Puppy Raising
What is a Puppy Raiser?
Puppy Raisers are the individuals primarily responsible for the care of a Canine Companions puppy during their time in the puppy-raising program. Puppy raisers receive the puppy at 8 weeks of age, and are responsible for all training and socialization prior to the puppy's return to California for Professional Training after about a year and a half. Puppy Raising is a volunteer role, and Raisers are fully financially responsible for vet expenses, food, and preventatives, although Collar Scholars works to assist with these expenses.
How do I become a Puppy Raiser?
Puppy Raiser applications will be accepted on a cyclical basis with a two-week period in which applications are open each semester. The Fall Cycle applications will open around early October to get a puppy over Winter Break, and the Spring Cycle applications will open around mid-March to get a puppy over Summer Break.
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During each two-week application cycle, individuals meeting the prerequisite requirements (see below) will be invited to fill out a comprehensive written application.
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Club raisers are required to attend at a minimum all club puppy classes, as well as as many club events as possible. Puppy raisers are responsible for their own puppy classes over breaks.
Cycle Prerequisites:
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Complete the Raiser Interest Form.
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Be a certified puppy sitter
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Cannot be a first-year when you receive a puppy
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May apply in the Spring Cycle of freshman year to get puppy summer after freshman year
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Must be able to have the puppy on campus for at minimum 2 full semesters
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Seniors must receive a puppy before the first semester of senior year
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Exceptions may be made for prison “finishing” or dogs that will be fully vaccinated for the entirety of their time on campus.
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Must live in approved housing
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Puppies may not live in dorms
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Please reach out to the club for a list of approved housing
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Must puppy sit for 35 hours
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To be invited to complete the comprehensive written application, you must be at 25 hours by the start of the respective cycle.
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Tracking will be completed by the President and Puppy Sitter Coordinator based on hours on the Sitter Log.
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Must be at 60% attendance for the semester of the application cycle and all semesters until you receive the puppy.
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Please email ccicollarscholars@gmail.com if you have a conflict and need to be excused from a meeting.
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Written Application:
If a raiser candidate meets all prerequisites prior to the cycle beginning, they will be invited to fill out a written application. This application is about 20 questions designed to be longer response. This application is to be completed within the two-week application cycle period. ​
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Interview Week:
Following the Written Application, candidates will be invited to an Interview Week. There will be two required portions of this week, plus one optional component.
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Each candidate will be interviewed by the Officer Team. There will be set questions for all applicants, and the Officers will also be allowed to ask any additional questions they may have regarding a candidate’s application.
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A handling demonstration, during which each candidate will be asked to demonstrate a set of handling tasks.
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Coraising Interview - individuals primarily hoping to co-raise will interview as a co-raising team to discuss division of raising responsibilities.
After Interview Day:
Following Interview Day, Officers will determine which raisers we are able to offer spots to. The number of spots we have available will depend on pantry resources, financial situation, and sitter availability. We will send chosen raisers to Canine Companions to begin their application process.
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Considerations:
Many factors go into the decision of who will be a good candidate to puppy raise. A few things that are considered are:
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Amount of time left at CSU
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Commitment to club attendance
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Commitment to puppy sitting
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Consistent demonstration of safety and trustworthiness while sitting
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Communication with Puppy Raisers and Officer team
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All components of the application (written, interview, handling)