Guide Dogs sees rehoming enquiries soar amid lockdown rush for new dogs

Guide Dogs has seen a surge in applications by the members of the public looking to rehome withdrawn and retired guide dogs from the charity – and urges people to think carefully about training.

The trend follows the exploding interest in dog ownership seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, with rescue centres and puppy breeders reporting considerably higher demand.

In 2019 the charity, which has a training site in Exeter, saw an average of 355 applications every month to join its rehoming waiting list from across the UK. This increased significantly to 830 applications per month from the start of this year.

While there have been record numbers generously offering to rehome from the charity, Guide Dogs reminds people there are no short cuts to owning a well-mannered, well-adjusted dog. All dogs, even former guide dogs, need ongoing training. And with local lockdowns set to continue and social distancing rules in force, dog training options are much more limited.

For the first time, Guide Dogs is offering up the charity’s canine expertise to the public and their pets through the post, with added online support. The charity has launched Good Dog!, it’s new training subscription service for both new lockdown puppies and older dogs needing to sharpen their skills.

David Grice, Head of Training and Behaviour at Guide Dogs says: “We are incredibly fortunate to have so many people offering fantastic new homes for our withdrawn and retired guide dogs, and even under normal circumstances there are more offers than dogs.

“We rehome our dogs for a variety of different reasons, and their owners leave with advice for any behavioural issues their new dog may have.

“But all owners, wherever their dog has come from, are able apply our techniques to teaching their pet with Good Dog!.”

Guide Dogs is asking lifelong dog lovers and new pet owners to consider supporting the charity by signing up to Good Dog!, to receive packages and emails filled with training and behaviour advice direct from real guide dog trainers over the course of a year.

David says: “People who bought a puppy during those early weeks of lockdown, for example, may discover their growing dog now needs more exercise, socialisation and attention than ever before, which can be an overwhelming time for a new owner. We can help make it a more enjoyable experience instead.

“We’ve launched Good Dog! for those who wish their pet was as well-behaved as a guide dog. And at a time when dog training advice has had to go remote, the subscription packs our world-leading expertise into a box.”

Good Dog! helps owners to train like a Guide Dogs expert, through seasonal boxes packed with step-by-step learning challenges and insights into dog behaviour, as well as access to exclusive online content. Dogs and owners receives treats along the way too. The £10 per month subscription fee supports Guide Dogs to continue its life-changing work for people with sight loss.

Supporters can sign up at www.guidedogs.org.uk/good-dog