Guide Dogs North West

23/10/2026

After our pups leave their Puppy Raisers and start training, the Puppy Raisers are invited to come and see them working in harness.

Mel and Mark from Cumbria recently got to come in and see their pup Orion, who was very happy to see them again!

Mark said: "We loved how excited and happy he was when we met up, it was the icing on the cake after the pride of watching him do so well with his trainer out on the streets".

[Image description: Mark and Mel are kneeling down stroking Orion, smiling to the camera. Orion (yellow Golden Retriever*) is lying between them with a very happy face.]

21/10/2026

Calling all guide dog owners: we need your help to gather information about any access refusals you may have experienced in the last 12 months with your guide dog.

An access refusal is when you are challenged about your right to enter or are refused entry to a business or service with your guide dog.

This survey is six questions. Please follow this link to complete the survey 🙏 forms.cloud.microsoft/e/ib0KfA77gT

If you would like to complete this survey via the telephone, please call: 0118 354 0580.

If you need support with an access refusal, please contact our Guide Line on: 0800 781 1444.

[Visual Description: A person with a guide dog in harness (yellow Labrador) sits on a bench outside a stone building. They are surrounded by greenery and potted plants.]

19/10/2026

Bonfire Night is approaching - is your dog ready? 🎆

For millions of dogs, fireworks can turn a night of celebration into a stressful experience, but a little preparation now could make a big difference to helping your dog feel calmer 🐾

Did you know?
63% of the UK’s dogs experience firework anxiety.
43% of owners do nothing to prepare their dogs, simply "hoping for the best"
35% of owners don’t know that dogs can be gradually desensitised to fireworks.

The good news? There’s still time to help get your dog ready.
We’ve launched the National Fireworks Archive - the UK’s first free, crowd-sourced desensitisation training tool for dogs. Using real fireworks footage, alongside expert advice, it can help you gradually introduce your dog to the sounds of fireworks.

Discover The National Fireworks Archive and read our top tips for getting your dog fireworks ready 👉 https://bit.ly/3GqT88e

[Visual description: A golden retriever is lying on a comfortable grey dog bed in a lounge setting. A TV screen plays in the background showing images of colourful fireworks exploding in the night sky.]

15/10/2026

Spooktacular fun for Guide Dogs puppies at Magical Woodland!

11 puppies, along with their volunteer Puppy Raisers, visited the haunted attraction to highlight the importance of preparing young dogs for the spooky season.

They were also joined by Aries, an 18-week-old Harris Hawk, who made a special appearance to practise being around dogs under the careful supervision of his handler, Jack.

The experience was dog-friendly and took place during the daytime, providing a safe and fun training session while helping to ensure the puppies’ first Halloween is a positive, fright-free experience. The opportunity to encounter Aries in a carefully managed setting also gave the puppies a chance to experience being around another animal.

Guide dog puppies spend their first year with a volunteer Puppy Raiser. When they’re around 12 to 14 months old, they begin their Guide Dogs training. If successful, they go on to become guide dogs, helping people with sight loss lead independent, active lives.

For more information about becoming a volunteer Puppy Raiser, visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.

Thank you to Magical Woodland for supporting Guide Dogs with their training!

[Image description 1: A young black Labrador x Golden Retriever is sat looking at the camera with their puppy raiser, with a large scary clown head in the background.
Image description 2: Aries and Jack are stood in the woods. A puppy raiser is walking past with a young German Shepherd, who is not looking at the bird.
Image description 3: Two Puppy Raisers are stood under a 'Happy Halloween' walkway entrance, with the pillars made of large skulls. Their puppies, both black Labrador x Golden Retriever, are looking at the camera.]

14/10/2026

Have you seen our new Life Unleashed advert yet?

Our latest TV advert celebrates the life-changing firsts people with sight loss are achieving every day across the UK with the support of Guide Dogs. It draws on the real-life experiences of our service users: from a woman building the confidence to return to work, to a toddler mastering her cane, to a football fan finally being able to return to the stadium he loves.

This version is audio described:

Our latest TV advert celebrates the life-changing firsts people wit...

13/10/2026

Some of our staff have been very busy over the last 18 months, successfully raising enough money to name two guide dog puppies – Riba and Eadley.

Through fairs, crafts, quizzes, sleepouts and parties, the group were able to smash their target. Riba and Eadley are named chosen in memory of after three canine members of the Guide Dogs family – Rishton, Eaton and Hadley.

Rishton was a special guide dog to Becky, who joined her in countless adventures together – campaigning in Parliament, supporting accessibility in airports, plus many speaker and fundraising events. Sadly, just six weeks after retirement, Rishton passed away.

Hadley retired young but continued raising awareness in his local community and loved his space hopper and snoozing.

Eaton didn’t quite make it as a guide dog but supported his fundraising group for over 10 years and loved a good snack (including rich tea biscuits!).

Well done to everyone involved for their collective effort in fundraising for Guide Dogs.

Name a Puppy means you get to be at the heart of a guide dog puppy’s story, and follow their journey as they aspire to become a future life-changer. Find out more on our website: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/fundraise/name-a-puppy/how-to-name-a-puppy/

[Image description 1: The group of staff are stood behind a table filled with prizes, on top of a Guide Dogs table cloth, with a black Labrador x Golden Retriever dog sat in front of the table.
Image description 2: A collage of Eaton (black Labrador x Golden Retriever), Rishton (black Labrador x Golden Retriever in his Guide Dogs harness) and Hadley (yellow Labrador).

12/10/2026

Congratulations on another new partnership - Susan and Kevin!

Susan was trained with the Liverpool Team and said: "Kevin is a great guide dog, he loves to work and has had to learn some difficult routes but he enjoys the challenge! I am so glad we were matched, he is now part of my family and my grandchildren can’t wait to meet him".

It’s thanks to Postcode Lottery players, who this year are helping to fund life-changing partnerships, that we are able to support partnerships like Susan and Kevin. Since 2018, Postcode Lottery players have raised an incredible £12.9 million, enabling Guide Dogs to help people with sight loss live the life they choose.

[Image description: Susan is stood in a living room smiling at the camera. She is holding Kevin's lead, a black Labrador x Golden Retriever, who is stood wearing his Guide Dogs harness.]

09/10/2026

Congratulations to a new partnership - Jayne and Bruno.

Jayne and Bruno were trained by the Liverpool team. Jayne said: "Bruno has given me my confidence back to go out and about more on my own. I now go in cafe's on my own, something I never did before.

"He is a beautiful handsome boy, and I love him, and could not do without him now. Thank you to all the team at Guide Dogs!"

[Image description: Jayne is stood in a garden smiling at the camera. Bruno, a yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever, is wearing his Guide Dogs harness and is sat by Jayne's side.]

07/10/2026

Guide Dogs puppies visit the Lakes Aquarium!

Puppies Kracken and Olma, who live in Cumbria with their volunteer Puppy Raisers, are learning about lots of different environments – all to prepare them for when they become a working guide dog for someone with sight loss.

The puppies got to experience all of the wonders at Lakes Aquarium, while learning to relax in an exciting new place. Thank you for having us!

[Image description 1: Kracken, a young Golden Retriever, is stood looking through a tank of fish. He is wearing his Guide Dogs 'puppy in training' bib.
Image description 2: Olma, a young yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever, is stood with her chin resting on the edge of a window which has otters behind it. She is wearing her Guide Dogs 'puppy in training' bib.]

06/10/2026

Our very own Will, a GDMS in Shrewsbury, is taking on the Chester Marathon, Half, 10K & Tri this weekend in memory of his Mum Deb 🩷

Having already completed the Chester 10k and half marathon, Will hopes to do the treble and complete the 26.2 mile distance and raise enough money to name a guide dog puppy - Deb.

You can show your support to Will by donating to his fundraising page for Guide Dogs: https://debrajames.muchloved.com/

Best of luck Will!

[Image description 1: Will with his Mum, who are both smiling to the camera.
Image description 2: Will in his Guide Dogs uniform, kneeling next to a black Labrador/Golden Retriever guide dog in training.]