Steps to Becoming a Puppy Raiser

  1. Submit an online application

  2. Attend a SDV Puppy Raiser Class

  3. Schedule a home visit with SDV staff

  4. Receive a puppy!

Puppy Raisers

What is a Puppy Raiser?

Volunteer Puppy Raisers are dedicated volunteers who take our service pups in training into their homes and look after them for 12 to 16 months*, working on critical socialization and basic obedience. Every hour spent on these tasks is crucial in developing these puppies into future service dogs. Participating in our puppy raising program offers volunteers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly towards our mission.

Before receiving a puppy, volunteers must attend a Puppy Raising Class that will show them how to socialize, train, and create a solid foundation in a puppy. Once Puppy Raisers receives a puppy, they must attend weekly or biweekly training classes at our facility or other designated location in public.

*We can often accommodate shorter periods of time if necessary

See “Puppy Raising Questions” at the bottom of this page for FAQs.

Puppy Raising Questions

  • For Puppy Raisers, you will attend weekly training classes at our Training Center or another location, train the puppy at home in several short sessions throughout each day, and train the puppy in public as guided by SDV and the weekly lessons. We will guide you through the process every week, teaching you how to train your puppy.

  • The primary puppy raiser must be an adult 18 years of age or older. However, minors are allowed to raise with an adult living in the same home. Note: Puppies can’t attend school with children in the household.

  • It’s imperative to the puppy’s development that supervision and socialization are provided throughout every day. Puppy raisers must have prior approval to bring the puppy to the workplace.

  • Each puppy raiser goes through an orientation process and is given a manual, puppy starter kit, puppy classes and online resources. We also provide ongoing staff support to each puppy raiser via phone, e-mail or in-person follow-up.

  • The puppy is between 8 weeks- 4 months of age.

  • Typically dogs begin advanced training when they turned 1. Some dogs may start advanced training as late as 15 months.