Community Puppy Raising Program
Community puppy homes are a key element of CPL’s program and they devote a huge amount of time, patience and dedication. Puppy homes are responsible for raising the puppy in accordance with all CPL policies and procedures, including housebreaking, crate training, vet visits, reinforcing good manners, teaching basic obedience commands, and socializing the puppy in public locations every day. Puppy homes are also required to attend at least two puppy training classes per month (held at CPL).
We ask volunteers to train and socialize puppies during the ages of 2–6 months. At that time, CPL staff will evaluate the puppy’s progress and environment in regards to when and where the puppy will transition. CPL may ask for puppies to remain in community homes if we feel it would be in the best interest of the puppy, but the majority of puppies will move into our Prison Puppy Raising Program at the age of 6 months. Puppies will remain in prison to continue their training and socializing during the ages of 7–14 months, and until they are ready to begin their last stage of training at the CPL campus. Puppies may also be moved between community homes or prison facilities as we feel will benefit each puppy’s progress. For this volunteer role, individuals under the age of 18 must have an adult in the home trained as well.
There is also the option of becoming a temporary puppy home. These volunteers provide back-up support for our full-time puppy homes. A puppy home may need someone else to care for their puppy due to a travel commitment, illness, or other conflict. In addition, we sometimes need volunteers to provide short term care for CPL puppies being raised in our Prison Puppy Raising Program. The time frame can be as short as overnight or as long as several weeks, depending on the individual situation. Temporary puppy homes are expected to continue the puppy’s training and socialization schedule while caring for the puppy in their home and to attend puppy classes in the event of a longer stay. It is a great way to experience the rewards of puppy raising and make a significant contribution to CPL without making the full-time commitment.
If you are interested in becoming a community puppy home or a temporary puppy home, please fill out the volunteer application below.