Pup'prentice Project

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What is the Pup’prentice Project?

The Pup’prentice Project is a program established to prepare people wishing to volunteer with their puppy as a therapy dog team.

It is our hope that the people in the Pup’prentice Project will train and prepare their puppy to be a great family dog and give back to the community as a therapy dog team by volunteering with programs such as Reading with Rover. While enrolled in the Pup’prentice Project your puppy will wear a training vest and train in public places. You will have a Pup’prentice Project badge identifying you and your puppy as a registered Pup’prentice Project team members. The Pup’prentice Project is a three month commitment during which you will meet up with your Pup’prentice Project manager several times each month. You will receive continued email training support and additional hands-on support from your Pup’prentice Project manager during field trips. Some of your field trips will be in public areas such as malls, nursing homes or fire stations. In addition to field trips you will attend monthly Pup’prentice Project meetings where you will practice the various elements of the therapy test with your Pup’prentice Project manager.

We started our puppy, Jett, in the Pup’prentice Project when he was 6 months old. We are hoping for him to be a therapy dog like our other dog, Si. We plan to take them both to Reading with Rover. As teachers, we have experienced the benefits of the Reading with Rover program. The Pup’prentice Project has been a fabulous experience for our dog and for us. The field trips and classes have made all the difference in the world and we are confident Jett will pass his therapy test at age one. And, as a bonus, it’s given us a wonderful, well-rounded puppy at home. That alone is worth joining the Pup’prentice Project!

Brian and Cathy Daly

When your puppy reaches one year old, s/he should be well prepared to take and pass the Reading with Rover pet therapy evaluation test or the Delta Society® Pet Partner® evaluation––or both! Pup’prentice Project dogs are expected to maintain their training during their participation in the Pup’prentice Project and beyond at least until they are one year old.

Is there a cost involved? Yes. To be involved with the Pup’prentice Project we ask that you commit to a three month membership and the cost is $150.00^*. After your three month Pup’prentice Project is complete you are welcome to attend the field trips for an additional fee of $25.00 per field trip. Additional costs involved:
   Training vest: $50.00
   Training leash: $27.00
   ^*Additional Handler: $25 per month

Being a Pup’prentice also has it’s perks! You will receive $150 worth of coupons good at any of our network of vendors. The coupons will be sent to you via email in PDF format when you begin your Pup’prentice Project.

When can my puppy/dog take the pet therapy test? Your dog must be a minimum of one year old to take the therapy test. When your puppy is 12 months old s/he is eligible for the pet therapy evaluation test. If your puppy is not yet ready to take the test, simply continue training until s/he is ready and you may test at that time.

What is the minimum age my puppy must be to participate in the Pup’prentice Project? We have puppies as young as 12 weeks old go through the program and then pass the test at one year old! It’s important to maintain your pup’s training while learning the test elements. Practicing in public places with your Pup’prentice Project group and seeking our support are a huge beneficial jumpstart to successful testing for pet therapy. Being a part of the Pup’prentice Project is not a replacement for training. We want you to be enrolled in puppy/dog training classes also. Pup’prentice Project is in addition to your regular basic obedience training. We are excited to help coach you along this journey and it should be fun! We will be meeting up for a field trip or two each month. Most months you will have two field trip dates from which to choose. In most cases the meetings are the first Sunday of each month. Holidays may affect our meeting days.

If you are interested in your puppy or young dog entering the Puppy Manners Pup’prentice Project, please call 425.482.1057 or email becky@puppymanners.com or annemarie@puppymanners.com for more details. More info is also available at www.pupprentice.com.