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Puppy raisers are expected to pay for all aspects of raising the dog. Some of these costs may be set off by donations, but a puppy raiser should expect to spend up to $1500 during the training period. Puppy raisers are also expected to train their puppies using basic obedience commands and to attend AGS-approved obedience classes with their puppies. At approximately 6 months of age, puppies will be tested for good behavior and maturity.
When they are completely ready, they will receive a jacket identifying them as service dogs in training. After this point, the puppy raiser is expected to allow the jacketed-dog to accompany him/her to work or school and into other public places such as restaurants, grocery stores, banks, etc. The idea is to expose the puppy to as many different people, places, and situations as possible. If at any point during its training the puppy experiences behavior problems, the puppy raiser is expected to work to correct these problems before they become insurmountable. Finally, the puppy raiser is expected to love the pup unconditionally, and then (perhaps the hardest of all his/her jobs) return the dog to AGS for it to continue its training to become a working service dog.
AGS carefully selects its puppy raisers. Puppy raisers must have enough money and enough time to successfully raise and train a rapidly growing and learning puppy. Additionally, puppy raisers must be able and willing to allow their puppies to accompany them to work or school and into all kinds of public places. Puppy raisers also act as educational tools for AGS. Thus, each puppy raiser must be willing and able to educate the public about his/her dog and the service dog community. Potential puppy raisers go through a rigorous application/interview procedure to ensure they will be able to meet each of these requirements.
When a new puppy is added to the program, a puppy raiser is chosen from the pool of applicants who have completed their application process and who have been interviewed by the Puppy Raiser Supervisor. Since only a few puppies are added at a time, new puppy raisers may not necessarily get a puppy as soon as they become eligible for one.
AGS puppies are carefully selected using temperament tests designed to pick stable, confident puppies. However, a pup isn't born ready to go into service dog phase 2 training. Working service dogs come into contact with many types of people and must be able to work consistently with their partners in all kinds of situations, even situations that would be frightening to the average pet dog. Each puppy must be carefully reared and socialized to ensure the pup grows into a well behaved dog and does not develop fears of any situation. By exposing the puppy to many kinds of sights, sounds, and smells while it is young, AGS puppy raisers work to make sure the puppy learns to overcome fears and grow into a well behaved, confident dog that is ready to proceed through phase 2 training and become someone's eyes, ears, or hands.
Many of our puppies are donated by local breeders. These dogs are required to pass the temperament test and medical screenings, but must also have medically-sound pedigrees. These puppies may be pure or mixed bred dogs, but all must pass temperament tests and medical screenings before being included in the program. All dogs are obedience trained and socialized in the same way, regardless of origin.
The short answer is no. Because of our limited numbers, we are not able to take in all dogs that are offered. Most strays that are found are too old to begin training. Also, because there is no way to know the pedigree of a stray, there is a strong chance that health problems will effect their ability to become a service dog.
No. AGS only trains puppies during the first phase of training. We are not in a position to do the final, specialized training for our dogs. After phase one training has been completed successfully, our dogs are donated to national organizations that are better equipped to handle specialized training. Our Links page includes several of these organizations.
At approximately 12-18 months of age, puppies are temperament tested and tested in obedience proficiency. At this point in time, several alternatives are possible for the dog:
A coverletter and resume are made for the dog, and will be sent to several nationally-recognized service dog organizations. When an organization accepts the dog, he will be donated to them to continue in phase 2 training.
If the dog does not pass the temperament and obedience test:
*The dog will be "career-changed" to V.I.P. (Very Important Pet) and will be retired from service-dog training.
* The puppy raisers will be given the option of adopting the dog as a pet or as a Therapy Dog.
* If not accepted by the puppy raisers, the dog will be offered back to his donor (if donated by a breeder), to a local family with a disabled child (a family that might not qualify for a service dog, but could use a companion dog for their child) or to a local institution looking for a resident Therapy Dog.
* If not placed by the above two options, the dog will be adopted out to a local family who is looking for a well-mannered, well-behaved pet.