Puppy Raiser Requirements
Learn how to become a Puppy Raiser
Our puppy raisers give the puppies rules, structure, boundaries, and guidelines of how to correctly behave in public, at home, and at the workplace. Puppy raisers also reach them how to properly engage with other animals such as cats and how to behave around children. They are required to ensure the safety of the puppy/dog at all times.
All medical care, grooming needs, food, collars, leads, toys, and bedding are provided by Pawsitive Directions so there is no out of pocket cost for our puppy raisers.
Potential Puppy Raisers are required to come into the facility for an evaluation process which includes an interview about your home life, housing situation, any potential HOA or housing rules, other animals and/or people in the home, as well as any dog training experience (which is preferred but no required). Any other dogs in the home are required to be assessed by the Pawsitive Directions team. The evaluation is then followed by an in home visit or Zoom home walk through.
If selected, our Puppy Raisers are required to undergo extensive training with us prior to taking a puppy home. This training teaches them about canine psychology, body language, correct dog on dong interaction, appropriate human interaction, the importance of proper socialization, basic training, and so much more. Once this initial training without the dog is complete and it is determined the Puppy Raiser is ready and eligible to move forward a puppy/dog is then paired with their raiser. After being paired, all Puppy Raisers are required to come into the facility for a once a week training class to continue the socialization and basic training of the potential Service Dog. Puppy Raisers are also required to fill out daily training logs and turn them in at each training session for review, this helps us ensure that the correct training at home is being done.
While in the home, the raisers teach them all their basics such as lead work, potty training, door manners, focus work, accepting handling for things such as grooming and veterinarian care. They are also taught place training, mealtime basics, crate training, verbal and hand signal cues and much more.
When the dogs are taken out into public, they are required to wear a vest with a patch that states they are in training. The raisers are also required to document some of the training via videos that are also turned into us for review.
Raisers are in charge of ensuring the puppy makes it to all vet and grooming appointments and are required to turn in all paperwork from the vet clinic and groomer.
Once their basics are in place, solidified and generalized, and socialized, the puppy will come back to us for their specific task training and remain in our care until their program in completed. When they are fully trained to fulfill their job, they will then go to their new person to begin their life as a Service Dog.
We occasionally get in a dog that is a bit older but still needs the same things a puppy needs. Many of our slightly older dogs have not had any structure or socialization in their lives but have the correct temperament and drive to fulfill the job that is being asked of them.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a puppy/dog raising home, please contact us or apply here.
Family and Friends Fill-in Program
Give our puppy raisers a much needed break
We know that when the puppy raisers take the dogs into their home, the dogs no only receive love and attention from their raiser family, but also from their family and friends. In turn the puppies learn to trust those they see frequently. When a raiser family needs to go out of town, we allow the dog to stay with a raisers family member or friend after they have been approved. This helps to ensure that the dogs daily routine and training program is not disrupted.