PUPPY WALKING POTENTIAL BREEDING STOCK (PBS) – A GUIDE FOR
INFORMATION
Your puppy may become a breeding dog for the Irish Guide Dog Breeding
Scheme. During his/her time with you will be some extra assessments for
him/her that are different to pups on the puppy walking schemes that are
being puppy walked for training programs only. Below are some useful tips
and information on milestones for you.
Your dog will not be neutered until a final decision has been made on the
whole litter which can take up to and over 12 months. It is essential you
maintain consistency on obedience, routine and structure in his/her day to
day activities.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Irish Guide Dogs for
the Blind Dog Supply Manager or your puppy walking supervisor and we will
be more than happy to assist. Best of luck and we hope you enjoy your
puppy walking time!
FEMALES – SEXUAL MATURITY – Approx. 10 months
Female dogs can get pregnant only during their heat – three to four days in
their cycle when their unfertilized eggs ripen. Some females will show physical
signs of readiness – their discharge will lighten in colour, and they will “flag,” or
lift their tail up and to the side. Others will show no behavioural changes;
Female dogs do not have monthly menstrual periods like humans but come
into “heat,” or “season,” once or twice a year. This is their most fertile time
and precautions are necessary during this time. You will notice physical
changes during this time:

Season lasts for 21 days.

Swelling of the vulva (vagina entrance).

Bleeding – begins as clear discharge pre estrus, darkens to deep red estrus
(prime time to mate) and gets heavier, begins to lighten post estrus.

Teats become enlarged.

Slight odour in some cases.

Behaviour changes for example - she tries to get out to mate, humping
behaviour increases.

Some can go off food.
You cannot leave a female in heat unattended for one moment outside, not
even in a fenced yard. Whether or not she is in that narrow window of time
when she can get pregnant, she might attract a male, and they might breed
anyway. Once you notice discharge contact your Puppywalking Supervisor
immediately who will advise on next steps.
MALES – SEXUAL MATURITY
Males reach sexual maturity at approx. 10 months of age. At this time you will
notice some physical and behavioural changes. .

Head and body enlarges due to testosterone hormone.

Becomes stronger on the lead – speak to your Puppywalking Supervisor
on tips to prevent this. Head collars can be used once your
Puppywalking Supervisor has shown you how. Praising appropriate
lead behaviour is the best way to prevent ‘dragging’ you.

Testicles drop.

Dog may try to wander to mate – ensure to prevent him escaping from
your garden.

Marks territory – see below information on marking.

Possible aggression – if you see any form of aggression you must
contact your Puppy walking Supervisor immediately to get appropriate
advice on this.

Tries to hump dogs both male and females - This can be hormone or
territory related. It is best not to encourage this behaviour from an
early age. Tell the dog ‘off’ and if he/ she does not simple take him/
her by the collar to remove off the other dog. Discuss with your
Puppywalking Supervisor on the situation to see if you can determine if
this is behavioural or territorial.
TIPS TO MANAGE ENTIRE MALES WHEN OUT IN PUBLIC
It is essential you keep you lead short and your dog at your side on your walk.
Discuss the use of early introduction of halti/ gentle leaders to assist your
handling his strength and eagerness. If you are walking him on a long lead
he can gain strength and pull. It important you recognise he is becoming a
strong teenager and is not the fluffy puppy you once had.
Aggression – due to the temperament of the dogs bred on our Breeding
Program we will rarely find aggression, however you can at times have some
mild grumbling or ‘stand offs’ in the street with your male. Should this happen
the best advice would be:

Predict what will happen before it does and adjust your technique or
route to avoid/ minimise challenge.

Recognise the change in behaviour and intervene with a different
approach either vocal or treat.

Have special treats for walks.

Use your halti/ gentle leader for these situations.

Ensure his collar is fitted effectively to allow you to lift the collar to
diffuse the pending standoff.

Change your direction or move on in a calm manner.
Marking – he will begin to scent other male and female scents in the
environment. Marking behaviour is natural and he needs to be allowed to
do this. However ensure he does this on invitation only. Urine-marking is a
territorial behavior. Your dog feels the need to assert his presence or ease his
anxiety by laying out his boundaries. He does this by depositing small
amounts of urine on anything he feels belongs to him—the furniture, the walls,
your socks, etc.
Urine-marking is most often associated with male dogs, but females may do
it, too. Leg-lifting is the primary way of marking, but even if your entire dog
doesn't lift his leg, he may still be marking.
The amount of urine is small and is found primarily on vertical surfaces, but
dogs do sometimes mark on horizontal surfaces. You need to determine if
your dog is soiling or marking.
Soiling means your dog is emptying his/her bladder in areas he/she has not
been house trained correctly. Typically you will see large puddles of urine or
faeces. If your dog is correctly house trained and doesn’t experience
frequent accidents, your dog is likely soiling and not marking. This could mean
your dog is unwell, may have a urine tract infection, bout of diarrhea or may
have been left inside too long to hold on.
Marking, on the other hand, can be recognized when your dog frequently
deposits small amounts of urine in various areas throughout the home. This
could even be as small as a drip of urine — just enough to mark a scent. It
simply means your entire dog's natural instincts have kicked in.
How to manage marking behaviour in the home:


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Deep-clean - Clean any previously soiled areas thoroughly using
cleaners that are free from ammonia or vinegar. These ingredients
won't effectively cover up scents and could possibly make it more
attractive for your entire dog to mark. DO NOT USE BLEACH – it contains
ammonia and resembles the scent of urine over time.
Tidy up - Remove any personal items and guest items from the floor.
Anything your entire dog may want to claim as his property is up for
grabs, such as purses, diaper bags, suitcases etc. Do a quick scan of
the house and make sure all items are in a safe place away from your
entire dog.
Keep a close eye – Unsupervised dogs will find a place to mark.
Always watch your dog around the house to correct the behaviour as
it is happening. In instances when you are unable to watch your dog,
confine your dog to an area and make it his home. Put his dog bed,
toys and treats in the confined area so he knows it is not a punishment
but rather a safe place for him to rest. Your dog will feel at ease and
your belongings will remain urine-free. If you see your dog trotting
down to bedrooms or other rooms call him/her back to stay where you
can see him/her.
What won’t work - Do not punish dog after the accident has
happened. Coming home to a marked household is never pleasant,
but your dog will not know what the punishment is for. Be patient with
your dog and practice praising good behaviour rather than punishing
behaviour he’s already forgotten about.
How to manage marking behaviour on a walk.

Ensure he goes before the walk.

Allocate somewhere along a daily route (usually 1/3 or ½ way through
walk) to allow marking, head to a grass verge/ pole area and tell him
to ‘busy busy’. Allowing him to mark on a long lead in this area.

To prevent excessive or free marking cross over the road and have the
dog walking on the outside. Again using your halti/ gentle leader to
prevent him crossing over you to a pole, grass verge, building, etc.

Alternatively if there are opportunities on both side of the path, walk
him in the middle of the pavement and go extra wide around poles,
etc.
Recall – this can be tricky with entire males. Ensuring you develop a strong
recall response from puppyhood is essential but even if there is some dogs
can become challenges when they become ‘teenagers!!’

Find an enclosed safe free running area that can be used routinely.
This allows him and you to get to know the dogs and owners that use
this area and how to avoid and who are approachable.

Ensuring a well fitted collar and high end treats or toy can be used.

When initial ‘go free’ is done take notice of each time he glimpses
back at you and time your recall whistle to this and treat well on return.

Use long lines for recall if your dog tends to ignore you. Ask you
Puppywalking support about this. Do not use flexi leads as they stop
suddenly and can be a danger to your shoulder/ back and the dog’s
neck.
Other pets in the home – this relationship will need to have the boundaries put
in as your dog grows. If he is rough playing, being unfair with the other pet do
not be afraid to take the leadership role here and stop the play. Allow play
to continue on an appropriate level that all the family can enjoy.
Should you begin to experience problems with your entire dog please
contact your puppy walking support for advice/ next steps.
STANDARDISED HEALTH SCREENING FOR PBS
Under Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Breeding Scheme protocols we require
our potential breeding stock to undergo testing prior to being accepted onto
our Breeding Scheme.
These tests do not hurt the dog and are done when the dog reaches 12
months of age. These tests also ensure we comply with International Guide
Dog Federation standards. A potential breeding stock dog will be brought to
the training centre at 12/14 months and the tests will be done with Irish Guide
Dogs for the Blind allocated veterinary clinic.
PBS 12/14 months of age to receive:
Temperament testing – BCL this test is done onsite at our Training Center in
Co. Cork to assess the dogs genetic makeup in regard to his/ her reactions in
the environment.
Fertility Assessment


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PBS Stud - Semen Analysis to be carried out by qualified laboratory.
PBS Brood – clinical exam for any physical abnormalities of the
reproductive tract, infantile vulva, strictures, etc.
Brood – Ultra sound scan of the reproductive tract including ovaries.
Orthopedic Assessment


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X-rays – Hips and Elbows– radiographs to be screened and scored
under international scoring system.
Shoulders – assessed if ok/ not ok.
Spinal screening – only if clinical evidence of pain.
Genetic Assessment


EIC – if PBS Labrador only – done by DNA swab.
PRA – done by blood test.
Ophthalmic Assessment

Dilated Eye Test – written report OA/1 to be completed by assessor and
returned to DSM.
Echocardiogram – Ultrasound of heart.

Cardiac defects.
Blood / Urine Profile


Complete blood/ chemistry panel.
Urinalysis.
PROCEDURE FOR ACCEPTING AND PLACING PBS ONTO IRISH GUIDE DOGS
FOR THE BLIND BREEDING SCHEME.
Once all tests are completed the Dog Supply Manager (DSM) will place the
dog in sourced and approved home on a probation basis of 6 months. The
Volunteer Stock Holder (VSH) will have completed training and all relevant
checks prior to placement. The DSM will update the pw regularly during this
time.
Once probation period is finished DSM will contact pw to advise of new
home and will provide both VSH and PW of each other’s contact details.