Name a Puppy

The adventure’s just beginning. Gift a Canine Partners puppy their name, and support their care in those vital early months as they grow and learn about the world.

You’ll receive:

• A birth certificate
• A pupdate with photos during puppy training
• An update when your pup moves to assistance dog training
• A final placement update when your pup is matched with their partner

Be at the heart of your puppy’s first year. Your support will help provide all their early care and training, as they learn the core skills that set them up for life as an assistance dog. As well as gifting a name, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the puppy in person.

You’ll receive:

• A birth certificate
• Two pupdates with photos during puppy training
• A puppy meeting (in person or by video call) with the puppy you’ve named
• An update when your puppy moves to assistance dog training
• A final placement update when your puppy is matched with their partner

A personalised experience throughout your puppy’s training journey. From puppy training at home to assistance dog training with our expert team, follow as we choose their canine career and carefully match them with their partner. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the puppy in person twice during training.

You’ll receive:

• A birth certificate

• Four pupdates with photos during puppy training
• A puppy meeting (in person or by video call) with the puppy you’ve named
• An update when your puppy moves to assistance dog training
• A private tour of our National Training Centre in Leicestershire and an opportunity to see your puppy during assistance dog training
• A final placement update when your puppy is matched with their partner

The complete Name a Puppy experience. Through every personalised update, you’ll get to know more about your puppy, the expert training they follow, and the incredible ways they’ll support a disabled person to live life to the full. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the puppy in person several times too.

You’ll receive:

• A birth certificate
• Four pupdates with photos during puppy training
•  A puppy meeting (in person or by video call) with the puppy you’ve named
• Two updates when your puppy moves to assistance dog training
• A private tour of our National Training Centre in Leicestershire and an opportunity to see your puppy when it is in assistance dog training 
• A final placement update when your puppy is matched with their partner
• An opportunity to meet (in person or by video call) the person we’ve carefully matched with your dog

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your name. We’re here to help if you’re not sure whether your suggestions are suitable.

The best assistance dog puppy names are:

• Two syllables. This helps to make training cues quick and attention-grabbing.
• A different sound to training commands. By avoiding rhymes or similar sounds in names, you can help trainers and partners to communicate clearly with their dog.
• New to Canine Partners. Sorry, we’re unable to have two dogs with the same name who are both in training or partnered. 
• Clear and easy to say. We love creativity and unusual suggestions, but please think about the trainers and partners who will use the name every day.
• Gender neutral, or both male and female suggestions. We won’t know the number of male and female puppies in a litter until they’re born. If you only suggest a male or female name, it may take us longer to give your name to a puppy.

Sometimes, a name’s suggested that we can’t use. If that happens, we’ll be in touch to talk through your ideas and ask for some new suggestions.

You’ll be naming and supporting a puppy’s journey in real-time, so we’re sorry it’s not possible to choose your favourite breed or colour of dog.

Whichever puppy you name, you’ll receive exclusive updates on their progress – and puppy photos you’re sure to love.

We usually name our puppies when they are around 6 weeks old.

The waiting time to name a puppy after you’ve met your fundraising target will depend how many puppies are born throughout the year.

We’re working with natural cycles and varying (and surprising!) litter sizes, so we appreciate your patience.

Remember, you’re on the exciting journey of naming a real-life puppy, and following their progress in real time.

Yes! If you choose the Train, Match, or Partner levels, you can meet your puppy in person – or via a video call if you prefer.

If you would like to meet your puppy in person, you may need to travel to meet us in a suitable place.

We wait for the puppy to be ready before we plan your visit. This means they’re settled in their training, comfortable travelling, and at least 17 weeks old.

Here are the opportunities you’ll have to meet your puppy at each naming level:

Train

• A puppy meeting (in person or by video call) with the puppy you’ve named

Match

• A puppy meeting (in person or by video call) with the puppy you’ve named

• A private tour of our National Training Centre in Leicestershire and an opportunity to see your puppy during assistance dog training [hyperlink to NTC page]

Partner

• A puppy meeting (in person or by video call) with the puppy you’ve named
• A private tour of our National Training Centre in Leicestershire and an opportunity to see your puppy during assistance dog training [hyperlink to NTC page]
• An opportunity to meet (in person or by video call) the person we’ve carefully matched with your dog

Even with an expert breeding programme, it’s difficult to predict what the future holds for a young puppy.

Your puppy could take on one of five careers with Canine Partners: 

• Canine partners support both in and outside of the home, providing practical support with everyday tasks and helping them navigate the world.
• Canine home assistants provide vital support for their partners at home, from calling for help in an emergency, to unloading the washing machine, and assisting them to dress and undress.
• Canine companions give essential emotional support to their partners, helping reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Ambassador dogs help raise awareness and funds for our charity. They attend events and take part in filming and photo opportunities.
• Brood dogs are all about the future, becoming mothers for the next generation of life-changing puppies.

Even though our success rate is high, for some dogs our roles aren’t the best fit for their future.

Our dogs’ welfare and wellbeing always comes first. On the rare occasion one of these roles isn’t right for them, we will find them a permanent home with a loving family.