Breeder Caretakers
Being a Breeder Caretaker is one of many ways in which you can volunteer at PADS (see "Get Involved" for other volunteer opportunities).
Breeding dogs are very important to the PADS program as they help us to develop puppies that possess the physical qualities, health and temperament that we require in exceptional service dogs. Breeder caretakers have a wonderful opportunity, not only to provide a loving life-long home to the breeding dog, but also to give a wonderful start to puppies who will go on to provide an increased independence to our clients.
Breeder Caretaker Qualifications
To allow a breeding dog and her puppies the best possible environment, the living situation and lifestyle of potential breeder caretakers must meet the following minimum standards:
- PADS breeder caretakers will need to be home full time with puppies for 8-16 weeks per year. The most suitable homes are those where at least one adult does not work outside the home.
- Attendance at weekly obedience classes on Monday or Tuesday evening and monthly field trips is mandatory. This enables the instructors to monitor the dog's progress and assist you with problems as they arise. It also enables the instructors to ensure that the dog has qualities that we would like to pass on to future generations, which will help them to decide whether or not to breed the dog on upcoming heats. The dog is excused from puppy class when she is in heat, pregnant or nursing.
- Breeder caretakers must be willing to participate in local mall displays and special events.
- PADS provides the dog's kennel, cape, food, vaccinations, x-rays and other pre-breeding health checks and spaying at the end of their breeding career. We do ask that breeder caretakers be willing to purchase basic supplies such as collars, leashes, haltis, etc. All costs associated with breeding and whelping will be borne by PADS. Additional medical care, including injuries, eye infections, emergency treatment, sickness not associated with breeding or whelping, flea control, etc. are the responsibility of the breeder caretaker. A charitable tax receipt is available on a yearly basis for all expenses associated with the breeding dog (up until the time she is retired) with submission of receipts.
- A PADS breeding dog will not be placed in a home where there is more than 1 other dog in residence, where a dog is under 12 months of age, or where an animal is not spayed or neutered. Cats and other small animals are acceptable as this is great socialization for the dog. You must provide (at your home interview) copies of spay and neuter certificates and up-to-date vaccination certificates for all animals in your home.
- If you are renting your property, a letter of permission from your landlord is required (before your home interview) stating that they agree to our dog being present in your home on a full-time basis, and to having a litter of puppies in the home up to twice a year.
- A home with a fenced yard is not mandatory to be a breeder caretaker, however breeder caretakers without a fenced yard must toilet the dog on leash, in a designated safe area. Puppies will not be allowed to run free on the property; they must be enclosed in an X-pen or other safe, puppy-proof enclosure approved by PADS when they are outside.
- All members of the family must agree to be supportive of the principal breeder caretaker by assisting with the dog's basic obedience and in socializing the puppies. Children may be involved with the dog's training and with the care and socialization of the puppies, although an adult must be present to supervise and an adult must be the primary caretaker for the breeding dog and puppies.
- Breeding dogs are awarded the same privileges as puppies-in-training. They will wear a PADS cape, and the breeder caretakers will carry identification from PADS and the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Breeding dogs need to receive frequent socialization, which means that our dog should accompany you on a daily basis. For example, the dog must be exposed to shopping malls, grocery stores, buses, doctor's and dentist's offices, theatres, movies, restaurants, elevators and sporting events. We must be assured that loud noises and crowded areas are not a distraction and that the dog is trained to behave appropriately in public.
- Public access is suspended during heats (estrous) and while a breeding dog is nursing. Public access may also be suspended at any time in a dog's pregnancy, at the discretion of PADS staff or veterinarian, and will be removed three weeks before the dog's anticipated due date.
- If your vacation plans do not include the breeding dog, she must be boarded with one of our volunteer puppy-sitters, selected by PADS, or else boarded at the PADS facility.
- The breeding dog must sleep in a kennel in your bedroom.
- Due to a liability issue, a PADS breeding dog cannot be placed in a home where daycare is offered.
- If the breeding dog is not being trained, socialized, cared for or handled to our expectations, or your work or home situation changes we may have to remove the dog from your care.
Breeding dogs remain the property of PADS until they are retired or released from the program. If the dog is fully owned by PADS the dog will be spayed at this time, and will be adopted out to the breeder caretakers. At this point, the dog becomes a family pet and no longer has public access and ceases to be PADS' responsibility. Dogs that are shared between PADS and their breeder may be returned to the breeder to use in their breeding program.
Dogs are selected for the breeding program based on a number of desirable traits. However, being selected is no guarantee that a dog will be used, or that she won't develop behaviour problems or health problems that would preclude her being used as breeding stock. If the dog is young enough (under 3 years) and is deemed suitable for either a hearing or service dog it will be turned over to PADS for training. If the dog's problems make her unsuitable for assistance dog work she will be spayed and adopted out to the breeder caretaker.
Breeding dogs have yearly pre-breeding exams to determine if their health permits them to have puppies. In the case of making this decision the PADS-appointed veterinarian is given sole discretion. This pre-breeding exam may include specific tests performed by specialists, including, but not limited to, yearly eye certification. Some tests may be breed specific. Some of these clearances are only necessary once, while others need yearly testing. A dog that fails any health clearance will be released from the breeding program. The same is required of any stud dog used in a PADS breeding.
In addition to genetic health tests (eg. eye, heart, hip and elbow) for problems that may be passed on to their puppies, breeding dogs must also be tested for infectious and sexually transmitted diseases. The same is required of any stud dog used in a PADS breeding.
Breeding dogs are constantly assessed for temperament by PADS instructors, and may be required to spend some time at the PADS training centre from time to time for assessment. If PADS decides that a dog's temperament is unsuitable for breeding, the dog will not be bred, regardless of whether or not she has been bred in the past. Breeding dogs must exhibit behaviour expected of an assistance dog. They must not exhibit any aggressive tendencies, excessive shyness, stubbornness or unwillingness to work, fear or timidity. They must enjoy meeting and interacting with all people, regardless of age, disability, gender or ethnic background. They must have an aptitude to do the work their puppies will be doing.
Whelping
The whelping of puppies will be done by the PADS staff, who will make themselves readily available to breeder caretakers throughout the pregnancy, birth and while the puppies are on the ground. The breeder caretakers may be involved in the delivery if they wish and as long as the whelping is progressing smoothly and safely.
Whelping may take place in the breeder caretaker's home, in a specified whelping home, or at the PADS facility. Where the dog will whelp is at the discretion of the PADS staff, taking into account the dog's health, the well-being of the puppies, the lifestyle of the breeder caretaker, the way we intend to raise the puppies and many other considerations. Prior to a breeding taking place the breeder caretaker will be informed regarding where the whelping is to take place. A dog will not necessarily always whelp in the same location.
Some litters may be born at the PADS facility or transferred to the PADS facility at the age of 4 weeks to begin their skills training. These puppies will either be placed in the homes of puppy-raisers between 8 and 9.5 weeks of age, or will remain at the PADS facility in training until 5 months of age, at which time they will be placed with puppy-raisers.
If the puppies are whelped in the home of the breeder caretaker, the PADS staff must be allowed to visit the breeder and puppies at any reasonable time from just prior to birth until the puppies leave the home. The breeder caretaker must also be willing to have PADS volunteers come to their house to socialize with the puppies on a regular basis from the time the puppies are 4 weeks old onwards.”
The breeding dog must display appropriate maternal behaviour. If she is deemed to not be a good mother she will not be bred again. If she is placing her puppies in danger, the puppies will be removed for their own safety.
All puppies produced by the dog are the property of PADS, except where an agreement exists with the dog's breeder whereby the litter is to be shared between the breeder and PADS. Puppies that are deemed unsuitable for the program may be sold to pet homes. Sickly or deformed puppies may be euthanized at the discretion of the PADS vet.
The breeder caretaker is provided with a whelping manual, directions from the PADS staff, hands-on help from the PADS staff, a complete list of emergency phone numbers, and whatever guidance the PADS staff or appointed veterinarian is able to give. Puppies must be raised and cared for in the way outlined in the PADS Whelping Manual.