GUIDE DOGS chiefs have made a plea to people who may be willing to help young dogs start out on the road to a partnership with a visually impaired owner.

The charity is seeking puppy walkers who can commit to caring for a dog in their home from the age of six weeks until they are 14 months old.

“Puppy walkers provide an invaluable contribution in preparing puppies for a life as a working guide dog, teaching them basic obedience, and getting them used to a home environment, the bustle of towns, and public transport, etc.” said a Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) spokesperson.

“Puppy walking can be challenging, but also very rewarding.

“Our puppy walkers know they have helped us to provide independent mobility—in the shape of a guide dog—to a blind or partially-sighted person.

The charity’s website provides details on puppy walking, and the Scottish plea has come from the Guide Dogs new Forfar training school which was officially opened by Princess Alexandra last week.

The princess signalled the latest step in the charity’s association with Angus when she made a return visit to the town to look round the Orchardbank building and praised the work of staff there.