What is a foster home trainer?

Foster home trainers are the volunteers who agree to raise, socialize, train, and love the dogs we bring into our program as potential service dogs. Foster homes train our service dog candidates in all the skills they will need for careers as service dogs. Weekly attendance of training classes at Helping Paws training facility in Hopkins, MN is required. Family members may participate in the training process; however, one family member should be designated as the primary trainer. Primary trainers must be 18 years or older. We are proud of our dedicated foster home trainers, who are the backbone of Helping Paws.

What is a service dog?

A service dog is trained to assist an individual with a physical disability (other than loss of vision or loss of hearing) by performing such tasks as retrieving dropped objects, opening doors, getting items that are hard to reach, turning lights on or off, and a variety of other tasks assist in daily living. In addition, and oftentimes of equal importance, a service dog provides love and companionship on a daily basis.

Where do potential service dog candidates come from and what breeds are used?

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are used in our program due to their size, natural retrieving instinct and their strong desire to work for and please people. Puppies from the Helping Paws breeding program are placed with foster home trainers. Prior to breeding, our sires and dams must pass genetic clearances to lessen the likelihood of a puppy developing a physical problem that would prevent its work as a service dog.

How old are puppies when they are placed in foster homes?

Helping Paws puppies are placed in foster homes between 7 - 12 weeks of age. We believe strongly in early education and the puppy will begin its service dog training classes by 12 weeks of age. As a foster home trainer, you must be able to accommodate the exercise and elimination needs of a dog. Special accommodation must be made when the puppy is 2 - 6 months old so that the puppy's needs are taken care of during the day.

What is involved in the training process?

The training of Helping Paws service dogs begins with puppy behavior, manners and socialization. Socialization involves exposing the puppy to a variety of experiences and public situations on a frequent basis, a process that will be guided by your instructor. Obedience skills, though not always the most fun skills to train, are a big part of the training and fundamental to the success of a service dog. In addition, many specialized service dog skills are also taught.
In order to achieve this set of skills with the puppies, foster home trainers must commit to:

• attending weekly training classes at our Training Center in Hopkins, Minnesota
• training the puppy at home in several short sessions throughout each day
• training the puppy in public as guided by your instructor

Prior dog training experience is not necessary. Our instructors will guide you through the process every week, teaching you how to train the dog you are fostering for service. Our training methods are based on positive reinforcement, and we believe that you will truly enjoy the experience.

Can I take the puppy with me wherever I go?

It is a common misconception that Helping Paws puppies can go everywhere with their trainers. Training in public with a Helping Paws puppy will be guided by your instructor. You will receive a "puppy passport" that will detail acceptable public training locations according to the puppy's age and skill level.

Acceptable locations for training in public begin with pet supply stores, veterinary clinics, parks, and similar locations where all pet dogs are also allowed access. Additional locations will be added as the puppy matures and learns more skills. Eventually, as the Helping Paws dog reaches maturity and acquires more skills, public training will become part of your weekly training routine.

Do I need a fenced yard?

For the safety of our dogs, we strongly encourage our foster home trainers to have fenced yards. Acceptance of a foster home trainer without a fenced yard is done on a case-by-case basis.

How much exercise do the dogs require?

Active puppies need physical activity in the form of play or walking. Foster home trainers should expect to provide at least 25-40 minutes of exercise per day. This could be accomplished by brisk walking or playing in a safe, fenced area for example. Please understand that for young dogs under one year, bones are still forming. Running the dog along side you while you run, jog, bike, etc. is not appropriate for young dogs. Rollerblading with the dogs is not allowed.

What equipment or supplies does Helping Paws provide?

• Helping Paws provides a Gentle Leader, a training pack and a crate for crate training.
• Helping Paws provides training classes, reference manuals that cover medical and training topics and a "puppy passport" and ID card for training in public locations.
• Puppies are microchipped prior to placement. Helping Paws also provides heartworm screening, heartworm preventative, hip evaluations and eye exams at no cost to foster home trainers.

What does the foster home trainer provide?

• Foster home trainers provide a premium brand of dog food designated by Helping Paws.
• Foster home trainers provide a buckle collar with ID tag, training leash, flexi lead, car harness or seatbelt, dog toys and treats.
• Foster home trainers provide appropriate veterinary care on a routine basis. We appreciate the many foster home trainers that provide this care as a donation to Helping Paws. However, Helping Paws will reimburse veterinary costs to foster home trainers who submit receipts.

What are the responsibilities of a foster home trainer?

• The puppy must live in the house with you. It is important that the puppy has access to most areas of your home (even the kitchen and carpeted areas) as it will need to learn appropriate behavior in these settings.
• Foster home trainers must be able to care for and socialize a foster puppy for a period of up to 2½ years.
• The puppy must be taught to eliminate both on and off leash.
• The puppy must receive an appropriate amount of physical activity/exercise.
• Foster home trainers provide appropriate veterinary care on a routine basis.
• Foster home trainers and puppies are required to attend weekly training classes at our Training Center in Hopkins, Minnesota.
• Foster home trainers must commit to train the puppy according to Helping Paws curriculum by working in several short training sessions throughout the day.
• Foster home trainers must commit to train the puppy in public according to Helping Paws guidelines.
• Foster home trainers provide transportation to training classes, field trips and training in public.
• Foster home trainers are expected to participate in public relation events and public education demonstrations.

Who takes care of the dog if I go out of town?

Helping Paws will provide foster home trainers with temporary care for the dog while you are on vacation. Usually another foster home trainer will care for the dog. We like our puppies to become accustomed to new experiences and occasionally will ask foster home trainers to exchange puppies for a week or two. Periodically each dog is assessed by staff and/or a trained volunteer evaluator at which time the dog you are training will stay at their home.

Will I get to meet the individual who receives the dog I train?

Yes, at the time of placement, you will have the opportunity to meet the individual who receives the dog you trained. Applicants for service dogs must complete three weeks of Team Training with their potential service dog. At the end of Team Training, graduation is held. This is a time to celebrate reaching the goal of placement as a service dog.

What if the dog is not placed as a service dog?

Sometimes dogs in training can not be placed as service dogs due to reasons such as health or temperament. In the event that a dog needs a career change, Helping Paws staff will evaluate the situation and determine what is best for the dog. Depending on individual circumstances, the foster home will be given consideration if they wish to adopt the dog.