Young Puppy Trainers house puppies before they go into our Prison Program (pups will typically be two months old when they go to the YPT and 5-8 months when they go into the Prison Program). Trainers have weekly assignments which include housebreaking, crate training, and off-leash walks. Trainers do not take puppies into public settings where pet dogs are not allowed (such as restaurants or stores where pet dogs are not alllowed) as a part of routine training.

• Trainers make approximately a four month commitment when a puppy is placed in their home.
• Trainers are responsible for taking their pups to vet appointments (generally 3-4 times over the course of the pup’s time with you). EENP covers the cost of vet care.
• Trainers are responsible for getting their pup to EENP for a monthly health check. The health check may coincide with a vet visit, but will not always.
• [Currently not happening because of the pandemic] Trainers must be able to bring their EENP pups to our office on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with drop-off generally at 9 am and pick-up generally at 4 pm. This will not be needed every week, but pups will be needed in the office on those days for at least two months of their time with you.
• EENP pups do not mouth/bite or chase other dogs. Volunteers who have other dogs need to consult with EENP about whether this volunteer position is a good fit for their households.
• Trainers do not take puppies into public settings where pet dogs are not allowed (such as restaurants or stores where pet dogs are not allowed) as a part of routine training. Trainers are not allowed to take their dogs on buses except when supervised by an EENP staff trainer.
• Trainers must regularly attend group training classes with their pups. These are currently on Wednesday evenings. Due to the pandemic, group classes are generally held by Zoom. When conditions safely allow it, the youngest pups train at EENP’s office while the older pups will have class at field trip locations sometimes.
• Trainers must be able to bring their pups to PR events from time to time (generally about 1-2 times per month).
• Trainers must be able to complete weekly training assignments and be willing to follow EENP’s instructions.