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Why should I donate to Arizona Goldens LLC?
There is a huge part of American society that struggles with daily tasks such as picking up fallen items; grocery shopping; hearing a doorbell or phone ringing. An individual's disability not only drastically affects their life, but also the lives of family, friends, and support groups. Many disabled individuals reliant on their support group's help in dealing with daily life. Due to the disability and the reliance on help, many individuals retreat within themselves and their environment. Our organization will help them regain their independence, mobility and give them a tool to experience the world around them with our service dogs.
According to the 2000 US Census, one out of every 5 people has a disability that impacts their life. In our country 21.2 million people have a disability that is limiting basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting or carrying. Of these millions of Americans with a disability only a small fraction of them will ever receive a service dog in their lifetime due to the small percentage of trained service dogs available. Training organizations for service dogs only graduate a few dogs per year but the demand for highly trained service dogs is increasing.
Arizona Goldens LLC wants to help others improve their lives by providing services and service dogs that will help regain their independence, mobility, and give them the added experience of having the unconditional love and companionship of a service dog.
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How do I get involved with AZG?
We welcome your help, there are many things you can do to make a difference. Some ideas on how you can help are to can become a puppy raiser or puppy sitter; donate money, puppy toys or other items; couple hours a week to help office work; donating your professional services, provide a meeting location; sponsor a puppy; help staff informational booths at events; or else help with fundraising activities. Please contact us if you would like to help!
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How long does it take to train a service dog?
A service dog is trained in 90 different commands. We begin positive training techniques at 3 weeks of age. Puppies are place in raiser homes between 7-8 weeks to begin their next stage of training. However, a dog is not placed with a disabled individual until they are about 1 1/2 to 2 years old. Our dogs need to reach their physical and emotional maturity so they can be properly placed with the right person.
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Why do service dogs have to wear a vest?
Their vest is used for multiple reasons. First, it identifies them as being a Service Dog so they are allowed public access. Next, it acts as their backpack to carry things such as a copy of the law, other important papers as well as their clean up kits. Plus, the vest lets you know which organization trained this amazing dog.
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Do the dogs get to have any fun?
Yes, of course! They have down time to just be dogs. They love dragging out their toys and having a good chew on a bone after working away from home all day. But unlike us, they are having fun all day too while away from home with you. True they are on duty (working) when out in public but from a dog view it is the ideal life. They get to spend time with you all day, they get to go places with you and not be left home for hours while you are at work. They are very well cared for and loved.
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Who pays expenses for the dog?
AZG pays for OFA and PennHip X-rays, CERF eye exams, OFA heart and thyroid exams at approved vets only! We ask volunteers to pay for food, general care vet bills (vaccination, heartworm, flea/ tick preventives, yearly heartworm and fecal tests, spay or neuter if AZG requests, etc.) and other miscellaneous needs (toys, approved training equipment, etc.)
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What do you mean indoor dog? Does this mean I can not leave my dog in the yard during the day?
AZG dogs are raised as service dog puppies and are accustomed to being in close company with their humans. As such, they are accustomed to living and sleeping in the house, taking rides in the car and going all sorts of places. Your AZG puppy needs to sleep near you and hang out where the family hangs out. Moreover, many of our puppies in training are still being concerned for our breeder program while being raise as service dogs. These dogs are fertile, and fertile dogs have amazing resourcefulness when it comes to reproductive opportunities. So, your AZG puppy may not be left in the yard when you are not at home, overnight, etc.
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Can I take my AZG puppy to work/school/shops/etc with me?
Yes, service dogs for people with a disability have access to all public businesses. Access laws do cover service dogs in-training also in Arizona. Arizona has a state access law in addition to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act which gives service dogs in-training the same rights as certified service dogs. However, these laws are precious to those with disabilities do not abuse the right to access.
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Can I have a AZG Dog if I have another dog?
Maybe, it depends on the dogs. All pet dogs will be evaluated by AZG staff to ensure that they are non aggressive and friendly toward other dogs. You will be asked to provide vaccination records for your pets as well. AZG staff members make decisions about which dogs can be housed with other dogs on a case by case basis, as our experience dictates. All placements are subject to change.
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If I raise a AZG puppy and it is chosen for the breeding program, can I be its breeder caregiver?
Possibly, but it is not guaranteed. The roles of puppy raiser and breeder caregiver are quite different, and different selection criteria are used in choosing appropriate homes for pups and breeders. Puppy raisers may apply to become a breeder caregiver when their pup is grown. The suitability of the home environment, the mature temperament of the dog, its relationship with the host family, and the relationship between the volunteer and AZG staff along with the puppy raiser meeting attendance record all factor into the decision.
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Can I have a AZG breeder and also be a Puppy Raiser?
On occasion a family can do both, but generally that is not the case. The pups that we raise for service dogs are being evaluated not only for workability but also for potential as future breeders.
We do not normally place puppies in homes with other intact (not spayed/neutered) dogs, so that will rule out most of these scenarios. We would never, never raise a puppy in the same home as its mom, even if mom is being spayed after that litter.
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What are the approved training methods?
AZG dogs are trained with positive reinforcement such as praise, affection, play and treats. We use a similar method to clicker training for initial behavior shaping (taught at AZG training classes), and we also use conventional rewards-based methods as dogs increase their mastery of new skills.
We never allow our dogs to be struck, yelled at, ear-pinched or placed in electronic shock collars. Our dogs are selected in large measure on their responsiveness and trainability. We expect our dogs to have good manners at home and in public. All AZG volunteers are taught appropriate training and handling methods before receiving their dogs in our puppy sitting program and continue their education during the on-going training meetings required to be attended by our puppy raisers.
The use of any unapproved methods is grounds for removal of our dog(s) from the volunteer's home with or with out prior notice.
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There are several references given to possible removal of a AZG Dog from a volunteer home. What would cause this?
Our dogs are the most important asset in our business, and we are highly selective about how well they are cared along with whether their physical, mental and emotional needs are being met. Though these dogs currently do not serve people with disabilities yet, they must be healthy and confident enough to do just that. The way our puppies are handled can make a huge difference in the temperament of puppies.
Any indication that our dogs are being handled or trained with unapproved methods, are not being exercised or groomed regularly, or are being neglected in any way is grounds for immediate removal. In addition, the relationship between all involved the raiser family, the AZG staff and volunteers must remain friendly, cooperative and easy to manage. These dogs ARE our business, and their happiness and health is our highest priority. You also as a raiser/volunteer must follow all AZG guidelines and rules which includes attending training meetings on regular bases (minimum 2 out of every 3 meetings a month).
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How will you know if a dog is not being kept according to AZG standards?
The answer to that question is easy -- the dogs tell us! All dogs are evaluated by a AZG staff members periodically throughout the training process. We know the dogs and have good relationships with them, making it easy to spot the tell-tale signs of neglect, abuse, or lack of training. For the most part, however, our volunteers are amazingly good people, and usually do not have any problems. If they can not keep a dog according to the standards, they step up and ask for help or have us re-home the dog. In addition, we reserve the right to drop in for an inspection or to request a special evaluation of our dog and their raiser's homes at any time.
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What if something changes or this does not work out for me and I can not keep my AZG Dog?
Not a problem. We will re-home your dog no questions asked. In fact, we would rather have you voluntarily tell us you do not have time, your situations change in your personal life, or do not like the dog than see their health and spirits deteriorate. In our book, it is honorable to tell us you can not fulfill your commitment, but it is dishonorable to not keep your commitment and not give us the chance to do right by the dog. We do require that when you return the AZG dog, that you provide a copy of their veterinary history.
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Are there other requirements for becoming a AZG Puppy Raiser?
Yes. You will be given plenty of notice when your AZG dog is scheduled for veterinary care (shots, etc.), and we ask you to manage getting them in on time. All dogs are required to have vaccines up to date at all times. For puppies this will involve a series of puppy vaccines and certifications (eyes, heart, hips, etc). You also must do yearly heartworm checks and fecal exams on your AZG dog. Every time you take a AZG dog in-training to the vets, even for vaccination we require the vet to fill out a vet report form, those forms must be mailed or faxed to AZG within 24 hours after the visit. These forms help us keep each dogs records up-to-date, so please send AZG a note if you also have to get any medication refilled.
Occasionally, we may ask to borrow your dog (and you!) for publicity events ranging from fund-raising to press interviews to meet and greet parties.
What happens to the dogs that are released from Arizona Goldens LLC?
Dogs that do not make it as service dogs are first offered to the puppy raiser of the dog released. If the raiser chooses not to adopt the dog they raised then the dog is release for public adoption for a cost starting at $1,000.00 depending on the level of training and what expenses have been incurred for a particular dog.
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What are the minimum day-to-day responsibilities of Puppy Raiser?
All in all, you need to plan for a minimum of one hour a day to care for your AZG dog. Your AZG dog needs to be fed twice a day or if a puppy less than 4 months old than 3 times a day. Exercise is critical for our dogs, a 30 minute walk for a dog with public outings status, a game of controlled retrieving or gentle play is critical. Our dogs are not permitted to go on bike rides with their puppy raisers. Long runs or walk such as marathons or runs over 3 miles in length with your young puppy need pre-approved because it can result in repetitive stress injuries, joint formation injuries, or excessive wearing of the pads on their feet.
Dogs need to be brushed and handled each day; we will teach you how to make sure your AZG dog does not mind being touched by the vet, staff, etc. A quick 5-minute obedience session before breakfast and/or dinner will help your dog remember the basic Sit/Down/Stay/Come commands but you should also work on other commands daily like Get It, Bring, Light, Tug, etc. A few minutes of play and snuggling in the evening are a good idea. Puppy Handling is a must and is a great relaxing way for both human and pup to bond.
When no one is home, the dog is required to be left in a crate or AZG-approved dog run. Dogs over 12 months may be confined in a particular room, or lose in the house ONLY if they have shown they are mature enough for this privilege and have been pre-approved by AZG staff. Remember some dogs do not fully mature until 2 years old or sometime never can handle being left loose when alone.
For at least the first 2 months you have your AZG dog, they may not be left alone with your other pet dogs, some dogs, may never be able to be left alone with another dog or out loose in your home.
On a weekly basis, AZG dogs must have their nails clipped, ears cleaned and teeth brushed (teeth are best done daily but at least weekly). Again, we will show you how. This takes 20-35 minutes each week. If you decide to take the AZG dog to a groomer, then raiser is responsible for all payment to the groomers.
Dogs with public access privileges should have interaction with other healthy dogs and humans outside your home on a weekly basis. This might mean a trip to the store or walk around the neighborhood. NO DOG PARKS ALLOWED, NO EXCEPTION! Another great experience is taking your dog with you when you visit friends who own nice, non-aggressive, vaccinated dogs. This is critical to your dog's social development and to making sure your dog remains confident around others. We recommend taking your AZG dog in-training to a new place once a week to keep up their ability to handle new places. New places should vary in activity level; sometimes quiet places like a library other times take in busy location like a mall or a school concert.
AZG dogs must also remain comfortable with confinement. Your AZG dog in-training must spend an average of 2 waking hours every other day in his/her crate/kennel (with the door latched). When doing crate practice vary the time in the crate between times you are at home and times you are away from home. It is important a service dog is content to be crated both while people are home as well as when no one is home. AZG staff will train you on maintaining crate training. Crate (kennel) training is required. All crates must have doors on them, be secure, in good working shape, and kept clean for the dog. Crate training is good for the dogs, it provides them a quiet, safe place to go when they get tired or stressed out. By the time AZG puppies are grown, they love going into the kennel on their own.
Attendance of a minimum 2 out of every 3 meetings a month is required for raisers. This allows our puppy raisers to keep working on improving your dog handling skills and to help us continue to evaluate the health and temperament of our dogs as they grow and mature. These meetings are a requirement, and AZG may re-home a dog if this requirement is consistently disregarded, attendance is taken!
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