International Hearing Dog Inc.
Hearing Dog
Labs, Goldens, Standard Poodles, Doodles, Mixed Breed Rescues
ADI Candidate Program
Denver Metro
Colorado located with the ability to travel to our facility for weekly training classes.
Restrictions
The organization provides:
Crate
Vest
All Equipment
Food
Vet Costs
Grooming
Monthly Preventatives
Starter Toys
Starter Treats
Raisers pay for:
Replacement equipment
Treats
Toys
Supplies & Financial
Assistance
The Basics:
House training, grooming acclimation, foundation behaviors like loose leash walking, not jumping up, crate training, socialization to people, places, and things
Basic obedience cues like name call, sit, down, stay, come heel
Advanced Cues:
Public access behavior, Self-control around distractions
All training is with the support and assistance of our training team
Training Responsibilities
Read the Puppy Raiser job description and FAQs
Fill out a Puppy Raiser application
Interview with IHDI's Volunteer Coordinator
Home visit, conducted by IHDI staff, with ALL people and pets living in the home.
Background check for all people over the age of 18 in the home ($20 paid by the volunteer)
Orientation and basic hands-on training class
Process
Weekly Class
Monthly report
Time Commitment
Dogs are typically spayed or neutered between 9 and 11 months of age.
Neuter/Spay
Harness
Martingale
Head Collars (on a case by case basis)
4-6" leashes
Training Equipment
Raisers are given a Puppy Raiser Manual as well as a manual for Cues/Games for puppies. After orientation and before accepting a dog into their home, all raisers have a hands-on dog handling session with our trainers to practice the things they'll be responsible for. Additionally, raisers are provided guidance at weekly in-person training sessions.
Training Guidance
IHDI dogs in training are housed by fosters even after their initial puppy raisers, sometimes with the same volunteer and sometimes with someone new. We are a small program so are able to be a bit flexible with our volunteers around some logistics. We appreciate if dogs are brought to our facility when it is time for them to move on to the next level, but could also arrange for pick-up. Raisers can talk to the trainer at the time of drop-off and are welcome to ask for updates as the dog progresses through training.
Matriculation
There is not currently a formal graduation for puppy raisers. IHDI does celebrate our volunteers throughout the year with thank you's and small gifts, because we couldn't do our work without you!
Puppy raisers may meet the dogs new handler at team training or graduation.
Graduation
IHDI empowers individuals who are d/Dear of hard of hearing by purposefully training specially selected dogs to alert to sounds; carefully matching these dogs with handlers who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing; and supporting the paired teams throughout the lifetime of the match.
IHDI is one of the only programs that trains only hearing dogs for people who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, uniquely serving this population.
Our dogs don't ever live in a kennel, but are in a home environment throughout their training.
Being a puppy raiser with IHDI is a way to be a part of something good for the community while learning and having fun with a group! Raisers are never on their own, as we work hard to make both our volunteers and our dogs successful.
Uniqueness
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