How to be a SDiT Trainer/Raiser!

Expectations of MobilityDog Puppy Trainer/Raisers

MobilityDog Puppy Trainers/Raisers play a vital role in developing energetic, curious puppies into mature, dependable MobilityDogs. The expectations below outline the standards Puppy Trainers/Raisers work toward while raising and training a MobilityDog-in-Training.

A. Promote Excellent Manners
Puppy Trainers/Raisers consistently reinforce good house manners. Puppies are expected to be reliably housebroken, calm indoors, non-destructive, quiet when appropriate, and to eat only their assigned food.

B. Commit to Foundational Training
Puppy Trainer/Raisers ensure puppies complete the required foundational training, including:

• Basic Dog Obedience

• Canine Good Citizenship

• Dog Etiquette Training

• Public Access and Behavior Evaluation

These benchmarks prepare the puppy for advanced MobilityDog training.

C. Provide Broad Socialization
Puppy Trainers/Raisers thoughtfully expose puppies to a wide range of people, environments, sounds, surfaces, and experiences, guiding them to accept new situations calmly and confidently.

D. Support Travel Readiness
Puppy Trainers/Raisers help puppies become relaxed and comfortable traveling in various modes of transportation, including cars, vans, buses, trains, airplanes, ferries, and other conveyances as appropriate.

E. Foster Positive Human Relationships
Puppy Trainers/Raisers encourage appropriate bonding with people, reinforce responsiveness to verbal praise, and cultivate a willingness to work cooperatively while maintaining polite public behavior.

F. Encourage Appropriate Animal Interactions
Puppy Trainers/Raisers guide puppies to remain calm, neutral, and appropriate around other animals, including dogs, cats, birds, livestock, and animals encountered in daily life.

G. Build Responsiveness and Reliability
Puppy Trainers/Raisers consistently practice cues and commands, supporting cooperative behavior during training exercises, public access work, and routine handling.

H. Uphold Ethical Care Standards
Puppy Trainers/Raisers agree to read, understand, and honor MobilityDog’s Basic Fundamental Rights, ensuring each puppy’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being at all times.

We are building a community of SDiT Trainers/Raisers united by the shared goal of raising healthy, well-mannered puppies prepared to become part of a successful working service dog team.

Under the guidance of MobilityDog’s Service Dog Trainers, our volunteer Co-Puppy Raisers/Trainers (SDiT Team) introduce Service Dogs-in-Training to the world through kindness, consistency, and structured experiences. Over approximately 22 months, they provide foundational obedience, intentional socialization, and early task foundations through weekly virtual meetings, monthly in-person sessions, and required classes. A happy SDiT becomes a successful Service Dog.