
• adhere to vaccination protocol for other dogs in the home. (see below)

Vaccination Requirements for Pets

Volunteers who have other pets in the home can participate in this program, but they must be healthy, free of fleas and other parasites and friendly towards puppies. To best protect your pet dogs and the Guiding Eyes puppies coming in and out of your homes, we have instituted the following vaccination policy. Your dogs must be up to date on the required vaccines:

Required Vaccinations

• Rabies
• Bordetella
• DHPP

Strongly Recommended 

• H3N2 Flu
• H3N8 Flu

Recommended 

• Lyme
• Leptospirosis

Application – Home Socialization (Short-term Puppy Visits)

Note: Bring our adorable puppies into your home! Although, our greatest need continues to be for those who are available on weekdays, we are now accepting applications from those available only on weekends, as well.   We hope to hear from you soon! 

If you are interested in becoming involved in our Home Socialization Program, submit this application and the Home Socialization Coordinator will contact you in 7- 10 business days to discuss your application in greater detail. For additional information, please contact HS Program Coordinator at socialization@guidingeyes.org.