Withdrawn Guide Dogs

What happens to the dogs that don’t make it?

Due to Guide Dogs Queensland’s commitment to producing quality Guide Dogs, our dogs are continuously assessed throughout the training process to determine suitability to the guiding role.

Our success rate of producing qualified Guide Dogs is consistently improving and is currently around 50 per cent.

Naturally, not every dog fulfils its destiny of becoming a Guide Dog due to unavoidable factors including health and temperament.

Dogs that fail to meet our standard are withdrawn from the program and re-classified for alternative careers or rehomed with assessed families.

Those dogs that don’t make it may go on to become:

• Detector Dogs with Corrective Services Queensland
• Public Relations Dogs 
• Companion dogs or family pets  

Guide Dog-in-training Public Relations Program

We have a team of volunteers who take part in public relations and fundraising activities in partnership with a Guide Dog-in-training (Public Relations).  These dedicated people provide a home to these sociable dogs and take them along to public events, schools and corporate groups to promote to work of GDQ.  This role is suited to people with strong dog handling and public speaking skills, and we generally offer this opportunity to volunteers who have had a long association with GDQ through the Puppy Development Program or Breeding Stock Carer Program. 

Volunteers who work in this area need to fulfil the following criteria;

• Experience in raising a puppy or providing care through boarding 
• Able to speak well in public and be willing to represent Guide Dogs Queensland
• Time to attend Guide Dogs Queensland events and fundraising stalls
• Reside within 90 minutes of Bald Hills or a Guide Dogs Queensland regional office
• Allow the dog to live and sleep inside 
• A securely fenced yard 
• Able to provide the dog with regular exercise and grooming
• Able to maintain GDQ’s recommended handling and obedience training 
• Time to attend quarterly training sessions with our Guide Dog Services, and Communications and Marketing teams.  

Inquiries in regard to this program can be made through Guide Dogs Queensland on 07 3261 7555.

New life and family

Our dogs make wonderful pets and sometimes just need a loving home. It is for this reason we accept applications from community members interested in purchasing our re-homed dogs.

Even though the dogs are offered for sale, we allocate them based on assessment as there are certain criteria that need to be fulfilled including having a fenced yard and being able to accommodate the dog indoors.

Applicants should understand that our dogs are accustomed to a certain level of human contact. We expect our dogs to remain inside the home with regular human contact and stimulation such as exercise and the ability of the owner to meet feeding and veterinary costs. 

Click here to download the Application Form for a rehomed dog.

For more information about our Rehomed Dogs please contact Community Relations and Rehoming Coordinator Nicci Cahill on Ph:(07) 3500 9077or email n.cahill@guidedogsqld.com.au