Do I need to live in a specific area to become a socialiser?
Yes, we will consider you as a socialiser if you live within one of our catchment areas around the country. The areas are Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Cambridge, Devon, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Yorkshire.
Am I able to socialise if I have children?
Yes. We actively encourage children to be involved in the socialising of puppies. However we ask that you take very careful consideration when applying if you have children of pre-school age. Please discuss any queries with a member of staff during the application process.
Am I able to socialise if I have pets? (e.g. dog, cat, fish, caged animals, chickens)
Yes. If you have a pet dog we will need to assess their temperament before we can place a puppy with you. We will give advice on pet safety for smaller animals at the Home Evaluation stage of the application process.
How long will I have the dog for?
You may have one of our pups for a period of up to 12 months.
What type of dog might I get?
Typically we train Labradors, Golden Retrievers, English Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. We do also train a small number of Labrador crosses and Cocker crosses alongside these breeds in order to ensure we have the right dog to match each and all of our applicants. Pups enter the socialising scheme at around eight weeks of age.
Are the puppies/dogs housetrained when they arrive?
Not usually, we will provide guidance on how to housetrain your pup.
Will I incur any costs?
No, other than your time. We will provide food, bedding, toys and equipment and will pay for veterinary expenses and related travel expenses. You can claim up to £3.00 per week for extra items such as treats and poo bags, receipts will need to be provided.
How often do I have to attend puppy classes?
You are required to attend once every two weeks. They are held during the day, Monday to Friday.
Can I leave the dog alone at home?
We ask that the puppies/dogs are not left alone frequently however they do need to learn to be alone. Our pups can be left for up to three hours, any period of time longer than that would need to be discussed with your Socialising Trainer. This means we cannot consider your application if you work full time, but part time workers may be considered.
How often can I expect home visits?
Your Socialising Trainer will visit you and your puppy at home once every six weeks, or more if extra support is required. This is to give you one to one advice and allows the Socialising Trainer to see the puppy/dog in its’ home environment.
Where can I take my puppy/dog?
Our puppies/dogs need to grow up in varied environments. We will advise and support you on gradual introduction to a range of situations that they will encounter as a working dog e.g. town, travel, shops, people and animals.
Is there any other criteria I must meet before I can apply to become a puppy socialiser?
Yes. You must meet the following criteria:
- You must be able to dedicate time to training and socialising your puppy on a daily basis.
- You must have a safe and secure garden that is directly accessible from your house.
- You must have access to a vehicle at all times.
- You must be over 18 years of age.
