Help us train Keano to be a legend!

Keano has been busy in his second week of training. He's been out for his first training walks and doing some clicker training. Time was also spent with his training pack - Iroko, Kendal and Kylie. His week ended with a surprise visit from an old pal - Roy Keane! Keano has grown quite a bit since Roy first met him and held him in his arms.

The day has finally arrived for Keano to head to the Training Centre to begin formal training. It's an emotional goodbye for Puppy Raiser Clare and her family who have done an amazing job with Keano, but they can be assured that their dedication will ultimately have a life-changing impact on someone's life. Keep an eye on this page to see how he progresses.

Keano will soon be heading back to our Training Centre to start formal training. Puppy Raiser Clare says; "We aren't looking forward to handing Keano back. He’s been such fun and is so full of energy. He has an amazing personality. He is great in shops, loves his walks and free runs...loves his food (his favourite are carrots and chicken). He’s a big water baby. The whole family is going to miss Keano so much - he’s been just a pleasure to have. We've loved every second of it."

At 13 months of age, Keano is working on increasing his engagement and focus in busier environments. He is walking really well with the support of a head collar, which is an excellent training tool to help with teaching dogs to walk nicely on a leash.

Keano is getting ready for this first Christmas. He has progressed so well. Puppy Raiser Clare says nothing fazes him; he's very good in shops despite all the decorations, trees and crowds.

Plenty of exercise is required to keep Keano healthy but it's also an important part of his training - walking in different environments, amongst different sounds and potential distractions.

During a free run, Keano decides to become one with nature by coating himself in mud. Clare is relieved that Keano loves being washed!

Keano has a play date with fellow Puppy in Training Figaro. “All work and no play…..” applies to our pups in training too. It is important to have balance between physical activity, cognitive activity and rest. Offering a few playdates per week is a great way to get some energy out, build social skills and have fun.

Poor Keano cut his paw whilst out walking. Most dogs hate the vets, therefore it's important to train a pup to have a positive experience so they are not anxious. Clare made sure she gave Keano lots of positive associations e.g. yummy treats. After only a couple of days rest he was up running about as normal!

The goal of puppy raising is to train the puppy to become well-mannered and socialised. At 36 weeks Keano is on track in his journey to become a Guide Dog or Assistance Dog. Here he is being so well-behaved whilst attending mass in Naas Church.

Keano has a playdate with his sister Kylie and another pal whom Keano manages to jump over! Regular free runs are essential throughout a dog's working life - allowing them time out of harness and downtime from the responsibility of keeping their owner safe.

Pups are curious about everything and free runs are a great opportunity to widen their world. On his free run, Keano is confused about an item he hadn't seen before. He might need some dribbling lessons from an expert. Think we might know someone who can help!

Keano has sneaked off for a snooze on the sofa...which is not allowed. Rather than startle him whilst he is still sleepy, Clare will instead gently reinforce over time that sleeping on the sofa is not acceptable. It can be a hazard for a vision impaired person or simply just not liked in someone's home.

Another weekend spent racing. Not a bother on Keano - totally chilled! As always, Puppy Raiser Clare will be looking for signs of stress and will remove Keano from the environment, if necessary.

Keano takes a trip to the beach. Digging in the sand and dipping his paws in the sea for the first time. He's loving it.

Keano tries a lift for the first time. He's very curious but quite relaxed. His future Guide Dog owner or Assistance Dog owner will have great freedom knowing Keano can navigate different aspects of everyday life.

A play date with sister Kylie. Playdates are a great way to work on recalls as the pup would surely rather play with their buddy than return to their human. What better way to teach Keano that if he returns to Clare, his reward is to play again.

Keano’s first visit to the hairdressers. Once again experiencing normal every day life.

As part of Keano’s training, he needs to be accustomed to the sounds of city and country life – he could be matched with someone anywhere in the country.

Puppy Raiser Clare’s son is a huge racing fan. Here Keano, aged 17 weeks, visits Kirkistown track and is totally chilled out despite the noise of the engines.

Keano loves the car. The ability to comfortably travel in a car will help Keano bring more independence to whomever he is matched with.

A St. Patrick’s Day parade would have been too overstimulating for Keano at his age, so a quieter walk down the canal was the better option for his training.

Time for Keano to sniff about and enjoy the spring daffodils. Allowing Keano to investigate the world around him is a crucial part of the training process. It gives Clare, his Puppy Raiser, information on what he may or may not be comfortable with.

Keano has received his second vaccination so is now able to take his first trip outdoors, fashionably attired in his Brendan Courtney designed bandana!