RAISE A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING

Becoming a Puppy Raiser is extremely rewarding and requires no prior experience!

Puppy Raisers are volunteer trainers that raise service dogs in training in their home and in public until they are 10-18 months old.  At this age, they will become ready to enter advanced task training and then be placed as a service dog. Puppy raisers help with manners, socialization, and basic obedience training. 

Nexus Trails covers the costs of veterinary care, basic supplies, and dog food. 

 Level 1: Raise puppies as a volunteer apprentice while working very regularly with a Nexus Trails trainer to learn how to raise a service dog the Nexus Trails way. Our trainers teach our apprentices basic obedience, manners, and socialization along with the laws and guidelines of service dogs in training (SDiT's) and their handlers. These sessions start out at 1-2 times weekly for the first few weeks, and gradually change to 1-2 times monthly as the puppy matures. All of our Puppy Raisers start out as volunteers at level 1.

Level 2:  Volunteer trainers that have worked with our trainers long enough to show they are able to raise and train our puppies more independently. They understand how to train basic obedience and properly  socialize puppies, but may need help from time to time with certain situations or training issues. Level 2 training sessions are less frequent and cover more specific needs and training issues. 

Our level 2 Puppy Raisers are given a small monthly stipend in return for their skilled services working with our puppies.  

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be located within two (2) hours of Xenia, OH
• Must complete an in-person orientation and training process
• Must own or have reliable access to a vehicle and have access to travel to Xenia, Beavercreek, Centerville, and/or closely surrounding areas in Ohio for scheduled appointments and regular sessions with our trainers.
• Must be able to commit time to regular training and at least 3 socialization experiences per week with the puppy.
• Specific physical ability and cognitive capacity to raise and train a puppy and spend considerable amounts of time in public places.