Raise a Puppy and Change a Life
Have you ever seen a service dog working studiously alongside their handler in public and wonder how they learned to be so confident in any situation, reliable in their work, and keep their tail wagging, all at the same time?
Well what if we told you that it was because of someone just like you that raised that service dog since they were a puppy.
Puppy raisers open their homes and their hearts to teach a puppy the fundamentals of basic manners and house breaking, expose the puppy to positive interactions and give them a loving and enriching home during their puppy life. Being a puppy raiser is a long and challenging project but the reward of giving someone their independence, confidence and life back with a service dog that you raised will be priceless.
Check out the process and apply to see if you could raise the next generation of service dogs!
Process to become a Puppy Raiser:
- Read the Puppy Raiser job description and FAQs
- Fill out a Puppy Raiser application
- Interview with IHDI's Pup Raiser Coordinator
- Have a home visit, conducted by IHDI staff, with people and pets living in the home
- Do a background check (for serious crimes; $20 paid by the volunteer)
- Participate in our orientation and once weekly pup-raising classes to learn our positive reinforcement approach from our highly skilled trainers; we strive to accommodate schedules and locations of raisers
Expecations of a Puppy Raiser
To maximize the potential of successfully entering advanced training, the volunteer Puppy Raiser teaches the puppy basic skills, house manners, and crucial socialization by providing a nurturing and enriched upbringing. Get the full volunteer job description here.
- Provide love, support, training, socialization and an invaluable in-home experience for an IHDI puppy for 9 to 12 months.
- Provide a safe, secure, loving home with appropriate food, toys, and crate.
- Keep the puppy well-groomed and healthy.
- Teach the puppy basic skills and appropriate behavior using IHDI’s cues and techniques.
- Promote confidence in the puppy and an eagerness to work through positive reinforcement.
- Follow International Hearing Dog’s procedures and guidelines.
- Attend puppy classes once a week.
- Provide age appropriate outings and experiences for socialization.