How to become a puppy carer

Being a puppy carer is a very rewarding role. If you are interested in becoming a puppy carer, you will need to meet some requirements.

Due to the huge volume of interest in the caring program, our full time Puppy Carer program is currently only accepting applications in: 

Victoria

• East of Melbourne to the Yarra Ranges (anywhere south of the eastern freeway)
• South East of Melbourne to Portsea (anywhere south of the eastern freeway)
• Kensington, Flemington, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale, West Melbourne
• Bendigo region and surrounding suburbs
• Geelong region and surrounding suburbs

Queensland 

• Sunshine Coast region and surrounding suburbs
• North Brisbane region and surrounding suburbs

We do not currently have a program in NSW, WA, SA, TAS or NT at this stage. However if you have people interested in those areas, please feel free to contact us and we can chat further.  

Nominated primary carer

The puppy should have one adult carer (nominated primary carer) who is responsible for all aspects of the puppy’s care, socialisation and training. This helps with consistency of training which is very important.

Other members of the household can help with the training but it needs to be kept consistent.

Be the dedicated contact

The puppy must be with the carer for most of the day and must not be left alone for more than 3.5 hours at a time.

Have dogs inside your home

Seeing Eye Dog puppies must sleep inside.

Do you have one or less dogs in your household? (If you have more than one, please check with your local council, usually councils allow two dogs, and some allow three).

For renters

• Letter to landlord seeking approval [doc, 83 kb]
• Landlord approval letter [doc, 39 kb]

Be available

The carer should be available for visits from a puppy development trainer during the week during business hours. We also conduct group training sessions in-person and online your puppy development trainer will advise of dates and locations.

Give the pup lots of regular training and socialisation experiences

Carers must be able to provide regular socialisation experiences for the puppy taking in to account the pup's age and ability as as advised by the puppy development trainer.

Some socialisation activities include:

• travelling in cars and on public transport
• exposure to traffic, shops, cafes, restaurants, crowds and animals
• walking in city and country/suburban areas.