Bucks the dog is destined for big things. The six-month-old Labrador is in training to become a seeing-eye dog and is getting the royal treatment from her carers, Hoppers Crossing couple Marilyn and David Scott.
The pair, who have kept dogs most of their lives, decided to become puppy carers for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) after their german short-haired pointer died two years ago.
The couple, who were assigned to Bucks when she was 10 weeks old, are tasked with giving the dogs in their care basic house and toilet-training and teaching them to socialise.
They will look after Bucks until she’s about a year to 15 months old when she will be eligible to go on to the next part of her training.
“We love dogs and by becoming puppy minders we enjoy the company of a lovely dog and we’re giving something back to the community at minimal cost to ourselves,” Mr Scott said.
“When Bucks does something good in training, you get a hell of a kick out of that.
“As someone put to us, we’re the primary school teachers.”
Mrs Scott adds: “We take them up to university standard.
“We’re guided into a number of steps where they really need to be very, very comfortable and competent by the time they’re six to 12 months old.
“There are certain standards they need to reach and I believe Bucks is a very intelligent little pup.”
SEDA is on the lookout for more puppy carers in Wyndham and will hold a community information session at the Saltwater Community Centre next Monday, July 18, from 1-2pm.
Call 1800 037 773 or click here for more details.
