The Japanese Spitz is a loving bundle of fluff on legs that is bold, smart and full of personality.

The ideal home for a Japanese Spitz is one that has people who have time for them, who will play and interact with them every day. They are a breed that likes to be with the family and can become stressed and destructive if left outside and alone all the time.
They love to get out and explore and need regular daily exercise, along with an owner who has the time and understanding for their grooming needs.

Do you have some spare time in your life and a puppy-sized hole in your heart? Do we have the solution for you!

At Guide Dogs Australia, an important part of their volunteer program is their Puppy Raisers. Being a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser almost sounds too good to be true. You are given a pup in training, help raise and shape them to reach their best potential, and return them ready to continue their journey towards changing someone’s life. How amazing is that?!

At around 8 weeks of age, a potential Guide Dog pup is placed in the home of a volunteer Puppy Raiser, where they will live for approximately 12 to 14 months.

During this time, the Puppy Raiser, with support and training from Guide Dogs, will help teach their pup important skills. These include having good manners on lead, understanding basic commands, having positive social interactions, getting out and about in different environments and so much more. They will learn to live in a loving and safe home environment, as well as attend regular training sessions in their local area.

This rewarding role allows Puppy Raisers to play a vital part in the growth and development of their puppy, giving them the best opportunity to become a confident, well-socialised and skilled Guide Dog.

Guide Dogs is with their volunteers every step of the way, offering ongoing support and guidance throughout the Puppy Raising experience. Puppy Raisers are also provided with many of their pup’s needs, including:

• Food and bowls
• Flea, worming and other preventative treatments
• Collars and leads
• Grooming equipment
• Veterinary costs through approved vets in their local area

Some of the requirements to become a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser include:

• Living within the area covered by your local Guide Dogs centre, so you can attend regular training
  
• Being home often enough that your pup is not left alone for more than 4 hours at a time
• Being able to walk and exercise your pup daily
• Having access to a car for transport to training sessions and vet appointments
• Providing a safe, secure home environment where your pup can sleep indoors
  
  

To find out more about the requirements, click here to see if you could be the perfect fit to become a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser!

After approximately 12 to 14 months, your pup will be ready to return to Guide Dogs for assessment and to continue their training.

Although saying goodbye to the beautiful pup you have loved and cared for over the past year can be incredibly hard, your dedication and hard work has helped a potential Guide Dog on their journey towards becoming a life-changing companion for someone with low vision or blindness.

And the best part? Once your pup has moved on to the next stage of their journey, you can apply to welcome another puppy into your home and do it all over again!

To ensure you have a well-balanced and happy dog, their physical, emotional, and mental needs must be met. One of the best ways to achieve this is through enrichment.

Enrichment helps prevent behavioural issues that often stem from boredom, stress, or anxiety. Engaging in stimulating activities with your dog can deepen your bond and build a strong, trusting relationship.

Dogs are natural pack animals, and they instinctively look for calm leadership to feel safe and secure. That’s the role we need to play in their lives — to guide them with calm, confident direction.
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Let’s dig into the three key types of enrichment and see how you’re supporting your dog’s overall wellbeing!

​The amount of physical exercise your dog needs will vary based on their breed, age, and health, but physical enrichment goes far beyond a simple daily walk.

Dogs thrive when they have purpose and focus. A loose, unstructured walk, especially with pulling and distraction, often results in more pent-up energy than when the walk began. In contrast, a structured, calm walk that encourages your dog to focus and follow your lead burns both physical and mental energy.

For dogs that enjoy it, running alongside a bike, jogging, or even structured games like fetch can serve as excellent outlets. Many breeds also love participating in agility, tracking, canine sports, or swimming, all of which give them a task to focus on while expending energy in a productive way.

​Possibly the most important of all, mental enrichment is key to having a calm, focused, and well-behaved dog.

A dog with built-up mental energy can become destructive, anxious, or reactive. Mental stimulation can and should be part of every interaction you have with your dog.

Here are some effective ways to offer mental enrichment:

• Set clear rules and boundaries in the home. For example, give your dog a dedicated space and invite them into shared areas like the couch or bed only when appropriate.
• Continue training and teaching new commands, even with adult dogs. Learning new things provides mental stimulation and reinforces your leadership.
• Structured walks (as mentioned above) help your dog focus and regulate their behaviour, which drains excess mental energy more effectively than a chaotic walk full of pulling and distractions.
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➡️ Pack Leader Pointer: Dogs can get bored of routines just like humans. Regularly changing training exercises or adding small challenges (like waiting calmly at doorways or before meals) boosts their mental sharpness.

Emotional enrichment is about nurturing your dog’s inner world, helping them feel safe, stimulated, and satisfied.

You can do this in simple ways without even leaving the house:

• Sensory games, like hiding food or treats around the yard or house, allow your dog to use their powerful nose to “hunt.”
• Use interactive puzzle toys like Kongs, snuffle mats, and treat-dispensing balls.
• Rotate toys weekly instead of giving all at once. This keeps interest levels high and prevents boredom.
• Vary your walk locations to expose your dog to new smells, sights, and sounds…. even if it’s just taking a different path through the park.
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➡️ Smart Pup Tip: Dogs explore the world primarily through their sense of smell, offering new scents can be just as enriching as physical activity.

Each type of enrichment for dogs; physical, mental, and emotional, works together to support a well-rounded, healthy dog. A dog who is well-stimulated in all three areas is more likely to be:

• Calm and content indoors
• Less prone to destructive or anxious behaviour
• More responsive to training and routines
• Emotionally balanced and socially confident
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By incorporating these types of enrichment into your dog’s daily life, you’ll help them become a happy, relaxed, and safe companion…. and your household will benefit too.