A.C.T.S. puppies are placed between 8 and 10 weeks of age.  We believe strongly in early education and the puppy will begin its service dog training classes by 12 weeks of age.  This puppy remains the property of A.C.T.S. and our puppy coordinator may decide to shift puppies from one raiser to another during their 2 year training period.  The puppy you start with my not be the same one you end up with.

The training of our service dogs begins with puppy behavior, manners and socialization.  Obedience skills are a big part of the training and fundamental 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 puppy you are training, you must committ to attend training classes twice a month at one of our training centers (Center Tuftonboro, NH or Fryeburg, ME), to train the puppy at home in several short sessions throughout each day, and to train the puppy in public as guided by your instructor.  In addition to bi-weekly training classes there is a once a month field trip with other puppies in training and their pupppy raisers.  You do not need prior experience in training a dog to be a puppy raiser.  Our instructors will guide you through every step of the process.  Our training methods are based on positive reinforcement and we believe that you will enjoy the experience.

For the safety of the dogs we strongly encourage you to have fenced yards.  Unless the puppy is in a fenced yard, he must be on a leash at all times.  At no time is the puppy to be allowed to run free.

*  A.C.T.S. provides a collar, leash, and a training vest.
*  A.C.T.S. will provide a crate for crate training if you do not have one already.
*  A.C.T.S. provides training classes, manuals covering training topics and a public access ID card.
*  A.C.T.S. provides heartworm preventative and flea/tick preventative.
*  A.C.T.S. will provide dog food.  If you wish to feed the puppy something other than what is provided that is fine but you will provide it at your own expense.

*  Puppy raisers provide training treats, toys, and grooming supplies.
*  Puppy raisers provide time, care, and lots of love

*  The puppy must live in the house with you.  It is important that the puppy have access to most areas of your home (even the kitchen and carpeted areas) as soon as it is prudent to do so as it will need to learn appropriate behavior in these settings.
*  You must be able to care for and socialize the puppy for a period of up to 2 years.
*  The puppy must receive an appropriate amount of physical exercise.
*  Appropriate veterinary care must be provided on a routine basis.  We appreciate the many puppy riasers that provide this care as a donation to A.C.T.S.  However A.C.T.S. will reimburse veterinary costs to puppy raisers who submit receipts from a vet designated by A.C.T.S.
*  Attendance of training classes twice a month at one of our training centers is required.
*  You must commit to train the puppy in public according to A.C.T.S. guidelines.
*  The puppy needs to be able to spend most of the day with someone in the family.  He should not be left alone for hours at a time on a regular basis.
*  Transportation to training classes, field trips, and training in public is provided by the puppy raiser.

Yes.  You will have the opportunity to meet the individual who receives the dog you trained.  Applicants for service dogs must complete 2 weeks of Team Training with their potential service dog.  At the end of the Team Training graduation is held and you have the opportunity to celebrate reaching the goal of your dog.  Some puppy raisers are able to keep in contact with the person who received their dog for all of that dog's life.  Many friendships have been formed this way.

At A.C.T.S. we place dogs not just as services dogs but also as therapy dogs, home helper dogs, etc.  If for some reason, such as health or temperament, they cannot be placed, we evaluate the situation and determine what is best for the dog.  A good home for the dog is found and the dog will be adopted for an adoption fee.  The puppy raiser will not be allowed to adopt any puppy that they have raised.

Yes.  To be honest, it is difficult to give the dog back to A.C.T.S. for placement.  However, I realize that every dog I raise and train is not really my dog.  I think it is like raising your children until they are ready to go off to college.  This is such a rewarding project.  The reward comes when you see what a difference your dog can make in someone's life... someone who is perhaps not as fortunate as you.

For more information or to receive an application call us at 603-569-9991.  Once we receive your completed application we will schedule an interview in your home.  This interview gives you a chance to ask further questions and gives us the opportunity to meet you personally.  Once you have been accepted as a puppy raiser for A.C.T.S. you will attend an orientation meeting.  This will give you the chance to hear about our training methods and meet other puppy raisers.