How to name a puppy

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What is Name a Puppy?

Name a Puppy provides you with the wonderful opportunity to be at the heart of a guide dog puppy's story. As well as providing a puppy with a special gift of a name, you’ll follow their journey as they aspire to become a future life-changer.

We have four different naming levels for you to choose from; Name, Raise, Train and Transform. Each one follows the puppy you have named on their unique journey with us, gaining insights into the world of guide dogs through regular pupdates. Some of our naming levels have the opportunity to meet the puppy you’ve named in person too!

German shepherd puppy looking at camera

Ready to start your Name a Puppy journey?

Why Name a Puppy?

For our pups: A name is an incredibly special gift. A pup’s name gives them an identity. It will be the single most important word that they’ll learn, as it’s a signal to them that says, “the next message is for you”.
For you: We’re sure you’ll eagerly anticipate the news of the puppy you’ve named and will enjoy following their progress with us. It’s an incredible fundraising achievement to be proud of!
For someone living with sight loss: Our dogs are truly life-changing. They give hope, confidence, joy, independence, freedom and companionship – to list just a few of the words that have been used to describe what our wonderful dogs can provide!

Who can name a puppy?

You could name a puppy by yourself, with a group of friends as a celebration or in memory of a loved one. Maybe you want to name a puppy as part of a workplace challenge, or are inspired to choose us as your Charity of the Year? Sporting and social groups are all welcome – as are schools and youth groups!

How to Name a Puppy:

Step one – If you want to know more, or are ready to fundraise or donate, then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch by filling in our short registration form. We can talk you through the different naming levels and find the one that’s perfect for you. We’ll make sure you have all the fundraising information and tips you need, including how to pay in the money that you raise.
Step two – Time to fundraise - have fun with your friends, family or work colleagues by fundraising your way.
Step three – Target achieved - that’s incredible! Once your donation is safely received, we’ll ask you to complete our puppy naming form.
Step four – Await the exciting news that the pup you’ve named is here – and ready to start its guide dog journey. Name a Puppy follows a real-life pup, in real time, so waiting times may vary.

Naming levels

We have four different Name a Puppy levels for you to choose from. Whichever level you choose, you’ll get exclusive insights into the world of Guide Dogs – and see how our young pups progress through their training, as they aspire to become future life-changers.

As a thank you, you’ll get the chance to gift a guide dog pup its name – and be at the heart of its lifechanging story. You can choose to receive:

A ‘My first pawtrait’ photo and birth certificate keepsake.

Bi-yearly information factsheets during training.

A final personalised ‘Thank You’ update with photo.
As a thank you, you’ll gift a guide dog pup their name and be an incredibly important part of their story. You’ll also experience a more personalised snapshot of their first year. You can choose to receive:

A ‘My first pawtrait’ photo and birth certificate keepsake.

A digital meeting to find out more about the puppy you have named.

Two personal Pupdates with photos during puppy raising.

A ‘My first year’ celebratory video montage.

Bi-yearly information factsheets during training.

A final personalised ‘Thank You’ update with photo.
As a thank you, you’ll get a truly up close and personal experience throughout the pup’s very first year. As well as gifting a name, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the puppy in person too. You can choose to receive:

A ‘My first pawtrait’ photo and birth certificate keepsake.

The pup’s family tree and parent biographies.

Exclusive access to our special Name a Puppy video tour of our National Centre.

A puppy meeting (in person or digitally) with the puppy you’ve named.

Quarterly personal Pupdates with photos during puppy raising.

A ‘My first year’ celebratory video montage.

Bi-yearly information factsheets during training.

A final personalised ‘Thank You’ update with photo.
As a thank you, you’ll receive the ultimate Name a Puppy experience. With every update personal to the pup you have named, you’ll not only find out about how they progress through training, but also the life-changing impact they’ll make. As well as gifting a guide dog pup its name, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the puppy in person too. This level will transform the life of someone with sight loss. You can choose to receive:

A ‘My first pawtrait’ photo and birth certificate keepsake.

The pup’s family tree and parent biographies.

Exclusive access to our special Name a Puppy video tour of our National Centre.

A choice of a special Guide Dogs Experience.

A puppy meeting (in person or digitally) with the puppy you’ve named.

Quarterly personal Pupdates during puppy raising.

A ‘My first year’ celebratory video montage.

Quarterly personal updates during training.

A final personalised ‘Thank You’ update with photo and a photobook keepsake.

Black puppy sat outside on the grass

Rocky's Naming Story

Yellow retriever puppy sat on the grass looking to the left