Join our incredible team for an amazing experience!  

Service dogs in training are raised by local volunteers and students for some of their youth prior to more intensive training as they prepare for life as a service dog. Puppy raising is a wonderful and enriching way to help others that also fills your life and home with the joy that a dog brings.

Q & As about Puppy Raising

*Please Note: This page is for non-college student puppy raisers. If you are a five-college student interested in fostering, please visit our Foster page here.

How do I get started?

Complete the Puppy Raiser & Foster Application Form by clicking here then reach out via email at contactus@diggitydogs.org for a private orientation or attend our next orientation.  If you can’t make orientation for some reason, reach out to let us know and we can organize a private orientation or Q & A session to get you started. Unsure about if you do want to puppy raise or foster yet?  Reach out and we can discuss it further.

What breeds of dogs do you work with?

We breed and train labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and some goldadors (lab x golden crosses).

How old are the dogs?

We need puppy raisers for dogs of all ages! Some are as young as eight weeks old, while others are almost two years old. We strive to find the right dog or puppy for each raiser/foster and their lifestyle!

What is the commitment required?

We always need full-time, weekend, vacation and as-available puppy raisers in our community. All levels of commitment provide very valuable experiences for the dogs and provide an important service for our non-profit org!

What happens if I start fostering and decide it isn’t the right fit for me?

No problem!  We understand and never want anyone to puppy raise/foster if it isn’t working for them too!

What happens if I become a full-time puppy raiser and need to go away?

No problem!  We can always take a dog back for planned or unexpected breaks!

What am I responsible for financially if I become a puppy raiser?

We provide everything you need for the dogs and provide for all of their needs, from their healthcare to all of their gear, a crate and toys! Short-term puppy raisers/fosters (also called “relief fosters”) are given food for the duration of the time they have the dog. Long-term (also called “full-time”) puppy raisers are responsible for the dog’s food, but we pay for everything else. For those puppy raising/long-term fostering the average cost of food is about $50 a month for a full-time dog. 

Can I puppy raise if I have other pets in my home?

Yes!  Living with other animals is great for them and they have all been raised around a lot of cats and dogs! If you have a dog in your home, we will chat about your dog first to make sure its a great fit, but even if your dog doesn’t want to engage with the puppy/dog you are fostering, we can show you how to still puppy raise without bothering your existing dog!

Can I puppy raise if I have children?

Yes!  Living with kids is so good for them! 

Do I have to take them with me everywhere?

NO!  In fact, we require that you give them regular crate time and many puppy raisers don’t do public access at all.  They simply live at home and learn to be good dogs at home!  Our dogs LOVE their crates and raisers should not be afraid to use this valuable tool.If a puppy raiser’s jobn is conducive to having a dog and they want to, they can take them to work too, but that is handled on a case-by-case basis.