The day Tango came home with Chris Kirby was a memorable one.

B次元官网网址淗e had a little wee on the ferry,B次元官网网址� Kirby said, looking at the blond lab bored and stretched out at his feet.

As a seven-week-old pup, Tango was as rambunctious as any little furball, but a year and a half later, his demeanour is noticeably demure.

With his B.C. Guide Dog Services working vest on, Tango knows itB次元官网网址檚 not playtime. HeB次元官网网址檚 calm, horizontal on the floor and hardly flinches when other dogs come up to give him a sniff.

Mojo is a far cry from TangoB次元官网网址檚 well-mannered state.

At six months old, heB次元官网网址檚 easily excited and can barely sit still. At a celebration of the first Guide Dog trained on the Island last week, Mojo sniffed at legs and pulled on his leash, but never did the youngster bark.

B次元官网网址淗opefully heB次元官网网址檒l start getting better soon,B次元官网网址� his puppy raiser Sharel Lambert said.

For both Lambert and Kirby, this is their first stint as puppy raisers for B.C. Guide Dogs. ItB次元官网网址檚 a 24/7 job that involves constant hands-on involvement with the dogs and an endless supply of patience. Raisers either have to be home all day or take the dog to work.

B次元官网网址淚t starts the minute you get up to the minute you go to bed,B次元官网网址� Lambert said, B次元官网网址渁nd 98 per cent of it is fun.B次元官网网址�

Lambert carries a backpack with her everywhere she goes because, for example, in a grocery store one day, Mojo had to go B次元官网网址� and Lambert had to be prepared with a poop-scooping bag, disinfecting spray and paper towels.

B次元官网网址淔ortunately it was in the magazine aisle ... and there were only about three people in the store. He also peed in Hillside (Shopping Centre).B次元官网网址�

Puppy raisers dedicate their days to training the dogs, exposing them to almost every possible situation and environment. The pups must meet other dogs, go to grocery stores, church and the ballet, interact with children and adults. And meanwhile, they must stay on their best behaviour. While the blue vest is on, the dogs are at work.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e a little bit more work than a regular pet,B次元官网网址� Kirby explained.

Training is done by praise only B次元官网网址� no treats B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渋t takes a bit more connectedness with the animal to let him know you appreciate what he did and you hope he does it again.B次元官网网址�

The relationship between a raiser and the dog is like a working relationship, but also like that of parent and child, Kirby said.

B次元官网网址淎s far as (Tango) leaving, itB次元官网网址檚 like IB次元官网网址檓 a parent and heB次元官网网址檚 going to college or university and you want him to do well and get a good job,B次元官网网址� Kirby laughed.

After about 18 months of conditioning, itB次元官网网址檚 time for the dogs to go off to work, helping the visually impaired or people with autism go about their days.

The day a dog leaves their puppy raiser is never an easy one, said William Thornton, CEO of B.C. Guide Dog Services, whoB次元官网网址檚 been working with dogs since 1977.

Despite the pain of that eventual separation, Lambert said the experience is worthwhile.

B次元官网网址淔or the right person, itB次元官网网址檚 the most rewarding experience.B次元官网网址�

ecardone@vicnews.com

Did you know?

B次元官网网址� B.C. Guide Dog Services just opened an office at 104-1027 Pandora Ave.

B次元官网网址� Thursday marked the graduation of the first guide dog trained on the Island, Eddy.

B次元官网网址� Several other puppies are being raised and trained currently.

B次元官网网址� Puppy raisers and boarders are always needed. All expenses are paid by B.C. Guide Dogs, except toys and a bed. For more information, go to www.bcguidedog.com.