Puppy Raisers

Puppy raisers are another important part of NLMAD. We occasionally accept one or two special puppies into the program. However, puppies need to grow up in a family type setting where they will receive lots of handling and playtime, as well as beginning basic obedience training. So we find foster homes for the little guys to grow up in.

Puppy raisers are special people who agree to take and raise a puppy until it is a year old, then return it to our facility to begin formal assistance dog training.

Puppy raisers agree to provide proper nutrition, water, shelter, and attention. The puppy must live indoors and become integrated into the family. The puppy raiser is responsible for the cost of food, veterinary care, and supplies necessary to the puppy's overall health. Another duty of the puppy raiser is to housebreak the puppy. Puppyhood is the time to housebreak a dog!

Puppy raisers teach basic obedience, which includes but is not limited to SIT, DOWN, STAY, COME and HEEL. Puppy homes will receive pointers on training from our staff. There will be monthly evaluations. If progress is slow or if problems arise, weekly training sessions may be required or requested.

One of the most important tasks of the puppy home is to provide proper socialization to the puppy.

Puppies are provided with a puppy cape to wear in public. The puppy must be exposed to other dogs, cats, birds, children, lots of different people, heavy traffic, loud noises, and different sounds. The puppy must be socialized to as many places, people, and things as possible. A community college track is a great place to start. Once you can count on the puppy not having potty accidents, you may start taking it into the mall and work your way up to busy shopping centers, grocery stores, events, etc.

How do you raise a pup to be an assistance dog? Jim and Sue Taylor are raising Phoebe, a Golden Retriever. We'll show you how they do it, with photos and comments from Jim, in

The Golden Tails of Phoebe

If you are interested in being a puppy raiser, fill out and mail the puppy raiser application. We will contact you with more information, to answer questions, and to do an informal phone interview. Then if you're accepted, we will keep your application on file for an available puppy.

We have had several puppy homes raise puppies in memory and in honor of a loved one.