Organisation: Canine Partners

Location: Ideally with-in 45 minutes’ drive of MK40 post code (Bedford), DE post code (Derby), RG22 4NJ, RG27 0SR, GU10 4EG, GU9 8LR postcode (East Berkshire), HU16 postcode (Hull), LE4 post code (Leics & Notts), NG24 post code (Newark), PO20 0LG, PO20 2HG postcode (South Hampshire), B74 post code (Staffordshire & West Midlands), RG20 6 post code (West Berkshire), RH16 3PD, RH16 1LT postcode (West Sussex)

Hours: Full-time (see description)

Remuneration: Unpaid, expenses reimbursed

Description: What is involved

We consider this a full time volunteer role as the puppy / dog will live with you from 8 weeks old until it is ready to progress into advanced training. This is between 14 to 18 months old.

* Be available for and attend training session that will involve:
home visits
* virtual online training
* one-to-ones
* regular group puppy training classes
* Regular visits within your local community to various environments to expose the puppy to the following conditions in order to socialise them: busy town environments, car travel, public transport, children, cats, other dogs (different breeds), and other domestic animals
* With our guidance, support and advice from our expert trainers, they will teach you the fundamentals of puppy socialisation as well as simple commands and exercises. For example:
* Home behaviour
* Social behaviour
* Walking on a lead
* Off lead exercise
* General obedience
* Maintaining the dog’s health and welfare and, via support and training, to recognise behaviour/health concerns and report them immediately to your Canine Partners trainer

What we require from you

* The primary puppy volunteer must be 18 years or over
* Reside in a house/bungalow/ground floor flat with a dog friendly secure garden (non-shared), with a designated dog toileting area (this will be discussed during interview)
* If you are a dog owner, you can have two pet dogs of suitable temperament. Your pet dogs will be assessed as part of the home assessment. They must be over 18 months of age
* At home for most of the day and live within 45 minutes of the requested location
* Time to provide the puppy with the socialisation and education it needs to prepare for advanced training
* Stamina to manage a young active puppy / dog
* Access to own transport to travel to classes and training locations on a regular basis
* Understand that the dog in your care remains under the ownership of Canine Partners

Support and Training

* Induction process which includes submitting of information form, telephone interview, home visit, training and handling sessions
* Each volunteer is allocated a Canine Partners trainer as their first point of contact
* Receive regular training, resources and other important information via your trainer, this may be in the format of physical copies, digital or in person
* No previous dog ownership experience is needed but you must meet the criteria listed above to be considered
* Holiday cover arranged
* Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a training session with a Canine Partner representative
* Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

Application details: https://caninepartners.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/puppy-parents/#readytoapplyar

Website Link: Find out more at: https://caninepartners.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/puppy-parents/