Puppy Raising Dictionary

The Pups

Service Dog in Training (SDiT) - a dog in training to be an assistance dog for a disabed individual Pup in Program (PIP) - an SDiT currently being raised for an assistance dog organization Future Leader Dog (FLD) - a guide dog in training for Leader Dogs for the Blind

Program Puppy - an SDiT being raised by a puppy raiser through an assistance dog organization.

The Volunteers

Puppy Raiser (PR)/Puppy Parent (PP) - an individual (typically a volunteer) who raises an SDiT

Weekend Raiser- a puppy raiser that only has the puppy on the weekend. Typically this phrase is associated with the prison program and the puppy is with its inmate raiser during the week.

Co-Raiser - when two or more people raise a puppy together and share financial responsibility

Secondary - a person who is the designated sitter for an SDiT but not registered as a raiser. They may not be financially responsible for the puppy.

Inmate Raiser - a person who puppy raises while serving time in Prison. Many organizations have Prison Programs with Inmate Raisers.

Furlough - a puppy raiser who temporarily has an SDiT while they are away from their raiser. This term is typically used with prison programs.

Camper - a short term puppy sitter depending on the group/org campers may also work on behavioral problems

Temp Home - a volunteer who has the SDiT for anywhere from a week to a few months. They may just be sitting the pup until they are ready for their next phase of training or they may be assessing their behavior and house manners.

Finishing Home - a puppy raiser who did not start raising the SDiT from 8-16 weeks old but is raising the puppy until they go into formal training.

Puppy Starter/Starter Home - Someone who raises the SDiT for the first part of their training and then hands the puppy off to another raiser until they go into formal training.

Finding a Career

In For Training (IFT)/Matriculation - when an SDiT leaves their puppy raiser and goes back to their assistance dog organization headquarters to train with a professional trainer before being placed as an assistance dog.

Formal Training/Advanced Training - the months when an SDiT is working with a professional trainer before being placed as an assistance dog. On Class/Team Training - the week(s) when a SDiT meets their match and they work together with trainers before graduating together.

Change of Career (COC)/Released/Career Changed (CC) - when a dog is no longer in training for the org you were originally raising it for. The dog may now be a pet or a working dog for a different organization with a different mission.

Programs

Prison Program - a service dog training program where the raisers are approved inmates. The dogs typically spend the majority of their time with their inmate handler in prison and some time with a weekend or furlough raiser who socializes them to life outside of prison.

STEP - Service dog Training and Education Program - a service dog training club that strives to teach its members (many of who are puppy raisers or sitters) about service dogs and training service dogs. STEP clubs typically welcome puppy raisers and trained service dogs from any organization.

MSA - Michael Stapleton Associates; MSA Security; Windsor Canine Program, a program that SDiTs may get career changed to if they are higher energy and/or thoroughly enjoy using their nose. Dogs are trained as explosive detection dogs and work in professional sports stadiums, airports, amphitheaters, cargo facilities, loading docks and more.

ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Explosive Detection Canines Program; a program that SDiTs may get career changed to if they are higher energy and/or thoroughly enjoy using their nose. Dogs are trained for local, state, federal and international law enforcement, fire investigation agencies and the military as explosives and accelerant detection dogs.

Organizations

AVD - America's Vet Dogs; an organization located in Long Island, NY that trains and places service dogs for veterans and first responders. It is the sister organization to GDF.

GDA - Guide Dogs of America; an organization located in California that trains and places guide dogs. It is the sister organization to TLC. GDB - Guide Dogs for the Blind; an organization located in California that trains and places guide dogs. GDF - Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind; an organization located in Long Island, NY that trains and places guide dogs. It is the sister organization to AVD. GEB - Guiding Eyes for the Blind; an organization located in New York that trains and places guide dogs. SEGD - Southeastern Guide Dogs; an organization located in Florida that trains and places guide and service dogs TLC - Tender Loving Canines; an organization located in California that trains and places service dogs for veterans and first responders. It is the sister organization to GDA.

TSE - The Seeing Eye; an organization located in Morristown, NJ that trains and places guide dogs. USVSD - United States Veterans Service Dogs; an organization located in Louisiana that trains and places service dogs for veterans.

Training and Cues

LLW - Loose Leash Walking; when there is no tension on the leash

Tie-Down/Tether - a leash or cord that is wrapped around a sturdy object that only allows a puppy to go so far

Outing - a trip to a public place with your SDiT Busy/Better Hurry/Hurry/Park - a cue to tell your dog to go to the bathroom. Each org has a specific cue they use.

Placements

Facility Dog - a task trained dog who works at a certain institution and performs tasks to help that population. Every facility dog has a handler or facilitator that handles the dog in the facility and brings them home at night. Facility Dogs may work in health care settings, schools, or other centers. Military Family Support Dog (MFSD) - a dog that can perform tasks to help with the family of an active duty service member or veteran but only in the house or pet friendly establishments

Home Companion Dog/In-Home Skilled Companion/Skilled Home Companion - a dog that can perform tasks to mitigate a disability but only in the house or pet friendly establishments Skilled Companions - work with an adult or child with a disability, under the guidance of a facilitator. A facilitator is typically a parent, spouse or caregiver who lives in the same household as the recipient and cares for the assistance dog. Like a service dog they help mitigate the recipient’s disability through tasks and they may have public access. Skilled Companions are placed through Canine Companions.

Staff Members

Puppy Program Manager (PPM) - this varies from org to org but it can be the person in charge of all puppy raisers and SDiTs or the person in charge of a region of puppy raisers and SDiTs.

Area Coordinator (AC) - this varies from org to org but it can be a staff member in charge of a region of puppy raisers and SDiTs who may lead classes or a volunteer who assists a Puppy Program Manager or Rep in leading classes and helping puppy raisers in their area. Group Leader (GL) - typically this a volunteer who assists an Area Coordinator in leading classes and helping puppy raisers in their area. Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) - a staff member at a guide dog organization that has gone through years of training and testing to become certified in training guide dogs and placing guide dog teams. Apprentice - a trainer in training. This term is used both with GDMIs and future service dog training instructors. They go through a few years of training and testing before they are signed off to work independently in their chosen field.

See a term that's not listed? or a term that has another meaning? Send us an email at info@pawsibleinc.org